New Pro Cheer League propels Olympic dreams
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Pro Cheer League
Cheerleading company Varsity Spirit is aiming for a 2032 Olympics bid by launching the Pro Cheer League.
Why it matters: Cheerleaders will now have a professional platform — like basketball, soccer and flag football — to prepare for international competition, per VarsitySpirit.
Driving the news: The brand claims this will be the world's first vehicle for cheerleaders over 18 years old to train, compete and perform as pros on the national stage.
- Both men and women will be able to join.
Reality check: No governing body has confirmed a 2032 Olympic cheer event. The IOC recognized cheer in 2021, but inclusion is not guaranteed.
State of play: Varsity Spirit's president, Bill Seely, tells Axios that international competitions have grown from 12-14 countries to over 60, and the U.S. is being "pushed every year."
The league plans to launch with four teams, based in Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and San Diego — selected because of "great media coverage and high engagement in the cheerleading world," Seely says.
- Competitions will take place in Indianapolis, Houston, Atlanta, Anaheim and Nashville.
Zoom in: Each match will consist of three rounds.
- The first two will feature cheerleading skills like stunts, basket tosses and tumbling. The final round will be a creative routine set to music.
Varsity Spirit estimates that total compensation for the athletes will be $13,000-$15,000 each, plus prize money and incentives for league winners.
- This includes an hourly pay rate and a season completion bonus,
- Travel, lodging, uniforms and other expenses will be covered by the Pro Cheer League.
What's next: Tryouts will be in early September. The season begins in January 2026.
