If you were anywhere near the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in early March, you know the energy was basically vibrating off the walls. The NCA cheer competition 2024 wasn't just another weekend of glitter and hairspray; it was a massive, record-breaking weekend that turned into a rollercoaster for about 58,000 people.
You’ve probably seen the highlights. You might have also heard the rumors.
Honestly, the weekend of March 1-3, 2024, in Dallas was supposed to be the pinnacle of the all-star season. And for many, it was. But it also became one of the most talked-about events in cheer history for reasons that had nothing to do with a perfect toss or a "hit zero" routine.
The Chaos That Nobody Expected
Let’s just address the elephant in the room first. Saturday afternoon was scary.
Around 1:00 PM, a fight broke out between parents—yes, adults—near the escalator area. During the scuffle, two large heavy metal poles (stanchions) were knocked over. On the hard convention center floor, that sound was deafening. It sounded exactly like gunshots.
In a matter of seconds, pure pandemonium took over.
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Thousands of athletes and parents started running. People were hiding under bridges outside or barricading themselves in dressing rooms. I’ve talked to coaches who were telling their girls to just "hold hands and run." It was a traumatic hour for families who thought they were in an active shooter situation.
Fortunately, the Dallas Police confirmed no shots were ever fired. Ten people ended up in the hospital with minor injuries from the stampede, but it could have been so much worse. The NCA actually had to evacuate and cancel the rest of Saturday’s schedule.
But here is the wild part: they came back on Sunday.
Those kids, some of whom were literally sobbing in parking garages the night before, put their uniforms back on. They went out there and performed. It’s a testament to how tough these athletes are, even if the adults in the room were still feeling "gaslit" by how the situation was handled on social media.
The Routines That Actually Won
Once the mats were cleared of the Saturday chaos, the talent on display was literally insane. If you’re looking for the technical peaks of the NCA cheer competition 2024, you have to look at the scores.
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The Cheer Athletics Cheetahs (Large Coed 6) walked away as Grand Champions with a staggering 98.8500. They weren't the only ones hitting the stratosphere, though. Cheer Extreme Code Black pulled a 99.4048 in the Non-Tumbling Coed 6 division. Think about that. Out of 100 possible points, they missed less than a point. That's basically surgical precision.
Major Division Breakdown
- L6 Senior Large: The Cheer Athletics Panthers took the title again. It’s becoming a dynasty at this point.
- L6 Extra Small: South Coast Cheer Fearless secured a three-peat. Winning NCA once is hard; doing it three years in a row is legendary.
- L6 Senior Medium: ATA Atomic grabbed their first-ever NCA title. Seeing the "first-time" joy in the Arena is always a highlight.
- L6 Small Senior: East Celebrity Elite Bombshells proved why they are perennial favorites by taking home the gold.
It wasn't just about the Level 6 "Worlds" teams either. Rival Athletics Revenge (Small Junior Level 4) put up a 99.275. Even with deductions, they were nearly perfect. It’s those kinds of scores that remind you how deep the talent pool is getting in the younger divisions.
Why This Year Felt Different
NCA Dallas is always the "Big One," but 2024 felt like the stakes were higher. Varsity Spirit reported that this was a record-breaking year for attendance. We’re talking 30,000 athletes from 43 states and nine different countries.
The economic impact on Dallas was estimated at around $64 million. That's why, despite the scare on Saturday, the show had to go on. There is too much money, too much training, and too many plane tickets involved to just pack it up.
But there was a shift in the vibe.
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After the "scare," the NCA announced they’d be looking into new security measures—things like revised bag policies and stricter rules on outside alcohol. It’s a bit of a wake-up call that even a "youth sports" event needs the same level of security as a pro football game.
The "Daytona" Side of the Story
Don't get it confused—while the All-Star Nationals happened in Dallas in March, the NCA Collegiate Nationals hit Daytona Beach in April.
Weber State University continued their absolute dominance there. They posted a 98.5208 in the Advanced Large Coed IA division. If you haven't seen a Weber State routine, you’re missing out on the closest thing to human flight. Clemson University and the University of Louisville also had massive showings, with Louisville narrowly edging out Oklahoma State in the All-Girl division.
Actionable Next Steps for 2025
If you’re a parent or coach looking at the 2024 results and planning your 2025 trip, here is the reality check:
- Safety First: Talk to your athletes about emergency meeting spots. The 2024 incident showed that in a crisis, cell service can drop and groups get separated instantly. Have a "rally point" outside the convention center.
- Score Study: Look at the jump from Level 4 to Level 5 scores this year. The gap is closing. If you want to podium in 2025, your "difficulty" score isn't enough; your "execution" (technique) has to be flawless.
- Logistics: The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is huge. If you aren't staying in a "Stay and Play" hotel, you need to book parking months in advance or prepare for a 20-minute walk in your Nfinitys.
- Refund Policies: Review your gym's contract regarding event cancellations. Many parents were frustrated that only partial refunds (if any) were offered after the Saturday shutdown.
The 2024 season will be remembered for the Cheetahs' perfection, the Panthers' dominance, and a ten-minute span of chaos that reminded everyone why safety matters. It was a year of extreme highs and some very real lows, but that's exactly what makes NCA Dallas the most intense weekend in cheerleading.