Quick Overview
- The AIA (Association for International All-Star) is a newly launched, independent global organization for all-star cheer and dance.
- It aims to create a more fair, open, and internationally connected structure for the sport.
- Includes a new Global Tournament every 18 months and regional events.
- Built for athletes, gyms, coaches, and event producers seeking more transparency and global opportunities.
Summary
The Association for International All-Star (AIA) is a new global membership organization for all-star cheerleading and dance. The AIA is independent and self-sufficient as the first international member organization of its kind.
Its goal is to make cheerleading more fair, open, and welcoming. The AIA plans major international tournaments, regional competitions, and long-term initiatives to support the sport’s global development.
This matters because it introduces a new international structure for all-star cheer – one with rotating global events, a broader reach, and a focus on community and stakeholder-driven decision-making. It’s relevant for athletes, coaches, gym owners, and event producers across all regions.
The Full Breakdown
Background
The AIA is a for-profit organization based outside the USA. It was created to establish “the largest, most inclusive independent international organization for All Star cheer and dance.” The goal is to bring event producers and gym owners together, ensuring programs of all sizes have a voice in shaping the sport.
AIA uses a revenue-sharing model intended to give some financial return to participating gyms and event producers, with the aim of strengthening the industry through collaboration and transparency.
The organization was announced in March 2025.
Its board of directors includes representatives from several regions and nations, including North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South America.
Their stated mission:
“We are driven by the passion for All Star, working together to safeguard its future while advancing its legacy. AIA is committed to empowering stakeholders, promoting fair opportunities, and setting a new standard for transparency and collaboration in the industry.”
The organization positions itself as:
- Not a governing body
- Globally focused
- Community-led
- Built to address long-standing concerns about fairness, transparency, and access in the sport
The AIA also helps fund an “International Non-Profit Association,” designed to support gym owners and event producers in improving the sport.
The Global Tournament
The AIA will host the AIA Global Tournament every 18 months, rotating locations around the world. The first tournament will take place in Montreal, Canada, in July 2026.
This event will not function as an end-of-season championship but as the “pinnacle of AIA’s competitions.”
Teams will qualify through regional events and must earn a minimum score or percentage to qualify. More than 85+ qualifying events will be hosted by 30+ independent event producers across 15+ countries.
Key details:
- Multiple-round competition structure
- Two rounds guaranteed for all teams
- Levels 2–7
- Ages: modified U16 (ages 10+) to Open divisions
- All countries may compete in any division or level
- No automatic advancement by country (unlike some international Cheerleading Worlds divisions)
- Emphasis on affordability for athletes and families
Find the official tournament information here.
Regional Competitions
In addition to the global tournament, the AIA will host more frequent regional competitions. These serve as qualifiers and as stand-alone opportunities for programs across different countries.
Scoring, Divisions & Rules
AIA championships will follow IASF safety rules, with possible modifications.
Additional known details:
- Teams must have more than 16 athletes to compete.
- At the Global Tournament, scoring will combine elements of the comparative scoring system and a rubric system.
Why This Matters for the Sport
The launch of the AIA represents a significant shift toward global alignment and independence in all-star cheerleading.
For years, the cheer community has asked for:
- more international opportunities
- more transparency
- alternatives to U.S.-centric structures
By creating a rotating global tournament, expanding regional involvement, and presenting a community-driven model, the AIA could create broader international growth and collaboration.
For coaches and gym owners, this opens the door to new event pathways, more community-driven governance, and a broader, more inclusive competitive ecosystem. For teams and athletes, it creates more global experiences, unity, and long-term opportunities.
This is one of the most significant organizational developments in cheerleading in recent years.
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1 comment
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