A false alarm at a Dallas cheer competition sparked chaos and now, a lawsuit.
DALLAS — Nine families are suing Varsity Spirit, Varsity Brands, and several event operators over a mass panic during the 2025 NCA All-Star National Championship in Dallas that they say left them physically and emotionally injured due to a lack of safety planning.
Filed in Dallas County on June 6, the lawsuit claims organizers and venue operators—including OVG Facilities, Oak View Group, Global Spectrum, and Omni Hotels Management Corporation—failed to provide basic security measures when loud bangs sparked chaos at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and the connected Omni Dallas Hotel.
The plaintiffs, who come from across the country, were attending the event on March 1 with their children when a series of loud, repetitive noises were mistaken for gunfire, triggering stampedes inside the venues. The NCA Nationals hosted nearly 60,000 athletes, coaches and spectators.
“If they’re going to put on an event of that size, they provide adequate protections and safety that those patrons deserve,” said Ashlea Schwarz, an attorney with Paul LLP representing the families out of Kansas City, Missouri.
Schwarz said her clients suffered concussions, broken bones, torn ligaments, and emotional trauma. One woman, according to the suit, was trampled, knocked unconscious, and woke up in the ICU with two brain bleeds.
“There were no serious injuries—no life-threatening injuries? Tell that to my client who was in the ICU for days with a double brain bleed,” Schwarz said.
The lawsuit alleges that while the event was governed by safety and security protocols established by the Convention Center, no emergency plans were implemented during the panic. Plaintiffs claim that no announcements were made to calm the crowd, no evacuation protocols were executed, and that security staff ran with attendees rather than assisting.
“The security was running with all of the patrons there,” Schwarz said. “They weren’t stopping to help direct.”
According to the filing, some children were separated from their parents and had no way to reconnect. One minor hid under a semi-truck. Another thought her mother had been shot and killed after witnessing her fall and suffer a head injury.
The filing alleges that despite the presence of metal detectors and other safety tools at the venue, they were not used. The families also claim that Varsity and the venue operators failed to screen bags, establish a clear-bag policy, or position security in key common areas.
Schwarz said this may be the first of many lawsuits tied to the incident.
“This is believed to be the first lawsuit filed in connection with this incident,” said Schwarz. “But we’ve had roughly 200 families reach out to us. Each one has a case.”
Representatives for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center said they are unable to comment on pending litigation, but “safety has always been — and will remain — our top priority.”
“We are aware of the lawsuit that has been filed. As this is a legal matter, we will not comment on pending litigation. Safety has always been — and will remain — our top priority,” their statement to WFAA read.
After the panic, Varsity Spirit offered refunds, free counseling and a virtual make-up competition for teams that were unable to compete at the event.
As of publication, none of the named defendants—Varsity Spirit, Varsity Brands, OVG Facilities, Oak View Group, Global Spectrum, or Omni Hotels Management Corporation—have responded to a request for comment.
The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1 million in damages.
