POP WARNER CHEER - 2026 SEASON
Program Overview
Our 2026 All-Year Cheer Program is a recreational cheerleading program that includes skill development, sideline cheer, and competitive cheer. The All-Year Cheer season runs March through early December (end date depends on competition advancement). All experience levels are welcome!
Spring Development focuses on learning and progressing core cheer skills, including tumbling, stunting, motions, and individual cheer technique.
Summer Conditioning emphasizes proper technique, physical conditioning, and learning and mastering sideline cheers.
Fall Season marks the start of sideline cheer and competition season. Athletes will cheer at Saturday football games and begin learning competition choreography. Teams will work toward a full competition routine to be performed at our Lutz Chiefs Showcase and local competitions in October, November, and December.
SCHEDULE
Spring Development – March, April & May
- March 24 – May 21
- Practices: 1 day per week - Tuesdays | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Summer Conditioning – June
- June 3 – June 27
- Practices: 1 day per week - Tuesdays | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Fall Season – July 15th through Early December
Fall Practices
- 3 days per week: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
- Make-up practices may be held on Wednesdays or Fridays if practices are rained out.
Sideline Cheer
Participation in sideline cheer at all home football games is mandatory for All-Year Cheer athletes.
- Games are held on Saturdays
- Season runs August through late October / early November
- Fall football schedule will be released in August
Competition Cheer
- Competition season runs October through early December
- Season end date depends on team advancement
- See COMPETITION CHEER below for more details
* Jr. Tiny Mites (ages 3–4), Tiny Mites (ages 5–7), and All-Inclusive teams will follow a reduced schedule.
PRACTICE LOCATION
All practices are held at our home fields:
Oscar Cooler Sports Complex – Lutz
DIVISIONS & TEAM PLACEMENT
Team placement is based on:
- Athlete’s age as of 7/15/2026
- Skill level
Birthdates are verified via birth certificate.
Final team placement is determined by the Cheer Director and may vary depending on registration numbers at each age and skill level.
Pop Warner Age Divisions
- Jr. Tiny Mites: ages 3–4–5
- Tiny Mites: ages 5–6–7
- Mitey-Mite: ages 7–8–9
- Jr. Pee Wee: ages 8–9–10–11
- Pee Wee: ages 9–10–11–12
- Junior Varsity: ages 10–11–12–13
- Varsity: ages 12–13–14–15–16
- Bantam: ages 14–15–16–17
- All-Inclusive: ages 5–17
📌 For registration purposes, athletes are registered based on their age as of 7/15/2026.
REGISTRATION
- Registration Opens: February 9, 2025
- Registration Closes: April 1, 2025
(Please refer to the Registration Page for fees and registration windows, as these vary by age and registration date.)
COMPETITIONS
- Competition season runs October through early December
- All teams are competitive except Jr. Tiny Mites & All-Inclusive
- Teams will compete at a local FYD/Pop Warner Cheer Jam, with opportunities to advance to:
- Regionals: Thanksgiving Weekend (Orlando, FL)
- Nationals: First week of December (Charlotte, NC)
⚠️ Availability Thanksgiving Weekend is required for competitive teams.
- Competitive teams (Tiny Mite and up) may attend 1–2 local competitions prior to Cheer Jam for preparation.
Jr. Tiny Mites & All-Inclusive
- Will perform an exhibition routine at:
- Local Cheer Jam
- Regionals (Thanksgiving Weekend in Orlando)
Please see the Registration Page for complete fee details and sign-up dates.
Last updated: 02/07/2026