BALTIMORE, Md. - The excitement is high in Baltimore as Acrobatics & Tumbling became the 93rd NCAA Championship sponsored sport. "The move from NCATA to NCAA championship status is the milestone we've all been waiting for," said Morgan State Head Coach Agina Simpkins. "It validates the grit, precision, and athleticism of every competitor who has stepped onto the mat. By opening the doors across all NCAA divisions, our sport has gained the visibility it needs to be recognized as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics. This isn't just a win for the NCATA; it's a win for the future of the sport."


The National Office released the following press release:

Following majority votes by the Division II and Division III membership on Friday morning, Acrobatics & Tumbling has been added as the NCAA's 93rd national championship. The Division I cabinet additionally approved the championship on Wednesday during its annual cabinet meeting in Washington, D.C.

Acrobatics & Tumbling now advances from the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program to become a National Collegiate championship, which features NCAA member programs from all three divisions competing against each other for a national title. The first national championship will be crowned in the spring of 2027.

"This moment represents an unprecedented collaborative effort by the individuals and member institutions in the acrobatics & tumbling community," said Janell Cook, executive director of the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association. "The vision, resiliency, and innovation required to accomplish this goal has been carried out with passionate resolve and today is a celebration of every student-athlete, coach, and administrator who has invested in the development of the sport.

"They did so without guarantees or favor, remaining committed to equity and safety while creating unique, quality opportunities for student-athletes. Today, I am thinking about all the student-athletes who dreamed about competing for an NCAA championship, who pioneered this sport for the benefit of others who will now have that opportunity."

Added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in August 2020, acrobatics & tumbling continued to take significant steps of growth by eclipsing the necessary 40 schools that must sponsor it at the varsity level and meet minimum sports sponsorship requirements to become eligible for championship status.

"It is a major win for the NCAA to add acrobatics & tumbling as a championship sport," added NCAA president Charlie Baker. "We thank everyone who played a role in supporting this effort and look forward to continue providing world-class opportunities for women to compete in this incredible sport."

Currently, 52 institutions from the NCAA sponsor Acrobatics & Tumbling as a varsity sport, with over 1,300 student-athletes preparing to compete this spring. The 2026 season gets underway on Sunday, February 1, 2026.