EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The NCAA successfully passed a vote to make STUNT a championship sport in Divisions I, II, and III, the association announced Friday. The first NCAA championship for the sport is projected for Spring 2027.

The rapid growth of STUNT during its first year as an emerging sport in all three divisions led to it crossing the benchmark of 40 meeting minimum contest and participant requirements. The sport joined the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2023 in Divisions I and II, and was later added in 2024 by Division III.

"The addition of stunt as an NCAA championship sport reflects our ongoing effort to grow and elevate women's athletics," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. "This milestone is built on the collaboration and vision from those who believed in expanding opportunities for women in college sports. We are excited to provide a platform for these talented athletes to compete at the highest level."

USA Cheer is the governing body for the sport at the collegiate level and has continued to grow through high school and club pipelines.

"This moment represents the culmination of more than a decade and a half of intentional development," said Lauri Harris, executive director of USA Cheer. "Stunt was created to give female athletes a legitimate, competitive pathway at the collegiate level — one rooted in strategy, objectivity, and opportunity. Advancing to NCAA championship status validates that vision and the thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, and institutions who helped build this sport."

With Divisions I, II, and III all sponsoring and approving legislation, a National Collegiate Championship can now be created to have student-athletes across all three levels competing for one championship.

"Designating stunt as an NCAA championship opens new doors for women across the country to compete at the highest level. It's the result of years of dedication from coaches, administrators, and student-athletes who share a common goal: creating more opportunities for young women to thrive in college athletics," said Lynda Tealer, senior vice president of championships at the NCAA.
Sponsorship and participation in emerging sports increased by more than 20% in 2024-25, with nearly 7,000 athletes participating across all three divisions. These rates coincide with an increase in student-athlete participation across all three divisions. In the 2025-26 academic year, Division I schools are projected to offer more than 1,000 new opportunities to play sports as compared with 2024-25. Additionally, new Division I schools plan to add 110 more teams and more than 3,200 additional participation opportunities than were available in 2024-25. These sports offerings have increased over the past eight years.