The Pro Cheer League will expand to six teams and double its competition schedule for Season 2, league officials announced in Daytona. The growth follows a debut season that introduced paid competition for athletes and reached 5 million unique viewers across broadcasts.
The league will add two franchises, expanding from four teams to six. Kentucky will join the lineup with Misty Hodges serving as team manager. Houston will field the second expansion team, led by Alan Shearer. The additions increase roster availability while broadening the league’s geographic footprint.
We are currently ranked the fourth highest-rated pro sports league on all of TV, and that was just Year 1,” said Justin Carrier, vice president of Varsity All Star. “Season 2 is going to be bigger, bolder, and better. We’re expanding teams, increasing matches, and creating more opportunities for athletes to compete at the professional level.”
The Pro Cheer League will also increase its competitive calendar from five matches to 10. The season is scheduled to begin in December and run through winter, culminating in the Season 2 championship on March 19 in Houston at the Toyota Center.
The championship date aligns with the start of NCA All Star Nationals week, positioning the professional finale within one of the sport’s competitive events. League officials said the timing is intended to maximize attendance and visibility while integrating the professional format into the broader cheer calendar.
More teams means more matches, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering,” Carrier said. “We’re going from five matches to 10, with a full season that builds toward a national championship in Houston. This creates consistency for athletes and a clearer competitive structure for fans.”
Season 2 also includes outreach to collegiate programs. College athletes and coaches will be invited to engage with league leadership during summer programming to discuss how professional cheer opportunities can coexist with collegiate participation. Additional information about tryouts will be shared during upcoming athlete information sessions.
The Pro Cheer League debuted with a central premise. Athletes would be paid to compete in a structured, televised professional format. Season 2 builds on that foundation by expanding the number of teams, increasing match volume, and establishing a championship event tied to a major competition week.
Doubling the schedule introduces a longer standings cycle and more head-to-head matchups. The expanded format mirrors traditional professional league structures, with a defined season leading into a single championship event.
Houston’s selection as host site reflects both logistics and audience concentration. With athletes already traveling to the city for NCA All Star Nationals, the league will stage its finale at the largest cheerleading competition in the world. The decision also places the Pro Cheer League championship inside a week that draws coaches, athletes, and industry stakeholders from across the country.
The additions of Kentucky and Houston creates another recruiting base with established collegiate and all-star infrastructure. Full team branding, rosters, and broadcast details are expected ahead of tryouts.
It’s going to be a great Season 2,” Carrier said. “We’re growing responsibly, adding teams, and building a season that gives athletes more chances to compete and fans more reasons to follow the league.”
Season 2 marks the league’s transition from launch to expansion. With six teams, 10 matches, and a Houston championship, the Pro Cheer League continues building a professional competition model centered on paid athletes and a defined season structure.
