🌍 Worlds Bids: Everything you need to know! (S1.6)

janie724
Jun 17
3 min read

Updated: Jun 19

Episode of February 20, 2024

In Episode 6 of Season 1 of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, the hosts dive into a topic that comes up every season in the world of cheerleading: Worlds bids. It's often a confusing topic for athletes, and even more so for parents. In this article, we explain everything clearly and straightforwardly.

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🎫 What are “Worlds Bids”?

A bid (or invitation) is a qualification to participate in the IASF Cheerleading World Championships (Worlds). It is not given to everyone: you must earn this bid in specific competitions, based on your team's performance.

*IASF stands for International All-Star Federation

📦 The different types of Bids

There are several types of bids, each with its own particularities:

Full-Paid Bid: Everything is paid for (or almost everything). This is the most prestigious bid, but also the most difficult to obtain. We're talking about a grant of approximately $25,000 CAD. The amount can vary depending on the number of athletes on the team and the event producer.
Partially-Paid Bid: As the name suggests, a portion of the costs is covered. The average grant is around $5,000 CAD, but it can vary depending on the event producer.
At-Large Bid: This is an unpaid invitation, but it still allows you to participate in the Worlds.

The prize money is paid by the event producers and not by the IASF, contrary to popular belief.

In the podcast, Janie Lapierre and the hosts explain that these bids are not always easy to obtain—especially in the final competitions where the choices become strategic.

🏁 Who decides the bids?

The decision is made by the judges and the event producer, based on several criteria:

The team(s) with the highest score (including legalities and deductions)
Potential for Kick's best representation internationally
Number of teams and quality of teams already qualified in the category
Any other consideration deemed relevant by Kick's and the judges

But be careful: there can also be disappointments. Some coaches cry, parents get frustrated, and kids don't always understand. This is normal. The process can be complex and emotional.

⏳ Why does it take so long to get the results?

If you've ever waited 40 minutes or more for an awards ceremony, here's why: During that time, the organizers analyze all the scores, discuss which bids to submit, and make some very important decisions for the teams. The longer it goes on, the more difficult the deliberation becomes.

However, over the years, thanks to Kick's technology and innovation, the wait is now reduced to a minimum.

Is it easy to get a bid?

In 2024, the technical answer was yes. There are often more bids than teams. So, if a team uses a good strategy, by the end of the season, all teams have the possibility of leaving with a bid. (Note that the reality was very different in 2025.)

But…

Just because you're invited to the Worlds doesn't mean you'll shine.
The real challenge is to perform well there , because the world level is very high.

🏆 Once you get to Worlds…

It's a different world. The United States is ahead in terms of level, structure, and sports culture. There, cheerleading is integrated into everyday life.

But the good news is that Quebec and Canadian teams have nothing to envy at this level. There are more and more teams ranking in the world's top three and bringing home globes.

📊 How are the teams chosen for the final?

Although 10 Canadian teams participate in the qualifiers in each category, only three per country can advance to the finals. That's why event producers try to identify who can really go far and adjust their bid strategy accordingly.

💬 What we remember

Bids are important, but they're just the beginning.
Perform, work hard, and stay humble.
Parents: Be patient and informed; decisions are rarely taken lightly.
Athletes: Getting a bid is good… But getting to the final and standing on the podium is better.