👋 WELCOME
Hi everyone – and welcome back to the PCL Fan Zone newsletter, your independent guide to understanding the Pro Cheer League.
We break down what’s happening across the league, why it matters, and what you should know.
Let’s dive in 👇
LEAGUE NEWS
First Look at the League’s New Game-Based Format
Varsity Spirit has released a new video explaining how the Pro Cheer League moves beyond the traditional 2.5-minute routine by introducing multiple cheer-based games within each match – creating both a sport and a show.
The league will feature competitions like:
Highest basket toss
Most mats tumbled over
Accuracy-based tumbling (where athletes must land inside a target)
The video also highlights its head-to-head structure, where:
Matches include coin tosses
Coaches choose which games are played
Strategy becomes an important factor
Teams can select games that highlight their strengths
Instead of only creating one routine and maximising a score sheet, the PCL introduces strategic decisions about which challenges each team takes on.
🏆 SEASON TRACKER
Days until first match: 28
Less than 30 days until the first Pro Cheer League match! The first match takes place on January 16 in Indianapolis (Indiana) and will have a racing theme 🏁
VIP+ ticketholders will be able to watch the MAJORS (more about The Majors) livestream from the Pro Cheer League hall.
All tickets for the first match are available here.
Do you have a favorite team already? Are you going to see a match? Reply to this email and tell us.
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Meet Ashlie – The backspot of Grit’s only all-girl group
“It clicked for me right then: this is the pro level.”
Ashlie is a backspot for Golden State Grit’s only all-girl stunt group, known for her strength, consistency, and bringing big energy to the mat.
She shared more about being the only all-girl backspot in the room, the skills she’s most excited to hit this season, and what it means to make history in the first-ever Pro Cheer League season.
📚 FAN GUIDE
New to the league? Or want to understand a specific part of the sport better?
This week’s featured guide:
Image: Snapped by Becca Clark
The Cheerleading Level 1-7 System Explained – Skill Types & Differences
Allstar Cheerleading is divided into 7 different levels, where each level allows different skills to be performed.
In this guide, we cover levels 1-7 and explain how they are different from each other. You will also find video examples of skills and routines on each level so that you can easily see the differences between them.
📣 AROUND THE LEAGUE
Inside the Pro Cheer League: Interview with Commissioner John Newby. Listen here.
Dallas Drive Athletes Have Received Their Practice Wear 🏎️ See here.
Pro Cheer League Insights with Maddie Gardner – The World’s First “Cheerlebrity”. Listen here.
Inside the Pro Cheer League: Coaches’ Roundtable Discussion. Watch/listen here.
🎥 WANT MORE CHEER?
Stream all the major events, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive videos all season on VarsityTV.
💌 THANKS FOR READING
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