The question of whether cheerleading is a sport has sparked passionate debates for years. While some argue that it lacks official recognition and competition structures, others point to its rigorous training, scoring systems, and athleticism as clear indicators that it belongs in the same category as traditional sports.
In this blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons of classifying cheerleading as a sport, explore the different types of cheer, and highlight the intensity and skill level required to succeed in this highly competitive field.
The Debate: Should Cheerleading Be Considered a Sport?
Pros of Cheerleading Being a Sport
- Athleticism & Physical Demand – Cheerleading requires extreme strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination, just like gymnastics or dance.
- Competitive Structure – Competitive cheerleading follows strict scoring, judging, and qualification systems, similar to traditional sports.
- Risk of Injury – Cheerleading is one of the most dangerous sports in terms of injury rates, requiring athletes to train rigorously to prevent serious accidents.
- Teamwork & Discipline – Athletes must work as a unit, executing stunts, tumbling, and choreography with precision.
Cons of Cheerleading Being a Sport
- Not Officially Recognized Everywhere – While USA Cheer & the International Olympic Committee (IOC)acknowledge it as a sport, it’s still not officially sanctioned by all athletic organizations.
- Sideline Cheer is Not Competitive – Traditional sideline cheer focuses on school spirit, not scoring or structured competition.
- Varied Regulations – Unlike basketball or football, cheerleading does not have a unified governing body across all levels.
Breaking Down Cheerleading: Sideline, Competitive, & All-Star
Not all cheerleading is the same! As we’ve covered on a previous entry, there are three primary types of cheerleading:
Sideline Cheerleading
- Focus: Supporting teams at games, boosting school spirit
- No official scoring or competition
- Emphasizes chants, motions, and crowd engagement
- Typically associated with high school and college teams
Competitive Cheerleading
- Focus: Performing routines in judged competitions
- Scored based on difficulty, execution, and creativity
- Includes stunts, pyramids, tumbling, and dance elements
- Governed by organizations like UCA, NCA, and Varsity
All-Star Cheerleading
- Focus: Competitive-only, not affiliated with schools
- Athletes train at cheer gyms with professional coaching
- Higher difficulty level with elite tumbling and stunting
- Teams compete nationally and even globally
The Athleticism & Skill of Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders train year-round, building strength, flexibility, and endurance to master skills like:
Tumbling – Backflips, aerials, and advanced acrobatics
Stunting – Lifting and tossing flyers mid-air
Dance & Choreography – High-energy routines with strict timing
Strength & Conditioning – Core strength, balance, and explosive power
Cheerleading is one of the most physically demanding activities, requiring precision and teamwork on a level that matches traditional sports.
The Verdict: Is Cheerleading a Sport?
While sideline cheerleading leans more toward performance and spirit, competitive and all-star cheer undeniably meet the criteria of a sport. With its rigorous training, scoring system, and high-risk nature, competitive cheerleading has earned its place among elite athletic disciplines.
As more organizations push for official recognition, the sport continues to evolve, proving that cheerleaders are athletes in every sense of the word.
Primo Ticketing: Supporting Cheerleading & Youth Sports
At Primo Ticketing, we know that cheer competitions are more than just events—they’re experiences. Whether it’s sideline cheer or an intense national competition, we’re here to ensure that athletes, families, and fans have seamless access to the best events through hassle-free ticketing solutions.
What do YOU think? Should cheerleading be officially recognized as a sport? Visit us on @primoticketing on Facebook or Instagram and let us know your thoughts!