It's time to officlly take cheerleading pro! Varsity Spirit proudly announces the Pro Cheer League — the first professional cheerleading league created exclusively for elite athletes aged 18 and older. This historic launch marks a transformative moment for the sport of cheerleading, creating an opportunity for athletes to continue their careers beyond high school and college. The Pro Cheer League empowers elite performers to continue to compete at the highest level. 

The Pro Cheer League athlete application is linked here.

All You Need To Know About The Pro Cheer League:

The inaugural season of the Pro Cheer League will debut in 2026 with four founding teams based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, and San Diego. Each team will be comprised of 30 of the most talented cheerleaders in the country, selected through a competitive selection process that will be held this fall. This selection process will be led by renowned gym owners, many of whom have trained the nation’s top athletes. Pro Cheer League team members will receive elite training and part-time compensation, including wages, travel and lodging, uniforms, bonuses, and prize incentives.

Each team is set to be led by team managers who bring decades of experience, innovation, and athlete development: 

• Atlanta:  Casey Jones and Roger Schonder, two icons of Southern cheer leadership with a deep commitment to athlete excellence. 
• Dallas: Brad Habermel, Angela Rogers, and Jody Melton, a dream team of Texas legends driving innovation and performance. 
• Miami: Kristen and Victor Rosario, trailblazers known for their elite coaching and championship legacy. 
• Southern California: Tannaz Kirichkow, a West Coast force with a bold vision for professional cheer’s next chapter.

Pro Cheer League staff and coaches will undergo comprehensive training. Additionally, certified oversight teams will ensure compliance with established standards from USA Cheer. The Pro Cheer League is also building for the future, with plans to add more teams, expand nationally and create even more access points for athletes and fans alike.

When Will The Pro Cheer League debut?  

This first season is set to begin in January 2026, with five events planned. These events are set to take place in Indianapolis, Houston, Atlanta, and Anaheim. The season will conclude in a dynamic championship event in Nashville. Each Pro Cheer League match will consist of three rounds of competition. Rounds one and two will feature cheerleading skills, including stunts, basket tosses, and tumbling in head-to-head, bracket-style rounds. The final round will be a creative routine set to music, highlighting choreography, creativity, athleticism and showmanship.

Mark these dates in your calendar today to see The Pro Cheer League live in action:

• Indianapolis: Weekend of January 16
• Atlanta: Weekend of February 13
• Houston: Weekend of February 27
• Anaheim: Weekend of March 13
• Nashville: Weekend of March 27

How To Join The Pro Cheer League: 

Team selections for the season begin this September. To learn more, join the mailing list, or apply to be a Pro Cheer League athlete, visit www.procheerleague.com and follow @ProCheerLeague on Instagram. 

This is an exciting moment for the future of cheerleading, providing athletes the ability to continue to grow their careers at the professional level. 

“Cheerleading popularity has exploded over the last decade and has become part of the Olympic movement in recent years,” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. “The Pro Cheer League represents a bold step forward, not just for the athletes, but for the future of our sport. We’re creating a Pro league to provide the ultimate opportunity for the most elite athletes from around the world. This will elevate cheer to its rightful place in sports by giving these remarkable athletes the visibility, opportunities and recognition they’ve earned.”