In a groundbreaking announcement that has sent shockwaves through the sports and entertainment worlds, ESPN has officially named the LSU Tigers Cheerleading Squad the World’s Best Cheerleading Team, following a historic performance that not only captivated millions of viewers around the globe but also redefined the very essence of what competitive cheerleading can be.
It wasn’t just a win. It was a cultural moment. A statement. A seismic shift in the global perception of cheerleading—and the LSU Tigers delivered it with power, precision, and unmistakable pride.
A Global Honor, Years in the Making
For years, the LSU Tigers cheerleading squad has been synonymous with excellence, spirit, and innovation. But in 2025, under the leadership of veteran coach Jillian Broussard, the program reached a pinnacle no one dared to predict.
After delivering what experts have dubbed the “greatest cheer performance ever recorded” at the International Cheer and Spirit Championships in Orlando, Florida, ESPN immediately placed LSU atop its global cheer rankings—beating out powerhouse programs from countries like Japan, Canada, South Korea, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
“This wasn’t just cheerleading,” said ESPN analyst and former Olympic gymnast Tanya Reynolds, who served as a judge at the event. “It was poetry in motion. It was Cirque du Soleil meets SEC Saturday. It was flawless. And it was fearless.”
The Performance That Made History
The historic routine, which lasted nearly six minutes without a single mistake, combined elite-level stunting, complex tumbling, emotionally resonant choreography, and cultural nods that honored LSU’s Louisiana roots—from Cajun jazz to second-line dances.
Their theme? “Rise of the Tigers.”
The performance opened with a dimmed stadium, the sound of a beating heart echoing in rhythm, as fog filled the stage. From the mist, LSU’s cheer captains emerged, executing an aerial pyramid that would be the first of six world-record stunts completed during the routine.
Highlights of the routine included:
- A triple-extension liberty stunt performed simultaneously by four different groups—never seen before in a competitive setting.
- A synchronized mid-air twist formation involving 20 athletes airborne at once.
- A moment of silence mid-routine, followed by an explosion of drums and a 360-degree rotating pyramid, earning a standing ovation mid-performance.
As the final beat dropped, the entire stadium—more than 40,000 in attendance—was on its feet, roaring in disbelief.
Global Reactions Pour In
Social media erupted in real-time.
#LSUCheerGOAT trended worldwide within minutes.
Celebrities, athletes, and even world leaders shared their admiration for the team:
- Beyoncé posted on Instagram: “This is what excellence looks like. Take a bow, LSU!”
- Simone Biles tweeted: “As an athlete, I’ve seen a lot—but what LSU just did? Historic.”
- French President Emmanuel Macron praised the performance during a televised speech, calling it “a beautiful example of American athletic artistry.”
Precision Meets Passion: Inside the LSU Program
LSU’s rise to global dominance didn’t happen overnight. It was built over decades of dedication, culture, and community.
Coach Jillian Broussard, who took over the program in 2017, instilled a philosophy she calls “Tiger Tenacity”—a blend of discipline, innovation, and unapologetic flair.
“Our job isn’t to just entertain,” Broussard said after the performance. “It’s to elevate. To uplift. To embody the spirit of LSU in every movement we make.”
Training routines have become the stuff of legend: 5:00 a.m. core work, biomechanical analyses of jumps and tosses, and daily meditation sessions to mentally align before high-stakes performances.
The program also brought in sports scientists from LSU’s kinesiology department, nutritionists from the football program, and even performance psychologists who previously worked with Olympic teams.
And it’s worked.
In the last three years alone, LSU has:
- Won 2 national collegiate titles
- Placed top-3 at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships
- Produced 7 athletes who have gone on to coach national squads around the world
- Inspired ESPN to launch an LSU docuseries: “Tigers in Flight”, premiering later this summer.
International Impact: LSU Sets the Bar Worldwide
Cheerleading, often marginalized as a secondary sport, has been gaining ground internationally, especially after its inclusion as a demonstration event in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The LSU Tigers have now become the unofficial ambassadors of this global movement.
“Programs in Tokyo, London, and Rio are using LSU footage to train,” said Kara Ishioka, head coach of Team Japan. “They’re that influential. They are the gold standard now.”
LSU has even begun offering international cheer clinics, with teams from as far as South Africa, Germany, and Brazil traveling to Baton Rouge to learn from the best.
Scholars and Stars: Academic Excellence Off the Mat
Beyond the tumbling passes and pyramids, LSU’s cheerleaders are excelling in the classroom. Over 90% of the team maintains a GPA above 3.5, with many pursuing degrees in pre-med, engineering, business, and sports science.
The team also logs thousands of hours annually in community service, frequently appearing at local schools, charity events, and even children’s hospitals in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Senior co-captain Maya Dupree, a biochemistry major and Rhodes Scholar finalist, said, “We’re athletes. We’re students. And we’re community leaders. That’s what it means to wear LSU across your chest.”
Reaction in Baton Rouge: A Campus Celebration
Back in Baton Rouge, celebrations erupted across campus. The university held a surprise rally in Tiger Stadium where fans, alumni, and fellow student-athletes gathered to honor the team.
LSU President Dr. William Tate IV said, “This recognition validates what we’ve always known—our cheerleaders are not just performers. They are trailblazers and global icons.”
Local restaurants created custom dishes like “Tiger Toss Tacos” and “Liberty Leap Lemonade” in tribute to the routine. One popular muralist even unveiled a 40-foot painting downtown capturing the final stunt from the performance.
What’s Next for the Champions?
With the world watching, expectations are sky-high for what comes next.
The squad is set to headline the opening ceremony at the 2025 Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile, a first for a cheerleading program.
There are also rumors of a Netflix documentary in the works, following LSU’s journey from underdog to global legend.
And with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics including competitive cheer as an official event, speculation is swirling that several LSU athletes will represent Team USA—if not dominate it.
A Defining Era for Cheerleading
This historic recognition marks more than just an award. It marks a defining moment for the sport of cheerleading—and LSU stands at its forefront.
From the depths of dedication to the heights of acrobatic brilliance, the LSU Tigers Cheerleading Squad has not only captured a trophy—they’ve captured the world’s imagination.
As Coach Broussard tearfully told her team after the final performance:
“You didn’t just cheer. You changed the game. You showed the world what Tigers can do when we soar.”
And soar they did.
RELATED LINKS
- Watch LSU’s Full Performance [ESPN+]
- Trailer: Tigers in Flight – Coming August 2025
- Inside LSU’s Mind-Body Training Model
- Meet the Team: 2025 LSU Cheerleading Roster
- Fan Gallery: Reactions from Baton Rouge & Beyond
