The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce that the 2025 Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships, hosted by Champion Cheer Central, has been awarded the Champions of Economic Impact by Sports Destination Management, a leading national sports tourism publication. This recognition highlights the significant economic contributions made by the event, which took place at the Erie Insurance Arena on April 5-6.
This year’s competition welcomed 270 teams and 3,295 athletes, which was a 51.1% increase from 2024, making it the largest event hosted by Champion Cheer Central. The event drew an estimated 5,715 overnight visitors and generated approximately 2,806 room nights. Over the course of a single weekend, the event delivered an estimated $2.9 million in economic impact.
“We are incredibly excited to see the growth of the Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships in Erie”, said Heather Petz, co-owner of Champion Cheer Central. “This year’s event brought teams from Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Michigan, Ohio and Canada, and we’re excited about the potential to expand the event further next year.”
“The Erie Sports Commission is proud to have nominated the Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships for this award”, said Mark Jeanneret, executive director of the Erie Sports Commission. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the event’s staff, organizers and athletes whose hard work made this achievement possible.”
Event details can be found in a special feature published in the November/December 2025 issue of Sports Destination Management. The article, with full details on the winners, can be found online here.
The 2026 Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships will take place April 11-12. Champion Cheer Central will also host Lights! Camera! Action! Cheer and Dance Extravaganza on Dec. 6-7 at the Bayfront Convention Center and the Winter Beach Blast on Jan. 10 at the Bayfront Convention Center. For more information, click here.
