The spirit of cheer is about to sweep through the state of Illinois as the 2025 annual high school cheerleading championship descends upon Bloomington this weekend. Just last week, it was dance, but now it’s time for cheerleading to shine. Each year, the IHSA’s high school cheerleading championship gathers the best young talents from all corners of the state for two action-packed days of competition. It’s a showcase of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship that culminates in the crowning of Illinois’ top cheerleaders.
High school teams will compete across four divisions—small, medium, large, and co-ed—along with a special segment dedicated to Special Olympics cheer teams. The event promises to be a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and sheer athleticism.
For those eager to catch all the thrilling action, the 2025 Illinois high school cheerleading championship will be available for live streaming on the NFHS Network. Unfortunately, the competition will not be broadcast on a TV channel, but fans can tune in online to witness the excitement unfold.
Mark your calendars for Friday, February 7, to Saturday, February 8, when the high school competitive cheerleading championship will take center stage. The competition will kick off on Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and continue on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. CT at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, Ill.
### A Closer Look at the Schedule
The 2025 IHSA cheerleading championship will be divided into three sessions to accommodate the various team divisions. On Friday, all team divisions (small, medium, large, co-ed) will compete in preliminary rounds, followed by the team finals on Saturday. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:
#### Friday, Feb. 7
**Session 1 — Small and Medium Team Preliminaries**
– 8:55 a.m. Welcome & National Anthem
– 9 a.m. First performance (Small and Medium alternate performances)
– 1:10 p.m. Last performance
– 1:15 p.m. Announcement of Small Division Finalists
– 1:30 p.m. Announcement of Medium Division Finalists
**Session 2 — Large and Co-Ed Team Preliminaries**
– 3:25 p.m. Welcome & National Anthem
– 3:30 p.m. First performance (Large and Co-ed alternate performances)
– 7:40 p.m. Last performance / ISU Game Day Exhibition
– 7:45 p.m. Announcement of Large Division Finalists
– 8 p.m. Announcement of Co-ed Division finalists
#### Saturday, Feb. 8
**Session 3 — Finals in all Four Divisions**
– 10:55 a.m. Welcome & National Anthem
– 11 a.m. Small and Medium team finals (performances alternate)
– 12:45 p.m. Small Team awards
– 1:15 p.m. Medium Team awards
– 2:30 p.m. ParaCheer Midwest – Without Limits Special Olympics Cheer
– 2:55 p.m. Welcome & National Anthem
– 3 p.m. Large and Co-ed Team Finals (performances alternate)
– 4:45 p.m. Large Team Awards
– 5:15 p.m. Co-ed Team Awards
As the excitement builds and the teams prepare to showcase their skills, the 2025 Illinois high school cheerleading championship promises to be a thrilling display of talent, determination, and spirit. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable event that celebrates the dedication and hard work of these young athletes. Whether you’re a fan of cheerleading or simply enjoy witnessing the power of teamwork and athleticism, this championship is sure to leave you inspired and entertained. So mark your calendars, set your reminders, and get ready to cheer on these incredible young athletes as they take the stage and compete for glory.
