In an earth-shaking upset that’s rewriting cheerleading history, the Michigan State Spartans Cheerleading Squad has been officially named the #1 Cheerleading Team in the World by ESPN after an absolutely jaw-dropping performance that left audiences breathless and social media in total meltdown.
At the 2025 International Cheer Summit, the Spartans delivered a routine that looked more like a high-octane action sequence than a cheer performance. With aerial flips, synchronized tosses, impossible transitions, and an energy level that could power a city, the team crushed the competition and clinched the top global spot—a first in the university’s history.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said ESPN senior judge and former Olympic choreographer Tina Morales. “Michigan State didn’t just win—they ignited a revolution in cheerleading.”
The now-legendary stunt “The Spartan Storm”—a five-tier rotating tower that dismounted in simultaneous backflips—sent shockwaves through the arena and catapulted the squad to viral stardom. Within hours, their performance:
Hit 110M+ views across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
Became the #1 trending topic worldwide
Sparked reactions from celebrities, pro athletes, and even NASA (“We’re still figuring out how gravity allowed that,” joked one NASA rep)
Coach Danielle Hayes, now being hailed as a visionary in the cheer world, said in an emotional post-performance speech, “This team is the heart of Michigan State. They trained, bled, and believed—and today, they made history.”
The win elevates Michigan State above global powerhouses from Japan, France, Brazil, and even last year’s champions. The Spartans are now not just a collegiate force—they’re an international phenomenon.
Merch drops are selling out, fans are demanding a Netflix series, and ESPN has already re-aired the performance six times in 24 hours.
From the sidelines to the world stage, one thing is clear:
Michigan State just proved that Spartans don’t cheer—they conquer.
