What is the NCA Dallas cheer competition?

DALLAS — Dallas police responded to an incident in Downtown Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where the annual NCA All-Star National Championship was being held. 

Sources tell WFAA parents were fighting at the convention center. Numerous social media users expressed concern about a possible shooting, but police sources told WFAA there were no shots fired. Police were continuing to respond and search the convention center area Saturday afternoon.

Also, police had set up a reunification center for families at the Dallas Police Department, loc ated at 1400 Botham Jean Blvd., as hundreds of athletes and families could be seen evacuating the convention center area when the incident happened Saturday.

Varsity Brands, who run the NCA cheer competition, issued the following statement Saturday afternoon:

“The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has been evacuated as a precaution based on reports of a safety concern. NCA security officials are working with law enforcement to quickly investigate these reports. 

As a precaution, we have suspended activities for today and will continue to work with event staff and local authorities to ensure a safe environment when we resume the event.”

The competition is one of the biggest sporting events held in Dallas each year.

The 2025 NCA All-Star National Championship was celebrating its 30th anniversary in Dallas and was tabbed as the largest competition in its history, drawing 1,712 teams with 30,410 athletes and 3,700 coaches from 43 states and nine countries. 

The competition, scheduled for Feb. 28 to March 2, will take place in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center downtown. It is estimated to generate $64 million in economic impact, according to the Dallas Sports Commission. 

For more information about the competition, click here.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information.