The 2025 UCA & UDA College Nationals are just around the corner—and that means it's time for Game Day Live on the national stage at Walt Disney World Resort's ESPN Wide World of Sports.

All eyes will be on Orlando this January 17-19 to catch one of the biggest cheerleading and dance competitions in the world. Now, with the evolution of the new divisions in Varsity competition, pep bands play a big part of the school spirit-based event.

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With the National School Band Championship as a part of the two-weekend long National School Spirit Championships coming in 2026, the Game Day Live division gives collegiate and high school bands across the country the chance to perform alongside cheer and dance teams in competition to represent their schools.

Did you know that with a FloMarching subscription, you also get access to everything on Varsity TV, including the 2025 UCA & UDA College Nationals? You can view their full event schedule here.

2025 UCA/UDA College Nationals Game Day Live Schedule

Friday, January 17 - Semis

• 9:00 a.m. ET - Southwest Mississippi Community College
• 9:06 a.m. ET - Wake Forest University
• 9:12 a.m. ET - Grand Canyon University
• 11:45 a.m. ET - Finalists Announced

Saturday, January 18 - Finals

• 4:00 p.m. ET - Game Day Live Finalist #1
• 4:05 p.m. ET - Game Day Live Finalist #2
• 4:10 p.m. ET - Game Day Live Finalist #3
• 5:15 p.m. ET - Game Day Live Finals Awards

What is Game Day Live And Why Are There Bands At A Cheer And Dance Competition?

Game Day Live is an evolution of the game day division in cheer and dance competition. The division aims to recreate the atmosphere of a Friday night or Saturday football game. The "Live" naming refers to the addition of a live performance from the participating team's drumline or pep band.

According to the UCA Divisions, Rules, and Scoring page, the score sheet is broken into four categories, each of which are assigned 20 to 30 points out of a total of 100: sound quality (20%), technical accuracy (20%), musicality and engagement (30%), and overall impression (30%).

Game Day Live was the starting point for Varsity's integration of pep band into their school-based competitions—in 2026, there will be entire competitions for the pep bands. Pep bands can compete in a variety of events including the National High School Cheerleading Championships (NHSCC), National Dance Team Championship (NDTC) and many more.

Thompson High School Wins Game Day Live Division at NDTC

How To Watch UCA/UDA College Nationals 2025

The entire event is streaming on Varsity TV and the new FloSports app beginning Jan. 17. 

Event replays, highlights and breaking news will be available on both platforms. 

The rebroadcast will stream on Varsity TV on a delay of 24 hours.