Becoming an NFL cheerleader is highly competitive, requiring advanced performance skills and athletic dedication to a professional sports organization. The path begins with meeting non-negotiable eligibility standards that extend beyond dance ability. Applicants must navigate a rigorous selection process and commit to specific personal and professional standards. Understanding these requirements, from the initial age minimum to the necessary training, is the first step toward this career.
Minimum Age Requirements for NFL Cheerleaders
The minimum age to audition for an NFL cheerleading squad is set by individual team franchises, not the league. Most teams require applicants to be 18 years old by a specific cutoff date, usually the preliminary audition or the first mandatory practice. This 18-year-old requirement is the most common standard, reflecting the legal age of majority and the professional nature of the job.
A significant number of teams have a higher minimum age requirement, often 20 or 21 years old. Applicants must carefully check the specific audition requirements, as this factor determines eligibility. Since the application process occurs in the winter or spring, a candidate who is 17 must ensure they turn 18 before the team’s designated cutoff date.
Essential Eligibility Criteria Beyond Age
Beyond age, candidates must satisfy administrative and physical prerequisites to be considered for an audition. These mandatory standards ensure applicants meet the legal and professional expectations of representing a major sports franchise. These factors are assessed early in the application process, separate from performance-based scoring.
Educational Requirements
Nearly all NFL cheerleading teams require candidates to have earned a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Although the role is performance-based and does not require a college degree, this baseline education is a standard professional expectation. Some teams accept full-time college enrollment as meeting a similar standard of commitment.
Legal and Residency Status
A fundamental requirement for all applicants is the legal right to work in the United States, as the position is a form of paid employment. Many teams also require candidates to reside within a specific radius of the team’s home city or practice facility. This local residency requirement ensures the candidate can reliably attend frequent, mandatory practices and appearances.
Physical and Health Standards
Most teams do not enforce specific minimum or maximum height and weight requirements, but they require candidates to maintain a highly physically fit and athletic appearance. The role demands significant stamina and physical endurance to perform complex routines for extended periods. Finalists are typically required to pass a drug test and sometimes a health physical to confirm they are in appropriate condition for the job.
Background Checks and Character Standards
Due to the public-facing nature of the position and frequent interaction with the community, fans, and sponsors, all candidates must successfully pass a rigorous background check. A clean criminal record is standard, as cheerleaders must uphold a professional image and act as team ambassadors. This verification assesses character and professionalism, which are considered as important as performance skills.
The Audition and Selection Process
The selection process is a multi-stage, competitive undertaking spanning several weeks or months, typically beginning in the winter or early spring. It starts with an online application requiring detailed personal information, a professional headshot, and sometimes a preliminary video submission of dance abilities. This initial submission filters the large applicant pool before in-person events.
The next phase involves in-person preliminary and semi-final rounds. Hundreds of dancers learn choreography on the spot and perform it in small groups for judges. The ability to quickly retain and execute new material is assessed, with cuts made after each performance. Successful candidates then proceed to a mandatory interview round, often conducted in a professional, business-attire setting.
The final stage involves an extensive interview and a final performance showcase, often called Finals. The interview assesses the candidate’s public speaking ability, knowledge of the team and the NFL, and overall professionalism, treating them as a potential employee and public representative. Only a small fraction of original applicants are selected for the final squad and receive a contract offer.
Necessary Skills and Training for Success
Success requires specialized training that treats the cheerleader as a professional athlete and performer. Candidates must possess advanced technique in various dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop, and pom, executing sharp movements with high energy. Regularly drilling foundational skills like double pirouettes, high kicks, and leaps ensures movements are polished and powerful under pressure.
Physical conditioning is equally important, demanding athlete-level stamina and strength to perform high-energy routines repeatedly throughout game day. Consistent strength training, flexibility work (like Pilates or yoga), and dedicated cardiovascular exercise should be part of a year-round preparation plan. Many successful candidates begin an intensive fitness regimen months before the audition to build endurance and achieve a well-conditioned physique.
Candidates must cultivate a professional appearance and strong public speaking abilities, tested during the interview rounds. Preparation includes discussing personal goals, community involvement, and detailed knowledge of the team’s history and current league events. The ability to project confidence and maintain a polished demeanor is judged alongside dance technique, as cheerleaders are expected to be articulate and engaging ambassadors.
Commitment, Compensation, and the Reality of the Job
The role demands a significant time commitment, often rivaling a full-time job during the football season. Squad members typically attend multiple practices per week, totaling 30 to 40 hours, often in the evenings. On game days, cheerleaders arrive at the stadium up to five hours before kickoff for rehearsals, preparation, and pre-game appearances.
Despite this extensive commitment, compensation reflects that the role is generally considered a part-time job, not a full-time salary position. Cheerleaders are frequently classified as independent contractors, paid hourly for practices and a flat fee per game or appearance. Pay rates vary widely, but an average cheerleader may earn approximately $150 per game plus a modest hourly rate for practices. This often results in an annual income requiring the individual to maintain a separate full-time job or be a full-time student.
The non-financial benefits are a significant part of the job’s appeal, including community involvement, national exposure, and travel opportunities, such as performing at international games or on military tours. The professionalism, physical fitness, and competitive drive gained serve as a valuable foundation for other professional careers.