What Are Gymnastics Meets? A Complete Guide
For new gym parents, the world of gymnastics meets can feel overwhelming. This interactive guide will help you understand the different types of competitions, from local invitationals to national championships.
Use the tabs below to explore different aspects of gymnastics meets, or scroll down to see the complete comparison table and detailed breakdowns.
Understanding Gymnastics Meets
At the simplest level, a gymnastics meet is a competition where gymnasts perform routines in front of certified judges, who assign scores based on execution, artistry, and difficulty. Meets are organized into different tiers — from small local practice events to world-class competitions.
Key Meet Categories:
📚 Practice & Local Meets
Low-pressure competitions designed for learning and experience:
- Intrasquad/Mock Meets: Within your own gym, no travel required
- Invitationals: Most common meet type, open to all levels
- Showcase/Fun Meets: Unsanctioned, participation-focused
🏆 Qualifying & Championship Meets
Competitive meets that require qualification or lead to advancement:
- Sectionals/Districts: Score minimum requirements to advance
- State Championships: Crown state champions, qualify to Regionals
- Regional Championships: Multi-state competition
- National Championships: Highest domestic competition level
⭐ Elite & Collegiate
Advanced competitive pathways:
- Elite Pathway: Hopes, Classics, U.S. Championships, Olympic Trials
- NCAA: College varsity gymnastics with team scoring
- NAIGC: College club gymnastics league
Interactive Meet Comparison
| Meet Type | Who It’s For | Purpose | Qualification | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intrasquad/Mock Meet | New or returning athletes in one gym | Low-pressure practice; simulate meet day | No qualification | Pre-season or early season |
| Dual/Tri/Quad Meet | 2-4 teams (common in NCAA) | Head-to-head, team scoring | No qualification | Throughout season |
| Invitational | All levels, DP & Xcel | Experience, scoring opportunities, team bonding | No qualification | Fall-spring (varies by state) |
| Sectional/District/Qualifier | States/regions requiring “score to State” | Earn qualifying score for State | Achieve minimum AA score | Mid-season |
| State Championships | All DP levels & all Xcel divisions | Crown state champions; mobility & advancement | Meet qualifying score + age criteria | Late season |
| Regional Championships | Top athletes from each state | Multi-state competition; qualifier to Nationals | Placement/score at State | Late season |
| Nationals | DP Levels 9-10, Xcel Platinum/Diamond/Sapphire, Elite | National titles, rankings, recruiting exposure | Placement/score at Regionals | End of season |
| Showcase/Fun Meet | Rec & pre-team athletes | Performance & participation, not official scoring | No qualification | Flexible |
| Collegiate (NCAA/NAIGC) | NCAA varsity or NAIGC club teams | Team scoring & championships | Conference/regionals or club qualifiers | Jan-Apr (NCAA); Spring (NAIGC) |
| Elite Pathway | Elite-track athletes | National team selection; international pipeline | Formal elite qualification process | Spring-summer |
Detailed Meet Breakdown
Beginner Intrasquad / Mock Meets
What It Is: Low-pressure practice meets run within a gymnast’s own gym.
Purpose: Simulates the structure of a real meet (march-in, timed warm-ups, routines, awards) without travel or high stakes.
Good For: New competitors, testing choreography, or giving athletes a confidence boost before the season begins.
What to Expect: Coaches may invite parents and siblings to watch while routines are judged informally.
All Levels Invitational Meets
What It Is: The bread and butter of a gymnastics season – hosted by a club, often inviting dozens of teams.
Format: Some are small and local, others are large “destination” meets in hotels or arenas.
Purpose: Give gymnasts real scoring opportunities and lots of experience in front of judges.
Extras: Many feature themed leotards, athlete parties, or unique medals and trophies.
Note: For most gymnasts, invitationals make up the bulk of the season.
Mid-Level Sectionals / Districts / Qualifiers
What It Is: Often nicknamed “Score-to-State” meets.
Purpose: Ensure that only gymnasts who hit a minimum all-around score can advance to State Championships.
Variation: Some states require one qualifying score; others allow multiple chances.
What to Expect: More competitive atmosphere as gymnasts aim to meet qualifying standards.
Championship State Championships
What It Is: A major milestone – every gymnast dreams of qualifying here.
Purpose: Crowns state champions in each level/division and often determines advancement to Regionals.
Atmosphere: More formal than invitationals, with march-ins, national anthems, and professional award ceremonies.
Significance: For many, it’s the highlight of their season.
Advanced Regional Championships
What It Is: The step up from State – brings together top athletes from multiple states.
Structure: USA Gymnastics Women’s Program has eight regions across the country.
Purpose: Elevates competition to the multi-state level.
Advancement: For optional levels (DP Levels 9-10, and upper Xcel), Regionals serve as the qualifier to Nationals.
Elite National Championships
What It Is: The pinnacle of domestic competition.
Who Competes:
- Development Program: Levels 9-10
- Xcel: Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire divisions
- Elite Nationals: Separate from DP/Xcel, part of elite pathway
Significance: Where athletes are seen by college recruiters or considered for national teams.
Fun Showcase / Fun Meets
What It Is: Unsanctioned meets that celebrate gymnastics without the pressure of qualification.
Who It’s For: Rec teams, pre-team, and crossover athletes.
Purpose: Encourage love for the sport through performance and fun.
What to Expect: Creative routines, relaxed judging, and participation medals.
College Collegiate Meets (NCAA & NAIGC)
NCAA: Teams compete in dual, tri, or quad formats; the season culminates in Conference Championships, NCAA Regionals, and Nationals. Meets are fast-paced, spectator-friendly, and often televised.
NAIGC: A college club league that offers inclusive divisions and hosts a large Nationals event each spring.
Format Shift: Once athletes reach college, the meet format focuses more on team scoring than individual advancement.
Elite The Elite Pathway
What It Is: For a select few, the elite pathway is the road to international competition.
Steps:
- Hopes or Elite status verification
- Classics (qualifying meet)
- U.S. Championships
- Olympic Trials (in Olympic years)
Beyond Nationals: Top gymnasts represent their country at World Cups, World Championships, and the Olympics.
Gymnastics Meet Progression (With Requirements)
This progression map shows the typical pathway through the competitive season, including specific mobility scores and entry requirements based on USA Gymnastics national Rules & Policies.
Step 1 Intrasquad / Mock Meets
Purpose: Low-pressure, practice competitions inside the gym. They mimic a real meet (march-in, warm-ups, routines, awards) without travel or formal scoring pressure.
Who Competes: Pre-team, compulsory (DP 1-5), and sometimes returning gymnasts testing new routines.
Requirements:
- No mobility or qualifying score needed
- Usually unsanctioned; if sanctioned, athletes must be USAG-registered
Progression: Does not advance to championships. Purely for confidence and experience.
Step 2 Invitational Meets
Purpose: The backbone of the season. Provides real competition experience, feedback from judges, and (in sanctioned invitationals) official scores.
Who Competes: All Development Program (DP) levels 1-10 and all Xcel divisions (Bronze-Sapphire).
Requirements:
- No qualification required to enter
- Scores earned here can count toward mobility to higher levels
USAG Mobility Scores (to move up a level):
- Level 4 → 5: 34.00 AA
- Level 5 → 6/7: 32.00 AA
- Level 6 → 7: 32.00 AA
- Level 7 → 8: 32.00 AA
- Level 8 → 9: 34.00 AA
- Level 9 → 10: 34.00 AA
Progression: Invitationals don’t lead directly to championships, but they’re where many gymnasts achieve their qualifying score for State.
Step 3 Sectionals / District Qualifiers
Purpose: Acts as a “score-to-State” checkpoint. Not all states hold them, but where they exist, gymnasts must post a qualifying AA score before State.
Who Competes: Gymnasts in states that require this step.
Requirements:
- Must achieve a minimum all-around score (varies by level and state; commonly 30.00-34.00)
- Must meet age eligibility for their level (e.g., 7 years old for Level 4)
Progression: Once the score is earned, gymnasts can advance to State Championships.
Step 4 State Championships
Purpose: The most important meet within each state. Crowns state champions and, for higher levels, determines advancement to Regionals.
Who Competes: All DP levels (2-10) and all Xcel divisions (Bronze-Sapphire).
Requirements:
- Must achieve the state qualifying score (set annually; typically ~30-32 AA for compulsories, ~32-34 AA for optionals and Xcel)
- Must have competed in at least one sanctioned meet prior to State
- Must meet USAG age requirements for the level
Progression:
- DP Levels 1-5 (compulsories): End at State
- DP Levels 6-10 and upper Xcel (Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire): Top athletes advance to Regionals
Step 5 Regional Championships
Purpose: Multi-state championship for each region (eight total in Women’s Artistic DP).
Who Competes: Top qualifiers from State.
Requirements: Advancement based on State placement or score, depending on level.
Common Standards:
- Level 6-8: Percentage of top athletes from State
- Level 9-10: Must achieve 34.00 AA at State and place within top group of their age division
- Xcel Platinum-Sapphire: Top percentage or qualifying score from State
Progression:
- Levels 6-8: Often end at Regionals
- Levels 9-10 and Xcel Platinum-Sapphire: Advance to Nationals if they place high enough
Step 6 National Championships
Purpose: The pinnacle of the domestic season. Determines national champions and is often a showcase for college recruiting and national team selection.
Who Competes:
- DP Nationals: Levels 9 and 10 qualifiers from Regionals
- Xcel Nationals: Platinum, Diamond, Sapphire divisions
- Elite Nationals: Separate qualification pathway (Classics → U.S. Championships → Trials)
Requirements:
- Qualification is earned at Regionals
- Athletes must meet USAG age eligibility for their level
Typical Cutoffs (vary annually):
- Level 10: Top 7 per age division in each region
- Level 9: Top 12 per age division in each region
Progression:
- For most athletes, Nationals are the final meet of the year
- For Elite athletes, Nationals feed into U.S. Championships, Olympic Trials, and international events
Visual Progression Map
Intrasquad
Practice only
Invitationals
No qual needed
Qualifiers
Score 30-34 AA
State
1+ sanctioned meet
Regionals
Top at State
Nationals
Top at Regionals
Key Notes for Parents
- Mobility scores only apply to moving up a level (e.g., 4→5, 8→9)
- Qualifying scores to State/Regionals/Nationals vary slightly by state or region, but the framework is consistent nationwide
- Compulsory levels (1-5) usually stop at State, while optionals and upper Xcel divisions can climb the full ladder to Nationals
- Always check your state or regional USAG site for exact score cutoffs each year
Level-Specific Pathways
Compulsory Levels (1-5)
Intrasquad → Invitationals → State Championships (END)
Focus: Building fundamentals and learning required routines
Optional Levels (6-8)
Intrasquad → Invitationals → Qualifiers → State → Regionals (END for most)
Focus: Custom routines with difficulty choices
Upper Optional (9-10)
Intrasquad → Invitationals → Qualifiers → State → Regionals → Nationals
Focus: College recruitment and highest level skills
Xcel (Bronze-Sapphire)
Invitationals → State → (Platinum/Diamond/Sapphire: Regionals → Nationals)
Focus: Flexible training with alternative competitive pathway