On January 16, the 2026 Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals was held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida and concluded on January 18 . UDA is one of the most exciting and competitive dance events of the year, bringing together some of the best college level dance teams in the country.

The Jazz category brings out a more emotional and dramatic energy to the competition, focusing on strong flexibility, technique, and polished moves. The Ohio State University team placed first in the Division IA finals, showing strong artistic performance in a routine that impressed not only the judges but also fans and social media. 

In the Pom division, the University of Minnesota earned their fourth consecutive title by winning the Division IA Pom national championship. The routine is recognized for the sharp, strong, and precise qualities.

In the Hip Hop category, University of Nevada, Las Vegas also won the Division IA national championship. Their performance really emphasized the audience engagement and is known for their musicality and style. The LSU Tiger girls gained lots of attention in the hip hop category while placing second with a jaw dropping routine that went viral. Many viewers believed that LSU deserved the first place spot.

Lastly, the Game Day division, which focuses less on technique and more on spirit and audience engagement, was another highlight of the event. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) also won the Division IA Game Day national title while representing how dance teams contribute to school game days.

In conclusion, the 2026 UDA Nationals showed the best level of competitive dance across the United States and thrilled the audience, both in person, or those watching from home. UDA is a perfect opportunity for the college level dancers to showcase their hard work and dedication that doesn’t get brought to light most times.