\#1 IN THE WORLD. #1 IN OUR HEARTS! Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad has been officially crowned the #1 Cheer Team on the Planet by ESPN after a jaw-dropping performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship. For a university already steeped in athletic excellence and championship culture, this monumental achievement is yet another jewel in the crimson-studded crown. But this time, it’s not about touchdowns, Heismans, or SEC titles—it’s about artistry, endurance, precision, spirit, and soul. In a discipline often underappreciated but intensely competitive, the Alabama cheerleading squad not only met expectations—they shattered them, dancing their way into history and the hearts of millions around the world.
The 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship, held in Orlando, Florida, saw the best cheerleading squads from across the globe gather for what has become the sport’s most prestigious stage. And while many predicted powerhouse programs like Kentucky, LSU, or even the defending champions from Japan to dominate the scene, it was Alabama that stormed in with a routine so precise, so emotionally resonant, and so technically flawless that ESPN called it “the most complete cheerleading performance of the decade.” The Tide didn’t merely stick their landings—they elevated the sport, bringing a performance packed with complexity, creativity, and character. Every tumbling pass, every basket toss, every formation change was executed with such smooth ferocity that judges and fans alike were left speechless. When the final stunt hit with the squad frozen in mid-air, the crowd erupted—and deep down, everyone knew they had just witnessed something historic.
What separates Alabama’s cheer squad from the rest isn’t just talent. It’s preparation. It’s the grind that happens away from the bright lights—the 5 a.m. practices, the ice baths, the bruises, the film study, and the constant pursuit of perfection that never ends. For head coach Madison Kilgore, who took over the program just three years ago, the championship was a culmination of tireless work, cultural transformation, and a fierce belief that Alabama could compete with and eventually surpass the most established names in cheerleading. Her approach emphasized not just skill development, but also mental toughness and chemistry. As she put it during the team’s post-victory ESPN interview, “Cheerleading is equal parts trust and timing. If your flyer doesn’t trust you to catch her, the whole pyramid crumbles. And if you’re even a half-second off with your timing, the beauty of the sequence disappears. That’s why we train for unity before anything else.” That unity shined brightest under pressure and under the lights of the international stage.
The performance wasn’t just athletic—it was emotional. Their routine, set to a powerful mashup of contemporary pop and Alabama-favorite fight songs, told a story of perseverance and pride. At one point, the squad broke into an acrobatic formation spelling out “BAMA” mid-tumble, a feat that required more than two dozen cheerleaders to move in flawless synchronicity while flipping, diving, and soaring across the mat. That moment sent chills down the spines of even rival fans. One judge reportedly had tears in her eyes by the end of the routine, later commenting, “I’ve seen tens of thousands of performances, but this one captured something different. It wasn’t just about skill—it was about heart.” ESPN analysts echoed that sentiment in their recap coverage, naming the routine “an all-time classic that will be studied for years to come.”
For the Alabama student body and alumni base, the title is a point of immense pride—and validation. The cheerleaders are often the unheralded backbone of every home game, pep rally, and campus event. Rain or shine, win or lose, they show up to energize and uplift. Now, they’re finally receiving the global recognition they’ve long deserved. Social media exploded within minutes of the announcement. Alabama legends from football, basketball, softball, and even gymnastics posted tributes. Former quarterback Bryce Young tweeted, “Y’all thought we only dominate on the field? Our cheer squad just proved they’re elite worldwide. Let’s goooo BAMA!” Nick Saban himself issued a congratulatory statement, calling the win “another example of what happens when you combine work ethic, unity, and relentless commitment to greatness.” Even Alabama Governor Kay Ivey released a formal proclamation recognizing the cheer team’s accomplishment as “a landmark victory for the state of Alabama and for women in sports across the nation.”
What made the Tide’s win even more special was how much of the team hailed from Alabama roots. Nearly two-thirds of the squad are in-state recruits, many of whom grew up dreaming of wearing the crimson uniform. Their journey from small-town competitions and Friday night football sidelines to the international stage is a testament to both their talent and the state’s underrated cheer pipeline. One standout, senior co-captain Taylor Blake from Tuscaloosa, had been told in high school that she was “too short and too average” to ever make a major college squad. Today, she’s a world champion and was named MVP of the championship by ESPN, largely thanks to her flawless execution during the routine’s most difficult tumbling series. When asked about that journey, she simply said, “I never gave up. I knew I could fly. I just needed the right team to catch me.”
Beyond the mat, Alabama’s cheer team has become a beacon of character and service on campus. The squad is heavily involved in outreach programs, volunteering at local schools, hosting clinics for younger athletes, and raising funds for pediatric cancer research through their partnership with UAB Hospital. Their slogan—“Lift Each Other Up”—isn’t just about stunts. It’s about community. That’s what makes this victory resonate on a deeper level. It wasn’t won in isolation. It was built brick by brick, with support from the university, the athletic department, and generations of cheerleaders who laid the foundation.
This championship also sets a new precedent for collegiate cheerleading. For years, the conversation around the sport has struggled to break into mainstream consciousness, often overshadowed by football or basketball headlines. But Alabama’s momentous win may signal a shift in perception. ESPN’s decision to broadcast the final live in prime time drew in record-breaking ratings for a cheer event. In the aftermath, the network announced a new docuseries titled “Spirit of Champions,” set to premiere this fall, with Alabama’s road to the championship featured in the pilot episode. This kind of media attention could mark a turning point for cheerleaders across the country, who have long deserved a bigger spotlight for the skill and sacrifice their sport demands.
Recruiting for the Tide’s cheer program is expected to skyrocket. Within days of their championship routine airing, the program received over 200 inquiries from aspiring cheerleaders, both domestic and international. Several of the team’s current juniors and seniors have already signed with professional cheer organizations or secured sponsorship deals, including a major brand partnership with Nike Cheer. The visibility and respect earned from this performance has opened doors not just for Alabama, but for the sport at large.
Still, the squad remains grounded. In their first team meeting after the win, Coach Kilgore reminded them, “We don’t stop here. Championships are just milestones. What matters more is how we carry this forward—into classrooms, into careers, and into the lives of those we inspire.” That message has clearly stuck. Many of the athletes returned to campus and immediately resumed volunteer work, opting to forgo a celebratory vacation to speak at local schools and lead empowerment sessions for middle and high school cheerleaders. The same drive that pushed them to the top of the cheerleading world now fuels their mission to uplift others.
In a year when Alabama athletics is enjoying an extraordinary run across multiple sports, the cheerleading team’s triumph may be the most inspiring chapter yet. It’s a story of belief over doubt, unity over ego, and grace under pressure. And it’s a reminder that champions aren’t only built on fields or courts. Sometimes, they’re built on mats—one backflip, one basket toss, and one heartbeat at a time.
As fans flood campus with banners, confetti, and chants of “Roll Tide!” it’s clear that this victory won’t soon be forgotten. For now, Alabama reigns supreme—not just in rankings, but in spirit. They are #1 in the world. They are #1 in our hearts. And they have proven that when the Tide rises, the whole world watches.
