NJCAA Announces 2026 Competitive Cheer Invitational Host Site
Charlotte, NC – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced that the 2026 Competitive Cheer Invitational will be held February 4 -7 at the Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. This is our second invitational for this sport after hosting the inaugural event at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah last season. Trinity Valley Community College won the first ever NJCAA Cheerleading Co-Ed Invitational and Blinn College won the first ever Women's Invitational.
Hayley Kobza, Competitive Cheer Chair stated "I think the growth that has happened in just a year's time within NJCAA Cheer truly shows that this is a sport that we want in our association. The coaches and committee are excited to see the partnership with Open Championship Series and how the National Invitational will look this year for not just the athletes but the spectators as well."
In partnership with The Open Championship Series the 2026 NJCAA Cheer Invitational will redefine competitive cheerleading by creating a platform where every athlete and team can thrive, grow, and celebrate their love for the sport. The Open Championship Series plays a critical role in delivering high-quality events that uphold the values and standards while creating memorable experiences for athletes, coaches, and spectators.
"We're thrilled to partner with the NJCAA to produce and host their National Cheer Championships. Welcoming and showcasing these collegiate athletes to our youth athletes and parents and giving them the opportunity to perform under the lights, highlights the growth of our industry and the importance of connecting all levels of the sport" stated Mathew Lunsford with The Open Championships Series.
About The Open Championship Series
Featuring a powerful network of independent event producers, The Open Championship Series spans more than 450 events worldwide, making it one of the most expansive competitive ecosystems in the industry. This reach brings high quality events closer to home for thousands of athletes, coaches, and families, while providing clear and achievable pathways to prestigious championships such as the Allstar World Championship and Prep & Rec Grand Nationals.
About Hy-Vee Arena
Located in Kansas City's Historic West Bottoms, Hy-Vee Arena is the Nation's first multi-level, multi-functional sports complex. Two separate floors house 12 hardwood maple courts, dining, businesses, and retail space offer an unparalleled experience. That's over 82,000 square feet of column free space. The four lower-level courts are striped for NBA and Collegiate regulation. The upper bowl has eight High School and Collegiate regulation courts. Courts are lined for basketball, volleyball, futsal and pickleball. In addition, the arena has one of the longest indoor tracks at 350 meters featuring five racing lanes and Mondo track surface. https://www.hy-veearena.com/overview-2/
About NJCAA
Since 1938, the NJCAA has served as the premier governing body for two-year collegiate athletics, providing student-athletes with opportunities to prepare, compete, succeed, and achieve in both their academic and athletic disciplines. The NJCAA is the second largest national intercollegiate athletic organization in the United States, with over 500 member schools and 3,400 teams competing in 28 different sports. Each year, the NJCAA sponsors 57 national championships and invitationals.
#SameGameSameRules – visit NJCAA for more information