Cheerleading History Explained
A brief overview of how cheerleading developed from organised crowd leading into a global competitive sport.
Quick answer: cheerleading began in the United States in the late 1800s as organised crowd leading at college sports events, and gradually developed - through the 20th century - into the separate competitive sport known today as competitive or All Star cheer.
From the Sidelines to Competition
Cheerleading started as a way to organise and lead crowd chants at American college football games, originally performed by men. It slowly incorporated more athletic elements - jumps, tumbling and eventually stunts - over the following decades, and expanded to schools and, later, dedicated competitive gyms.
The Rise of Competitive Cheer
From the mid-20th century onward, cheerleading increasingly split into two related traditions: sideline cheer, which continues to support other sports, and competitive cheer, where the routine itself is the event. The growth of dedicated All Star gyms - private gyms whose teams exist purely to train and compete - accelerated this shift and helped standardise levels, scoring and competition formats.
A Global Sport
Competitive cheer has since grown into an international sport, with national and international governing bodies, world championship events, and growing recognition from international sporting organisations.
Read the full History of Cheerleading for the complete story, or explore the specific topics below.
History of Cheerleading
The full story, from crowd leading to a global competitive sport.
Who Invented Cheerleading?
The most commonly cited origin story.
When Did Cheerleading Begin?
A timeline from the late 1800s to today.
Were the First Cheerleaders Men?
Yes - and here's how that changed.
When Did Women Start Cheerleading?
How participation shifted from the 1920s onward.
How Did Competitive Cheer Develop?
From crowd support to a judged, technical sport.
History of All Star Cheer
How gym-based teams reshaped the sport.
History of Cheerleading in the United States
From college football to a nationwide sport.
History of Cheerleading in Britain
How cheer took root and grew in the UK.
When Did Cheer Become a Sport?
A gradual shift, not a single moment.
History of the International Cheer Union
The sport's leading international governing body.
Cheerleading and Olympic Recognition
What recognition means, and where things stand.
History of Cheerleading Uniforms
How uniforms evolved from sweaters to competition wear.
History of Cheer Skirts
How the pleated skirt became a signature piece.
History of Cheer Shoes
From ordinary trainers to a specialised category.
History of Pom-Poms
From simple tufts to a sport-defining prop.