How to sign up for a gymnastics meet

If you're used to signing your child up for activities yourself, gymnastics meets work a little differently: your gym does most of it. Here's how it works, step by step. For everything else about meets, see the ultimate guide to gymnastics meets.

Step 1: Join a competitive team

Most sanctioned meets take entries from gyms, not individual families, so gymnasts compete as part of their gym's team. If your gymnast isn't on a team yet, read when is my child ready for a gymnastics meet.

Step 2: Get your membership in order

To compete in USA Gymnastics sanctioned meets, gymnasts need a current athlete membership. Your gym will tell you how to register and by when. Other organizations have their own memberships.

Step 3: Your coach picks the meets

Coaches build the team's season schedule and decide which level each gymnast competes. Many gyms share the schedule at the start of the season. You can look ahead at meets on Vault's meet calendar.

Step 4: Pay meet fees

Your gym enters the team with the host and bills families for entry fees, sometimes per meet and sometimes as a season fee. See what a gymnastics meet costs for typical amounts.

Step 5: Watch for session times

Hosts assign each level and age group to a session, and session schedules often come out closer to the meet, once entries are in. Your coach will share your gymnast's session, report time, and anything to bring. Many meets on Vault post their schedule on their meet page.

Step 6: Show up ready

Pack the night before, arrive at your report time, and enjoy it. Our guide covers what happens on meet day.

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