Holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, Fourth of July, and spring break bring notoriously big crowds to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland but what about the groups you least expect. A lot of us have been there, you notice the park is busier than usual only to find out there is a sports competition happening on property.

These cheer, dance, and band competitions bring in thousands of people, staying in the resorts and visiting the parks. You may also find that these groups are using green space and parking lots at your Disney Resort to practice, making the resort feel just a little bit louder and more chaotic. Nothing against these groups but navigating crowds at Disney always makes for a more peaceful vacation.

To help you better plan your 2026 visit to Disney World or Disneyland, here’s a list of some of the bigger sports groups hosting competitions on property. Keep in mind, a lot of these groups do not visit the parks until after they are finished competing.

Walt Disney World

January 30 – February 1

• National School Spirit DII Championship (Cheerleading, dance, and band)

February 6 – 8

• National School Spirit DI (Cheerleading, dance, and band)

March 13 – 14

• UDA All Star National Championship

March 13 – 14

• The Quest Recreational Championship

March 14 – 15

• UCA All Star National Championship

April 22 – 24

• Junior World & World Cheerleading Championship

April 24 – 27

• The Cheerleading Worlds

April 30 – May 3

• The Summit Championship

May 2 – 4

• The Dance Summit

May 8 – 10

• The D2 Summit

Disneyland

May 22 – 25

• Disneyland Hotel
• Showstopper Regionals

July 15 – 19

• Disneyland Hotel
• Showstopper Finals