Acrobatics and tumbling
| Highest governing body | National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) |
|---|---|
| First played | 2007 |
| Registered players | 1,200 |
| Clubs | 50 |
| Characteristics | |
| Team members | Between 24 and 45 athletes |
| Mixed-sex | No |
| Type | Indoor gymnastic sport |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | United States |
| Olympic | No |
Acrobatics and tumbling is a varsity women's sport played at American colleges and universities. The sport has been described as a combination of artistic gymnastics and competitive cheerleading.[1][2] The sport is governed by the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA).[3]
History
The University of Maryland announced in 2003 that it would add a competitive cheerleading team to its roster of available sports.[1] The University of Oregon followed in 2007, renaming the sport to "team stunts and gymnastics".[1] The current name of the sport was adopted in 2011.[1] Acrobatics and tumbling was specifically designed to be played at the collegiate level, although youth level programs are emerging.[1] The sport has been added by various colleges and universities as a way to increase the number of female athletes at their institutions.[4]
In 2020, acrobatics and tumbling was designated as an emerging women's sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).[1] In 2026, the sport was given championship status by the NCAA.[5][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Williams, Justin (June 29, 2023). "Acrobatics & tumbling is the next big thing in women's college sports". The Athletic. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ Haduck, Alyssa (November 6, 2024). "Payton Washington earns national title, a year after surviving a shooting". ESPN. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ "Acrobatics and tumbling, stunt on track for championship status". ESPN. Associated Press. May 15, 2025. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ Graves, Will (February 20, 2025). "No, it's not the circus. Acrobatics and tumbling, a mashup of gymnastics and cheer, is booming". Associated Press. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ Mosley, Kobe (January 16, 2026). "NCAA elevates acrobatics and tumbling to championship status". NCAA.org. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
- ^ Shinder, Adam (January 17, 2026). "Stunt, acrobatics and tumbling added as NCAA's newest championship sports". Times Union. Archived from the original on January 18, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.