Globalization of Cheer: What ICU Europe Says About the Future of the Sport
For a long time, competitive cheerleading felt like a sport centered around the United States. While teams from other countries have always existed, many American athletes haven't had the opportunity to see just how much the international side of the sport has grown. At this year's ICU European Cheerleading Championships, that growth was impossible to ignore. We spoke with Nfinity Senior Director and ICU Europe attendee Alison Dytko about what stood out to her throughout the event, from the level of competition to the cultural exchange and what it all means for the future of cheerleading worldwide.
Global Standard of Excellence
When asked what surprised her most, Dytko emphasized she wasn't walking into ICU Europe with low expectations.
"I've followed international cheerleading for years and have had the opportunity to watch the ICU World Championships, especially the Advanced and Premier divisions, so I already knew the level of talent around the world was incredibly high."
Seeing it in person, though, was different.
"Athletes from across Europe are executing extremely difficult skills, but what impressed me most was how effortless many of the top clubs made those skills look. The precision, timing, and confidence were remarkable."
Beyond the routines themselves, she also noticed the amount of work happening behind the scenes.
"Throughout the week, I met with federation presidents, board members, and development leaders from across Europe, and it became clear how much they're investing in coach education, athlete development, governance, and long-term growth."
Professionals in the international cheer industry are intentionally making strides to connect nations in the common goal of raising the standard of cheerleading worldwide. The investment happening behind the scenes is creating a stronger foundation for the sport on a global scale. As more countries continue to develop, international competitions become more meaningful, the sport continues to gain legitimacy worldwide, and nations have more opportunities to learn from one another's strengths.
Different Scoresheet, Same Elite Talent
One misconception many American fans have is that international routines simply aren't as difficult. Dytko doesn't believe that's the biggest difference at all.
"I do not think the biggest difference is the difficulty of the skills. It is the philosophy behind how the routines are constructed."
She explained that because most European federations compete under the ICU scoring system, they design routines specifically around that scoresheet.
"There is a major emphasis on precision, execution, synchronization, and making every element count."
Unlike many U.S. competitions, ICU places its greatest emphasis on partner stunts, pyramids, and basket tosses rather than sections like jumps or dance.
"Because of that, coaches are not simply recreating the traditional U.S. all-star format. They are making strategic choices based on the international scoring system, and that creates a distinct routine style."
In the US, there are countless divisions, and the strongest routines are the ones built to maximize their own scoresheet. A successful gameday routine looks very different from a successful traditional all-girl routine, but that doesn't make one superior to the other. The same idea applies internationally. European teams aren't building routines to mirror the US, they're building routines that succeed under the ICU scoresheet.
More Than a Competition
One of the most unique parts of ICU Europe doesn't happen on the competition floor. Dytko described the Cultural Exchange as one of the most meaningful traditions of the entire event.
"It's an opportunity for athletes from different countries to come together outside of competition, meet one another, and celebrate their cultures."
Each team brings items that represent its country or traditions to exchange with athletes from other nations.
"Some athletes handmake gifts, others bring locally made items or keepsakes that reflect who they are. They exchange these gifts with athletes from around the world, creating friendships and memories that extend far beyond the competition floor."
This year, Nfinity sponsored the Cultural Exchange by giving every athlete a custom Nfinity pin, with a handful of athletes also taking home Orbit. While the gifts make the experience memorable, Dytko believes the real value is in the connections they create.
"It reminds everyone that while we're competing against one another on the mat, we're also part of one global cheerleading community. It brings athletes together, creates lifelong friendships, and reinforces the true purpose of our sport: building connections through teamwork, respect, and a shared passion for cheerleading."
The cheerleading community has always been tight knit, whether it’s trading decorated clothespins or having a sister squad. Bringing this to a global level, participants are taking it a step further and sharing their culture while building these connections. While ICU helps globalize cheerleading through competition and skill development, it also brings people together. Athletes leave the event not only having grown as cheerleaders, but as people, after experiencing cultures, traditions, and friendships they may never have encountered otherwise.
What Does This Mean for the Future?
Dytko believes these international events are already changing the direction of the sport.
"International competitions are accelerating the growth of cheerleading in ways that go far beyond what happens on the competition floor."
Beyond developing athletes and coaches, countries are also working together to grow the sport.
"Federations are collaborating, sharing ideas, and creating more opportunities for athletes to compete internationally."
Her prediction?
"Ten years from now, I think we'll see an even more connected global cheerleading community, where countries continue to learn from one another and raise the standard of the sport together."
She also shared that she hopes even more athletes around the world will be wearing the official shoe and carrying the official bag of cheerleading: Nfinity.
The future of cheerleading is globalization. When countries interact and contribute to each other's development, innovation happens. Countries can learn from one another's routine styles and better understand why different elements are prioritized. Coaches can share techniques and philosophies that have been successful in their own programs, while athletes are exposed to new cultures and approaches to the sport. The result is a more collaborative future for cheerleading, where the strengths of different countries and regions come together to continue raising the standard of the sport.
One Final Takeaway
When asked what she wished every American cheerleader could take away from ICU Europe, Dytko reflected:
"I wish every American cheerleader could experience the level of talent and commitment that's being developed across Europe. Seeing it in person gives you a whole new appreciation for how much the sport has grown internationally."
She left with one final message.
"One thing is certain: the rest of the world isn't just catching up, they're coming for GOLD!"
It's exciting because it means the sport is no longer being defined by one perspective alone. As more countries contribute their own styles and ideas, there's a growing appreciation for different approaches to cheerleading. That variety doesn't take away from the sport—it makes it stronger and continues pushing it to new levels.
Cheerleading has never been more connected than it is today. As international programs continue to grow, events like ICU Europe show that the future of the sport isn't being shaped by one country alone—it's being built through collaboration across the world. Whether it's sharing coaching philosophies, competing on the same floor, or trading gifts during the Cultural Exchange, one thing is becoming clear: cheerleading's biggest victories may not just be measured in medals, but in the global community the sport continues to create.
