From a population of more than 50,000, a team of just 25 student-athletes continues to bring so much success, attention – and national championships – to the University of Minnesota. 

The Minnesota dance team entertains students and fans at home football and basketball games, but the squad wows the judges nearly every year at the UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship. 

Once again, the Gophers will be among the teams competing for national titles at one of the most iconic venues around – the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – when the UDA College Nationals returns to Orlando, Florida, from Jan. 16-18.

• Here’s More Info About How To Watch The UCA, UDA College Nationals 2026
• Insider Info: 2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals
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The Minnesota dancers are the three-time defending national champions in Division IA Pom and are perennial threats in the DIA Jazz category, too, where they finished second in 2025. 

Dance fans who can’t make it to Florida later this month are in luck – all of the action from the 2026 UCA/UDA College Nationals will be broadcast live on Varsity TV!

Before the stream goes live, though, let’s take a look at some things to know about the Minnesota dance team ahead of the Gophers taking the stage at UDA College Nationals 2026.

About The University Of Minnesota Dance Team/Spirit Squad

Is the University of Minnesota a football school? Wrestling? Hockey? Maybe it’s the UM spirit squad that serves as the most prolific ambassador of the University of Minnesota. 

The squad consists of a 25-member dance team, another three dozen or so cheerleaders and, of course, Goldy Gopher, the team’s mascot, who rightfully has earned a spot on the cheer team’s roster page. 

Collectively, the spirit squad has combined for 28 UCA/UDA national championships, with 23 belonging to the dance team. 

In 2025, the cheer team won the Small Coed Game Day title at the UCA College Nationals, and the dance team followed with the Division IA Pom championship at the UDA College Nationals. 

Along with competing regularly in elite competitions, including the Division IA Jazz and Pom categories at the UDA College Nationals, plus other regional, national and international events, the Minnesota dance team works in support of Gopher athletics, appearing at football and men’s basketball games.

The Gopher Dance Team had an amazing time connecting with young dancers from across the community!

Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Coupe Health for making it possible! pic.twitter.com/b4lhiuGhIW

— Minnesota Golden Gophers (@GopherSports) December 3, 2025

Success And Recognition Are Everywhere At The University Of Minnesota

After helping the Minnesota spirit squad to a pair of national titles at the 2025 UCA/UDA College Nationals, dance head coach soon-to-be program director Amanda Gaines was named the National Dance Coaches Association College Coach of the Year.

The award came weeks after the school already realized how valuable she was and hired her to oversee the entire program and its activities. Previously, she’d been at the helm of the dance team for nine years.

Her dance team’s DIA Jazz title was the third in a row for the Gophers and the squad’s 23rd dance championship overall.

Two decades ago, from 2005-2009, Gaines was a member of the UM dance team and then became an assistant coach. She has helped the Gophers to national titles in each role – 20 in total. 

University Of Minnesota Gophers Win 2025 National Title

The Gophers have won a record 23 dance national championships since 2003, so there’s no reason to think they won’t be a threat for a title – or two – at every edition of UDA College Nationals. 

All-time, the team has won 12 jazz titles and 11 pom championships – plus a handful of gold medals in the International Cheer Union World Championships.

Last season, the Minnesota dance team delivered a third consecutive Division IA Pom title, edging another perennial powerhouse, Ohio State, 98.4762-97.5079.

In the Division IA Jazz battle, the roles were reversed, and Ohio State denied the Gophers a double-dip. The Buckeyes claimed the crown, 97.2857-96.6825.

Can Minnesota make it four straight pom championships? Can the Gophers get both wins in 2026?

Before they take the stage for this year’s event, here’s a look at their winning routine from 2025: 

• University of Minnesota [2025 Division IA - Pom Finals] 2025 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship
• Here’s a look at all of the 2025 UDA College Nationals champions

People Still Love Watching The Minnesota Dance Team

It might not be ALL of the eyes on the Minnesota dance team at the UDA College Nationals every year, but there sure are a lot.

In fact, the Gophers performed two of the five most-watched routines at the 2025 event in Orlando, Florida.

That probably isn’t shocking news. Neither is the fact that Minnesota landed in the No. 1 spot. 

The big surprise, however, is that it was the Gophers’ jazz routine that topped the list, despite the performance only being good enough for second place overall. Ohio State’s winning routine was No. 2. 

Did the judges get it wrong? Or does Minnesota just have that many fans?

Close behind, in the No. 5 position, was the routine the Gophers did to secure their third consecutive Division IA Pom national championship.

Click here to see Minnesota’s routines, as well as the rest of the top 10.

Success For Minnesota Dance In 2025 Didn’t End With UDA College Nationals

Three months after a national championship (pom) and a runner-up finish (jazz) at the 2025 UDA College Nationals, the Minnesota dance team was back at the iconic ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, looking to add to its 2025 success.

The squad was successful in that quest, picking up a pom gold medal and a jazz silver medal (behind Japan) at the 2025 International Cheer Union World Championships. 

The visit to Florida marked the third time the Gophers had the opportunity to represent the United States at the international event, along with 2010 and 2014.

Across the three years, Minnesota has earned four gold medals and three silver medals.

The ICU, comprised of 120 national cheer federations, was formed in 2004 and includes 10 million athletes from across the globe. 

Watch Minnesota’s winning routine from the 2025 ICU World Championships:

Minnesota Spirit Squad Schedule At UCA/UDA College Nationals 2026

• Minnesota will compete in the Small Coed IA Cheer Game Day semifinals on Jan. 16 at 9:42 a.m. (Adventhealth Arena – South).
• Minnesota will compete in the DIA Jazz prelims on Jan. 16 at 4:54 p.m. (State Farm Field House).
• Minnesota will compete in the DIA Pom semifinals on Jan. 17 at 9:24 a.m. (State Farm Field House).
• Minnesota will compete in the Small Coed IA Cheer semifinals on Jan. 17 at 1:54 p.m. (Adventhealth Arena – South).
• Minnesota’s Goldy Gopher will compete in the DIA Mascot competition on Jan. 17 at 5:53 p.m. (Adventhealth Arena – South).

How To Watch UDA College Nationals 2026

The entire event is streaming on Varsity TV and the FloSports app beginning Jan. 16. 

Event replays, highlights and breaking news will be available on both platforms. 

Missed the Action? Watch The Rebroadcast

The rebroadcast will stream on Varsity TV on a delay of 24 hours.

Relive The Action With Varsity TV 24/7 Network

Whether you're a die-hard fan, a coach or an athlete, Varsity TV 24/7 Network brings the action of the competitive cheer and dance season straight to you—anytime, anywhere. 

The always-live stream will feature all-access content and video replays hand-picked by experts on the Varsity TV team. Tune in to Varsity TV 24/7 Network live, starting on Nov. 1.

UDA College Nationals 2026 Schedule 

Block schedules have been released. Check out the schedules: 

• UCA and UDA College Nationals 2026 Block Schedule
• UCA and UDA College Nationals 2026 Performance Order

2026 UDA College Dance Team National Championship Results

Results for the 2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship can be found here.

UDA College Nationals Results From Past Years:

• View 2025 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results
• View 2024 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results
• View 2023 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results
• View 2022 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results
• View 2021 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results
• View 2020 UCA & UDA College National Championship Results

Tune in to Varsity TV from Jan. 16-18 to watch all the action live from the 2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Florida.

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