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13 Mar 2025, Thu

Discover how a fight at the NCA sparked chaos and suspension in Dallas

Dallas Police


A sudden disturbance rocked Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas during the NCA All-Star National Championship, one of the largest cheerleading events in the United States. Around 1:00 p.m. local time, a fight between two individuals led to multiple poles being knocked over inside the venue, creating a loud noise that triggered widespread panic among the over 58,000 attendees, including cheerleaders, families, and spectators. The incident, initially mistaken for a possible shooting, caused a mass stampede as people rushed out of the building into downtown Dallas streets, resulting in several minor injuries and the cancellation of the day’s activities by the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). Dallas police quickly intervened to manage the situation, confirming no active shooter was involved, though the chaos left a lasting mark on an event drawing competitors from 43 states and nine countries.

The NCA All-Star National Championship, which began on Thursday and was slated to run through Sunday, typically attracts tens of thousands to Dallas, boosting the local economy with packed hotels and side events. The fight, occurring during a peak crowd moment, turned a festive atmosphere into tension, with videos capturing throngs spilling across streets near the convention center and the Omni Hotel. Dallas police set up a family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street to assist separated parents and children, while emergency crews treated the injured on-site. As of now, no arrests related to the incident have been reported, but investigations continue to uncover the full details of the altercation.

Swift action by authorities and the NCA’s decision to suspend the event prevented greater harm, yet the episode exposed the challenges of managing large crowds in enclosed spaces. With over 30,000 registered cheerleaders, the championship is a cornerstone of the American sports calendar, and its disruption raised questions about the remaining schedule. As calm returned by early evening, normalcy began to take hold, with DART public transit resuming operations, albeit with delays.

Chaos erupted from a simple altercation

Two individuals sparked the turmoil by engaging in a physical dispute inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. During the scuffle, they knocked over several poles, producing a loud crash that reverberated through the venue and alarmed attendees. The sudden noise, described as sharp and startling, led many to assume gunfire, prompting an immediate rush toward the exits.

Dallas police clarified that no shooting occurred, but the resulting panic created a hazardous situation. People tripped and fell in the scramble to escape, sustaining minor injuries like cuts and sprains, which were treated by on-site medical teams. The stampede spilled into nearby streets, complicating initial efforts to restore order.

Quick response averted disaster

Authorities moved fast to dispel rumors of an active shooter that began circulating on social media shortly after the incident. By 2:35 p.m., Dallas police used X to confirm no shooting threat existed, urging the public to avoid the area around the convention center and Omni Hotel while investigations proceeded.

Event’s scale magnified the fallout

The NCA All-Star National Championship stands as one of the world’s premier cheerleading events, drawing over 58,000 people, including 30,000 athletes from 43 U.S. states and nine countries. Held annually at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the championship turns Dallas into a hub of sports and tourism, featuring competitions, performances, and commercial activations from brands like Fabletics and Hoppenly Gifts & Toys.

The altercation happened at a high-traffic moment, with families, teams, and spectators filling the 93,000-square-meter venue. The falling poles, though an isolated incident, triggered a ripple effect due to the dense crowd, shifting a celebratory event into disorder. The NCA announced the suspension of Saturday’s competitions by 2:15 p.m., leaving participants and organizers awaiting further guidance.

Timeline of the Dallas disruption

The NCA interruption unfolded rapidly on Saturday. Key moments include:

  • 1:00 p.m.: Fight between two people topples poles inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
  • 1:40 p.m.: Panic spreads, with crowds fleeing the building.
  • 2:15 p.m.: NCA suspends the day’s competitions.
  • 2:35 p.m.: Police confirm no shooting and set up a reunification center.

This timeline illustrates how the situation escalated and subsided within hours, with immediate effects on the event’s schedule.

Collateral damage from the uproar

Several individuals sustained minor injuries during the stampede, with reports of falls and trampling as the crowd surged toward exits. Emergency teams treated those affected on-site, and by early evening, no serious injuries or hospitalizations were noted. Police emphasized that the injuries stemmed from the panic, not direct violence among attendees.

Public transit faced disruptions as well, with DART halting train operations in the area due to police activity. By 2:45 p.m., services resumed, though delays persisted, affecting those leaving downtown Dallas. The chaotic movement onto streets like Griffin Street further snarled local traffic.

Social media captured the frenzy

Thousands of attendees and spectators flocked to X to report the incident in real time. Early posts speculated about a shooting, reflecting the immediate fear sparked by the crashing poles. Videos from witnesses showed cheerleaders in uniforms and families dashing through streets, with sirens audible in the background.

The rapid spread of conflicting reports fueled the panic, but updates from police and the NCA helped clarify the situation. Later posts expressed relief at the absence of a shooter, though many criticized the initial lack of details about the fight that set everything off.

Fascinating facts about NCA and the venue

The event and incident shed light on notable aspects of the championship and its location:

  • The NCA All-Star National Championship awards over 700 points toward the League by Varsity All Star.
  • The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center ranks among the largest in the U.S., accommodating over 60,000 people.
  • Dallas has hosted the event for 30 years, drawing about 1 million visitors annually to the venue.

These figures underscore the championship’s significance and the disruption’s broad impact.

A Saturday of uncertainty in Dallas

The fight that halted the NCA All-Star National Championship turned a day of competition into a scene of temporary chaos. Dallas police are still probing the altercation’s details, but no arrests or identities of those involved have been disclosed. The family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street proved vital in reconnecting parents and children separated in the rush, while event security and authorities worked to restore order at the venue.

The cancellation of Saturday’s activities cast doubt over the event’s future, with the NCA yet to release a revised schedule for the remaining competitions. Participants and families, many traveling from afar, await updates while recovering from the scare. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, emptied after the evacuation, remained under police watch through the afternoon to ensure safety for a potential Sunday resumption.

The incident highlights the complexities of managing large-scale events, particularly in an era where rumors can spread instantly. For the cheerleaders, who trained for months, the day ended in frustration tempered by relief that the situation didn’t escalate further. As Dallas settled back into calm by dusk, attention turned to understanding how a single clash could unleash such widespread disorder at an event renowned for its organization and competitive spirit.



A sudden disturbance rocked Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas during the NCA All-Star National Championship, one of the largest cheerleading events in the United States. Around 1:00 p.m. local time, a fight between two individuals led to multiple poles being knocked over inside the venue, creating a loud noise that triggered widespread panic among the over 58,000 attendees, including cheerleaders, families, and spectators. The incident, initially mistaken for a possible shooting, caused a mass stampede as people rushed out of the building into downtown Dallas streets, resulting in several minor injuries and the cancellation of the day’s activities by the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). Dallas police quickly intervened to manage the situation, confirming no active shooter was involved, though the chaos left a lasting mark on an event drawing competitors from 43 states and nine countries.

The NCA All-Star National Championship, which began on Thursday and was slated to run through Sunday, typically attracts tens of thousands to Dallas, boosting the local economy with packed hotels and side events. The fight, occurring during a peak crowd moment, turned a festive atmosphere into tension, with videos capturing throngs spilling across streets near the convention center and the Omni Hotel. Dallas police set up a family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street to assist separated parents and children, while emergency crews treated the injured on-site. As of now, no arrests related to the incident have been reported, but investigations continue to uncover the full details of the altercation.

Swift action by authorities and the NCA’s decision to suspend the event prevented greater harm, yet the episode exposed the challenges of managing large crowds in enclosed spaces. With over 30,000 registered cheerleaders, the championship is a cornerstone of the American sports calendar, and its disruption raised questions about the remaining schedule. As calm returned by early evening, normalcy began to take hold, with DART public transit resuming operations, albeit with delays.

Chaos erupted from a simple altercation

Two individuals sparked the turmoil by engaging in a physical dispute inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. During the scuffle, they knocked over several poles, producing a loud crash that reverberated through the venue and alarmed attendees. The sudden noise, described as sharp and startling, led many to assume gunfire, prompting an immediate rush toward the exits.

Dallas police clarified that no shooting occurred, but the resulting panic created a hazardous situation. People tripped and fell in the scramble to escape, sustaining minor injuries like cuts and sprains, which were treated by on-site medical teams. The stampede spilled into nearby streets, complicating initial efforts to restore order.

Quick response averted disaster

Authorities moved fast to dispel rumors of an active shooter that began circulating on social media shortly after the incident. By 2:35 p.m., Dallas police used X to confirm no shooting threat existed, urging the public to avoid the area around the convention center and Omni Hotel while investigations proceeded.

Event’s scale magnified the fallout

The NCA All-Star National Championship stands as one of the world’s premier cheerleading events, drawing over 58,000 people, including 30,000 athletes from 43 U.S. states and nine countries. Held annually at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, the championship turns Dallas into a hub of sports and tourism, featuring competitions, performances, and commercial activations from brands like Fabletics and Hoppenly Gifts & Toys.

The altercation happened at a high-traffic moment, with families, teams, and spectators filling the 93,000-square-meter venue. The falling poles, though an isolated incident, triggered a ripple effect due to the dense crowd, shifting a celebratory event into disorder. The NCA announced the suspension of Saturday’s competitions by 2:15 p.m., leaving participants and organizers awaiting further guidance.

Timeline of the Dallas disruption

The NCA interruption unfolded rapidly on Saturday. Key moments include:

  • 1:00 p.m.: Fight between two people topples poles inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
  • 1:40 p.m.: Panic spreads, with crowds fleeing the building.
  • 2:15 p.m.: NCA suspends the day’s competitions.
  • 2:35 p.m.: Police confirm no shooting and set up a reunification center.

This timeline illustrates how the situation escalated and subsided within hours, with immediate effects on the event’s schedule.

Collateral damage from the uproar

Several individuals sustained minor injuries during the stampede, with reports of falls and trampling as the crowd surged toward exits. Emergency teams treated those affected on-site, and by early evening, no serious injuries or hospitalizations were noted. Police emphasized that the injuries stemmed from the panic, not direct violence among attendees.

Public transit faced disruptions as well, with DART halting train operations in the area due to police activity. By 2:45 p.m., services resumed, though delays persisted, affecting those leaving downtown Dallas. The chaotic movement onto streets like Griffin Street further snarled local traffic.

Social media captured the frenzy

Thousands of attendees and spectators flocked to X to report the incident in real time. Early posts speculated about a shooting, reflecting the immediate fear sparked by the crashing poles. Videos from witnesses showed cheerleaders in uniforms and families dashing through streets, with sirens audible in the background.

The rapid spread of conflicting reports fueled the panic, but updates from police and the NCA helped clarify the situation. Later posts expressed relief at the absence of a shooter, though many criticized the initial lack of details about the fight that set everything off.

Fascinating facts about NCA and the venue

The event and incident shed light on notable aspects of the championship and its location:

  • The NCA All-Star National Championship awards over 700 points toward the League by Varsity All Star.
  • The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center ranks among the largest in the U.S., accommodating over 60,000 people.
  • Dallas has hosted the event for 30 years, drawing about 1 million visitors annually to the venue.

These figures underscore the championship’s significance and the disruption’s broad impact.

A Saturday of uncertainty in Dallas

The fight that halted the NCA All-Star National Championship turned a day of competition into a scene of temporary chaos. Dallas police are still probing the altercation’s details, but no arrests or identities of those involved have been disclosed. The family reunification center at 400 Lamar Street proved vital in reconnecting parents and children separated in the rush, while event security and authorities worked to restore order at the venue.

The cancellation of Saturday’s activities cast doubt over the event’s future, with the NCA yet to release a revised schedule for the remaining competitions. Participants and families, many traveling from afar, await updates while recovering from the scare. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, emptied after the evacuation, remained under police watch through the afternoon to ensure safety for a potential Sunday resumption.

The incident highlights the complexities of managing large-scale events, particularly in an era where rumors can spread instantly. For the cheerleaders, who trained for months, the day ended in frustration tempered by relief that the situation didn’t escalate further. As Dallas settled back into calm by dusk, attention turned to understanding how a single clash could unleash such widespread disorder at an event renowned for its organization and competitive spirit.



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