The big game everyone’s been waiting for is just around the corner! Who are you betting on to win the Super Bowl: the Bills, the Lions, or the Chiefs? Before you put any money down, TikTok’s buzzing with a different kind of Super Bowl this season, and it’s not on the field. This competition is heating up on the marley floors. Welcome to what social media calls the “Dance Super Bowl,” officially known as the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Nationals, where collegiate dance teams fly out to compete against each other at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The organization was first started in 1980 by Jeff Webb and Kris Shepherd. There are three rounds— preliminary, semifinals, and finals—and if a team advances to the final round, they can perform their dance up to three times. With three intensive divisions— jazz, pom, and hip-hop— the stakes are high. College teams can submit dances in a maximum of two out of the three divisions and the competition spans over the entire weekend.
Teams spend all year working endlessly with choreographers to create unmatched routines where technique, synchronization, and passion are perfected. Last year, first-place trophies were taken home by The University of Minnesota in jazz, The Ohio State University (OSU) in pom, and The Louisiana State University (LSU) in hip-hop. They are known as the “Big Three.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m sure you’d recognize their costumes or music from clips online:
- Minnesota’s sparkly blue costumes and perfect turns were to Aerosmith’s “Dream On”
- OSU’s iconic red ties and hats brought to life the old-school elegance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”
- LSU’s sharp moves and fully white outfit embodied Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”
Due to the increasing online fan presence, the UDA Nationals have grown in popularity. Last week, the University of Minnesota Dance Team sold-out Williams Arena before their performance debuted. This was the only opportunity for fans who couldn’t wait until this weekend to catch a glimpse of the highly anticipated routine. It was originally supposed to be a practice performance and fundraiser, but this achievement shows the increasing recognition college dance is gaining.
This year, the rivalry is more fierce than ever. All eyes are on the defending champions who are already hard at work. Their routines are kept a secret and fans are speculating theories from possible “hints” these teams have been dropping. Does a member of the LSU team posting a TikTok eating M&Ms mean they’re dancing to “Slim Shady” by Eminem? I guess we’ll find out this weekend! Tune in January 17 to 19 to catch a glimpse of the amazing talent and fierce competition that’ll hit the stage.
