For the first time in three decades, the Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance Nationals will relocate from Orlando to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2025 and 2026. Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s leading youth football and cheerleading organization, announced the move on Tuesday.
The Pop Warner Super Bowl is set to take place December 6-13, 2025, at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews, a top-tier venue featuring nine synthetic turf fields, two natural grass fields, and a 4,300-seat stadium. The Cheer & Dance Nationals will follow on December 8-11, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center, a 600,000-square-foot downtown venue within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment.
In addition to the new location, Pop Warner will debut an inaugural Flag Football tournament as part of Super Bowl week, bringing together elite teams from across the country.
The Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships began in 1988, with Orlando serving as its home since 1995. The relocation to Charlotte signals a major shift for the organization and youth athletes nationwide.
“Charlotte is an incredible city with a rich sports culture, top-notch hospitality, and endless entertainment options, making it the perfect host for the Pop Warner National Championships,” said Steve Strawbridge, Pop Warner President & CEO. “We’re thrilled to bring one of youth sports’ most prestigious events to such a vibrant community and provide our young student-athletes and their families with an unforgettable championship experience.”
The Carolina Panthers, long-time supporters of Pop Warner, expressed their enthusiasm for the event’s move. Riley Fields, Director of Community Relations, emphasized the team’s commitment to youth football development, calling the Pop Warner Super Bowl “a national stage for the best in youth football.“
For competitive cheerleaders and dancers, the Charlotte Convention Center will be the site of high-energy performances, elite stunting, and championship-level routines. With thousands of athletes competing for national titles, this move presents an opportunity for fresh energy, expanded media coverage, and a new level of excitement for the sport.
“This will be an unforgettable experience for these talented young athletes, their families, and fans,” said Scott McLaughlin, Director of Sports Development at Visit Charlotte.
The event’s official championship partner, FCS, will continue to manage and organize the competition in its new home.
More details, including the format for the new Flag Football tournament, will be announced later this year. The 2026 event dates will be revealed in 2025.
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Each year, the Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance Nationals bring together 10,000 student-athletes and their families. With Charlotte’s sports-driven culture, elite venues, and entertainment options, the Queen City is set to deliver a championship experience like never before.
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