STATE CENTRAL: Competitive Dance

The 2026 IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals, presented by COUNTRY Financial, are set for Friday and Saturday, January 30-31 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

The 2025-26 school year is the 125th in the IHSA's storied history. Learn more about some of the pivotal athletes, coaches, and moments from the IHSA's first 125 years here.

A schedule and links to important state final info can be found below…

---2026 IHSA COMPETITIVE DANCE STATE FINALS---
Friday & Saturday, January 30-31
Grossinger Motors Arena | Bloomington | Directions
Tickets | $12 cash per day (no reentry)
NFHS Network Streaming
Performance Order | Friday | Saturday
State Final Info
State Final Merchandise | Minerva Promotions
Download/Order State Final Program | PIP Printing
Photos from Visual Image Photography
Visit BN | Info on restaurants, hotels, etc.

---STATE FINAL SCHEDULE---
Friday, January 30
10:15 AM | Class 1A/2A Prelim Performances | Watch
2:40 PM | Class 1A Finalists Announced
2:50 PM | Class 2A Finalists Announced

4:15 PM | Class 3A Prelim Performances | Watch
7:40 PM | Class 3A Finalists Announced

Saturday, January 31
11:00 AM | Class 1A/2A Final Performances | Watch
12:45 PM | Class 1A Awards
1:00 PM | Class 2A Awards

2:00 PM | Class 3A Final Performances | Watch
3:30 PM | Class 3A Awards

CLASS 1A
2026 Sectional Champions : Jacksonville (93.67); Marion (89.73); Morton (89.30); Joliet Catholic Academy (88.23); Southland College Prep Charter (86.03)
Preview: Jacksonville has finished in the Top 2 in Class 1A in three consecutive seasons, including a pair of state titles in 2023 and 2024. Joliet Catholic Academy captured four straight trophies from 2019 to 2022 and hopes to get back on the podium in 2026 after sixth or better the past three seasons. Marion has been on the precipice of the first trophy in school history, as the school has placed 7^th or better at state the past four seasons
Southland College Prep Charter is making its first state final appearance in school history and enters with the momentum of a Sectional title. Highland is another program worth watching, as the Bulldogs had a top Sectional score (90.57), despite finishing behind Jacksonville, and boast a storied tradition (9 total trophies).

CLASS 2A
2026 Sectional Champions : Geneva (95.13); Lake Forest (93.25); Washington (92.15); Lake Zurich (92.00); Nazareth Academy (88.03)
Preview: Geneva remains the state's premier program in the sport, as the Vikings won their sixth state title a year ago and have won a trophy in all but two seasons since the tourney began in 2013. Lake Forest won state titles in 2023 and 2024 and the Sectional champion Scouts don't appear to have missed a beat with a new coach in 2026. After a two-year hiatus, three-time state champion Lake Zurich returned to the podium in 2025 when they placed second. The Bears could bring home the eighth trophy in program history this weekend. Washington is back at state for the 10^th time overall and hopes to make its first Top 10 appearance in school history this weekend, as does fellow Sectional winner Nazareth. Burlington Central (91.30), Sycamore (90.57), Glenbard South (90.22), and Bradley-Bourbonnais (90.03) add even more depth to a crowded 2A field, as all four programs eclipsed 90 with their Sectional scores.

CLASS 3A
2026 Sectional Champions : Barrington (94.63); Lyons (94.20); Lake Park (93.37); Lockport (91.60); Naperville North (91.15)
Preview: Lake Park has been the gold standard in Class 3A, as the defending state champs have won three of the last four titles in the state's largest class. Barrington hopes to breakthrough and win its first state title in 2026 after the Fillies placed second in 3A the past three seasons. Lyons could be on the verge of the first trophy in program history, as the school notched its best finish ever at state year ago when it placed seventh and has now won back-to-back Sectional crowns. The Lions Sectional title was especially impressive against the backdrop of their deep Sectional field, which saw five of six qualifiers score 90 or better, including Maine South (91.97), Whitney Young (91.90), Andrew (90.43), and Sandburg (90.30). Naperville North won a state title back in 2019 and reemerged as a contender last year when the Huskies placed third. Sectional winner Lockport is seeking its first Top 10 finish in program history this weekend, while Oswego East is looking for its second in a row (10^th in 2026) after a strong Sectional showing (90.33).