Louisiana High School Cheer & Dance Championships Return to Southwest Louisiana
Jun 12, 2026 02:17PM ● By Kelsey Swire
Visit Lake Charles, in partnership with the City of Lake Charles, will host the 2026 and 2027 Louisiana High School Cheer & Dance Championships, marking the first time since 2013 that the event will return to Southwest Louisiana.
The 2026 championships are expected to bring more than 100 cheer and dance teams to the Lake Charles Event Center on Monday, Nov. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026.
“Events like the Louisiana High School Cheer & Dance Championships are about more than what happens during competition,” said Kyle Edmiston, president and CEO of Visit Lake Charles. “They are built on the relationships and strategy needed to bring impactful events to Lake Charles and create opportunities for visitors from across the state to experience Southwest Louisiana. The goal is to turn that championship visit into a lasting impression that brings them back.”
Cheer and dance championships are part of the broader youth and amateur sports tourism landscape. According to Sports ETA’s 2026 State of the Industry Report, participatory sports tourism generated $149.1 billion in total economic impact in the U.S.
The cheer competition will take place inside the Lake Charles Event Center’s Sudduth Coliseum, while the dance portion of the event will be held in Rosa Hart Theatre.
“We are proud to partner with Visit Lake Charles to host the Louisiana High School Cheer & Dance Championships,” said Lake Charles Mayor Marshall Simien. “Events like this showcase the value of the Lake Charles Event Center and the role our city venues play in bringing people together.”
The event debuted in Lake Charles in 2011 and was held again in 2012 and 2013. Its return reflects the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority’s ongoing efforts to attract competitive events, build relationships with event organizers and position Southwest Louisiana as a premier host destination.
“Bringing this championship back to Southwest Louisiana is a big win for our community,” said Eric Zartler, senior vice president of sports at Visit Lake Charles and executive director of the Lake Charles Regional Sports Authority. “Having this event return to Lake Charles more than a decade later says a lot about the experience our community can provide. These student-athletes work hard for moments like this, and we look forward to giving them a championship they will remember.”
“Competitive cheer and dance are back!! And I’m fired up about it. It’s time,” said Jessica Barber, executive director of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association. “These athletes train at the highest level and deserve to compete under the bright lights. There’s no better place than Lake Charles, Louisiana’s Playground, for them to be able to do just that. Bringing this championship back to the LHSAA stage is HUGE. I want to thank the LHSAA and the spirit community for trusting the vision and helping lead the charge to make this happen. Together, we’re elevating these programs and giving athletes the platform they’ve earned while teaming up with Lake Charles to bring this same energy to their community.”
Tickets for the 2026 Louisiana High School Cheer & Dance Championships will be available through Ticketmaster.