After ‘the best weekend,’ Kansas City Chiefs Cheer introduces new squad for 2025
Lots going on in Chiefs Kingdom in these days before Mother’s Day. Rookies reported to mini-camp, many of them with that “I can’t believe I’m here” look in their eyes.
And earlier this week, the other team that performs on game days at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium took shape.
After a weekend of tryouts, the 2025 Chiefs Cheer squad was announced, a mix of veterans and rookies just like the football team.
As she always does, Tavia Hunt, wife of Chiefs owner and CEO Clark Hunt, served as unofficial godmother for the group.
“The best weekend with the most talented group. To our 62 finalists: Thank you for pouring your hearts and souls into this process and this weekend,” she said on the Chiefs Cheer Instagram account.
“Your hard work, dedication, and passion does not go unnoticed! We are so proud of each of you, and you should be just as proud of yourselves!”
The Chiefs’ recent back-to-back-to-back Super Bowl appearances have boosted interest in their cheer squad. Hunt called last year’s auditions the most competitive in Chiefs Cheer history.
The year before, one participant’s solo routine during auditions racked up nearly a million views as fans watched the tryouts unfold through Instagram posts (as they did this year, too).
It doesn’t hurt, either, that cheerleaders get their own Super Bowl bling and ring party when the team wins.
A handful of cheerleaders even scored cameo appearances in last year’s popular Hallmark rom-com about the Chiefs, “Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story.” Some of them attended the VIP screening.
(Alas, Hallmark is making its next holiday football film about the Bills. Why? Why?)
Chiefs Cheer candidates must be 18 to audition. Typically many hopefuls either cheered or were on dance teams in college. For security reasons, the Chiefs release only first names of their cheerleaders, a rule that excited family members sometimes break when they post news about loved ones making the squad.
Finalists invited to Kansas City not only have to perform but are tested on their knowledge of football, public-speaking talent and fitness — push-ups, sit-ups, plank poses. They perform with the group and in solo routines, a couple of which earned special praise this year.
The squad showed some of the new members reacting to the news that they’d won the gig.
And the group bid farewell to nine veterans.
Fans will likely get their first chance to meet the new squad at Chiefs training camp this summer.
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 2:37 PM.
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