As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to say thanks to our student-athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers, and supporters across the country. This time of year reminds me how lucky we are to be part of such a strong and dedicated Pop Warner family. The energy, passion, and commitment you bring to our programs are what keep this organization thriving, and I’m truly grateful for each of you.
Thanksgiving also means we’re getting very close to one of the most exciting traditions in youth sports: our Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance Nationals Week. This year marks our 68th Super Bowl and 38th Cheer & Dance Nationals. When you’ve been doing something this long, you know how to put on a great event. But there’s a lot that’s new and exciting about the 2025 edition of this incredible week.
For the first time since 1994, we’re taking the Pop Warner National Championships out of Orlando. We’re bringing the event to Charlotte, North Carolina, a city with a true love for sports, an incredible sense of hospitality, and plenty to explore. From the Carolina Panthers to Visit Charlotte, we have heard from a lot of friends that they are excited to be hosting us.
Our football teams will take the field at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex from December 6-13. It’s a fantastic venue, with nine synthetic turf multipurpose fields, two natural grass fields, and a 4,300-seat stadium with lights and a videoboard. It’s built for great football, and I know our athletes are going to have an amazing experience there.
The Cheer & Dance National Championships will take over the beautiful Charlotte Convention Center, a massive 600,000-square-foot facility right in the heart of downtown, from December 7-11. Families will be just steps away from hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun things to do, which makes the whole week even more special.
We’re also adding a couple brand new events this year: the Queen City Crown Open and the Crown Classic Flag Football Tournament powered by Pop Warner in partnership with NFL Flag. Both new events are open to both Pop Warner and non-Pop Warner teams, and there’s still time to register.
We know the teams and families making their way to nationals this year will love the Charlotte experience. It has everything we could hope for in a host city, and I can’t wait to welcome all of you there. It’s going to be a memorable week filled with competition, teamwork, sportsmanship, and plenty of moments our athletes will carry with them for years to come.
Wishing you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving, and an incredible championship week ahead.
Best,
Steve Strawbridge
President & CEO
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.