GLOBAL NEWS: Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad Crowned World’s Best by ESPN After Electrifying, Record-Breaking Performance Wows Global Audience
TUSCALOOSA, AL – July 19, 2025
In a moment that has redefined spirit, precision, and performance on a global scale, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad has been officially crowned the World’s Best Cheerleading Team by ESPN, following a record-breaking routine that stunned international judges and captivated a global audience of over 15 million viewers.
The historic performance took place at the 2025 Global Spirit Showcase in Orlando, Florida — an elite, invitation-only event that featured the top cheerleading squads from 22 countries, including powerhouse programs from Japan, Brazil, Canada, and the U.K.
But it was the Crimson Tide — clad in crimson, white, and unmistakable grit — who stole the show.
A Performance for the Ages
Their championship-winning routine, dubbed “Unbreakable Tide”, featured a flawless 3-minute sequence of:
Five synchronized elite-level pyramid builds
Two never-before-attempted toss transitions at a 10-foot height
A jaw-dropping triple tumbling pass landed by all 16 squad members
A finale that spelled “ROLL TIDE” using live human formations, complete with LED-accented uniforms synced to music
> “That was not just cheerleading,” said Tori Martinez, lead ESPN choreographer and judge. “That was athletic artistry. It was bold, it was impossible, and it was perfect.”
The team scored a 99.7 out of 100, breaking the previous global cheer record set by the Kentucky Wildcats in 2018.
Years in the Making
Under the guidance of head coach Melanie Brooks, the Crimson Tide squad spent over 11 months perfecting the routine in secret, training six days a week, often in 5 a.m. sessions before academic schedules. Brooks, who herself was a former All-American cheerleader for Alabama in the early 2000s, said this team is “the best embodiment of what Crimson Tide spirit truly means.”
> “They didn’t just come here to win,” Brooks said through tears. “They came to represent what it means to be part of something bigger. They’re champions of grit, grace, and greatness.”
A Global Impact
The routine went viral within hours. Social media platforms exploded with praise — #BamaCheer trended at #1 worldwide on X (formerly Twitter), and ESPN’s Instagram clip of the final pyramid reached 18 million views in 24 hours, making it the most-viewed cheerleading clip in digital sports history.
Messages of congratulations poured in from across the globe, including former Alabama football stars Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa, and even a surprise message from Beyoncé, who posted,
> “Alabama Cheer… Y’ALL DID THAT 🔥👑”
What’s Next?
With their new global title, the team has received invitations to perform at:
The 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremonies in Madrid
The Halftime Show of the College Football Playoff National Championship
And an exclusive performance at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Parade of Champions
Back in Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama announced it will hold a campus-wide celebration and parade next week to honor the squad’s achievement, with the newly built “Spirit of Champions” Plaza outside Coleman Coliseum being named in their honor.
From sideline icons to global legends, the Crimson Tide Cheerleaders have shown the world that Alabama doesn’t just win on the field — they soar above it.
Filed by Global Athletics Correspondent – ESPN Spirit Division – July 19, 2025
