AmeriCup Schedule
- subject to change
WEDNESDAY – January 7, 2026
Zoom Coaches Briefing (Two Weeks Before Event)
One representative per program should attend one Zoom session:
⏰ 10:00 AM (CST)
⏰ 7:00 PM (CST)
📧 Zoom details will be sent prior.
FRIDAY – January 23, 2026
7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Registration, Store & Ticket Booth Open
📍 3rd Floor – Red Wing
Coaches check in once for event info and gifts
All American & Performer of the Year participants do not need to check in
Pre-order ticket pickup has a separate line
❗ Pre-order store closes: January 11, 2026
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Coach & Teacher Lounge
📍 3rd Floor – Board Room 3
Lunch provided daily; details posted in the lounge.
Master Classes
Wear dance attire & bring water. For registered dancers and coaches - closed to the public.
8:00–8:45 AM – Master Class #1
9 & Under → 2nd Floor – Orchestra
Ages 10–14 → 2nd Floor – Marquette
Ages 15+ → 3rd Floor – Ballroom
9:00–9:45 AM – Master Class #2
(Same locations as above)
8:15–9:30 AM – Coach Master Class & Mixer
“ARE YOU LEADING OR MANAGING? WHY LEADERSHIP MATTERS”
📍 3rd Floor – Board Room 3
Don’t miss out on this amazing class specifically tailored for dance coaches. Coffee, breakfast items & mimosas provided!
Your team can only implement your vision if they understand it, and you empower them to execute. The work that leaders do - the work that really matters - is boiled down to three areas: crafting a vision, building alignment, and championing execution. In this powerful session, Julie Straw, co-author of The Work of Leaders, will share key principles to propel your team forward, providing you with a playbook that you can easily implement to elevate your studio and dance team to new levels.
Julie Straw spent her career in corporate education, overseeing a network of 1800 trainers, coaches and consultants. In addition to co-authoring The Work of Leaders, Julie is the author of The 4-Dimensional Manager. She combines her leadership experience with coaching expertise to help leaders and managers build high-performing teams.
10:30 AM – Doors Open for Team Competition
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM – Solo Presentations
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
All American (AA) & Performer of the Year (POY) candidates perform
NEW - 2 minute time limit
🎵 Bring backup music!
📱 Follow the live schedule with the DanceBUG app
11:30 AM – 7:00 PM – All American Interviews
📍 3rd Floor – Panel A: Board Room 1 | Panel B: Board Room 2
Wear team warmup, costume, or interview attire
Arrive 10 minutes early
Top interview scorers receive awards & scholarships
8:00–8:45 PM – Purple Party (Ages 11 & Under)
📍 2nd Floor – Symphony III
🎈 No feather boas, please!
9:30–10:15 PM – Purple Party (Ages 12 & Older)
📍 2nd Floor – Symphony III
9:30–10:15 PM – College Mixer
📍 3rd Floor – Rochester
College & university dancers only – Wear purple & come ready to dance!
SATURDAY – January 24, 2026
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration, Store & Ticket Booth Open
📍 3rd Floor – Red Wing
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Coach & Teacher Lounge
📍 3rd Floor – Directors Row 3
7:30 AM – Doors Open
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
8:00 AM – 4 PM – Team Competition & Awards
📍 All Awards: 3rd Floor – Ballroom
🏅 Champion Ring Pickup: Salon E Foyer Area (Immediately following each ceremony)
Time TBD – Graduating Senior Rehearsal
📍 3rd Floor – Rochester
Outfit: Purple top, black bottom (store options available)
4:30 – 6:30 PM – Duo/Trio Challenge (DTC)
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
NEW - 2 minute max time limit
Winners perform during Gala
7:15 PM – Paparazzi Interviews
📍 3rd Floor – Foyer
Dress up, strike a pose, and enjoy photo ops before the Gala!
8:00 PM – Awards Gala
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
Kicking off with the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders!
👗 Dress to impress – Prom attire encouraged
🎟 Open to all – No ticket required
Awards Announced at Gala:
Performer of the Year Champions (all ages)
Academic Excellence Recipients
National Dance Coach of the Year
Distinguished Leaders & Outstanding Staff
All American Champions (Interview, Paperwork, Scholastic, Overall)
Hall of Fame Inductee
SUNDAY – January 25, 2026
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Store & Ticket Booth Open
📍 3rd Floor – Red Wing
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Coach & Teacher Lounge
📍 3rd Floor – Board Room 3
9:00 AM – Doors Open
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
9:30 – 10:00 AM – Senior Solo Dance-Off
Top 10 Senior Soloists (15–18 yrs) perform again
🏆 Awards immediately following
10:45 AM – 5 PM – Team Competition & Awards
FINAL AWARDS CEREMONIES
📍 3rd Floor – Ballroom
🏅 Champion Ring Pickup: Salon E Foyer Area
Graduating Seniors Performance
Grand Champion Announcement
USASF Worlds Bids
Rebel Athletic Costume Prize Winners