Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders: What Fans and Aspiring Dancers Should Know in Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders are one of the most visible spirit squads in the city, performing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, appearing at community events, and representing Atlanta on a national stage. Whether you’re a fan, a parent of a young dancer, or someone who dreams of joining the team, it helps to understand how the cheer program works specifically in Atlanta.

Below is a practical guide to who the Falcons Cheerleaders are, what they do, and how auditions, training, and game days typically work for locals.

Who Are the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders?

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders (AFC) are the official cheer and dance team for the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. They are based in Atlanta and:

• Perform at all Falcons home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Downtown Atlanta
• Participate in community outreach, youth clinics, and charity events around the metro area
• Represent the team at appearances, corporate events, and select NFL-related functions

Most team members are working professionals or students who live in or near metro Atlanta. Many have backgrounds in:

• Competitive dance or cheer (high school, all-star, or college)
• Professional or semi-professional dance teams
• Gymnastics or performance arts

For Atlanta residents, this means the team is made up of people you might run into at local studios, gyms, offices, and universities—not full-time entertainers flown in from elsewhere.

Where the Falcons Cheerleaders Perform in Atlanta

Game Days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

On Falcons home game days, cheerleaders typically:

• Perform sideline routines throughout the game
• Take part in pre-game and halftime performances
• Interact with fans near the field, in fan zones, and at certain in-stadium events

Stadium location:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

If you want to see the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders perform live, attending a home game is the most direct way.

Community Events and Local Appearances

Throughout the year, the team may participate in:

• Youth football and cheer clinics
• Charity walks and fundraisers
• School and community celebrations
• Corporate or civic events tied to the Falcons brand

These appearances are often spread across metro Atlanta, including areas like Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and the suburbs. For locals, this offers opportunities to see the cheerleaders up close without a game ticket, depending on the event.

Requirements to Be an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader

Specific requirements can change slightly from year to year, but some common expectations for AFC candidates include:

Basic Eligibility

Most seasons, candidates typically must:

• Be at least 18 years old by a specified date
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be able to work legally in the United States
• Live in or be willing to commute regularly to Atlanta for practices, games, and events

There is usually no strict requirement for a specific college degree or current enrollment, but many team members are enrolled in or have completed college programs, including those at Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, and other local schools.

Dance and Performance Background

While formal cheer experience is not always mandatory, strong candidates generally have:

• Solid dance technique (jazz, hip-hop, pom, or contemporary)
• Ability to learn choreography quickly
• Endurance for repeated high-energy performances
• Strong performance presence and confidence in front of large crowds

For aspiring cheerleaders in Atlanta, this often means building skills at local studios and performance programs throughout the metro area before auditioning.

Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader Auditions: How They Typically Work

Auditions are usually held once a year, often in the spring leading into the upcoming NFL season, though the exact timing can shift.

General Audition Flow

While details vary, candidates can expect something along these lines:

1. Pre-registration

   • Interested candidates usually complete an application form and may pay an audition fee.
   • Basic information, photos, and sometimes a brief dance résumé may be requested.

2. Preliminary Rounds

   • Large groups of candidates learn short combinations on-site.
   • Judges evaluate technique, memory, energy, and appearance.
   • Several cuts may be made throughout the day.

3. Semi-Finals and Finals

   • Remaining contestants may learn more complex routines, perform in smaller groups, and possibly complete interviews.
   • There may be a final audition day or showcase with a panel of judges.

4. Training Camp / Final Selection

   • Candidates who advance to a training camp phase attend workouts, practices, and evaluations in Atlanta.
   • From this group, the final Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders squad is selected.

📌 Tip for locals: Because everything—from auditions to practices—is held in or near Atlanta, living nearby is a major advantage for managing the time commitment.

Time Commitment and Schedule in Atlanta

Being an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader is typically a part-time but demanding role.

Practices

• Practices are usually held multiple evenings per week in the Atlanta area.
• Locations can vary, but they are generally centralized so that metro-area members can commute.
• Practices include conditioning, choreography rehearsals, formations, and sometimes media or public speaking prep.

Game Days

For each home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, cheerleaders typically:

• Arrive hours before kickoff for rehearsals, hair and makeup, and uniform prep
• Perform pre-game, in-game, and sometimes post-game duties
• Spend most of the day at or near the stadium, often with long periods on their feet

Community and Media Events

Outside of games and practices, cheerleaders may attend:

• Charity events and school programs in Atlanta
• Photo shoots and marketing sessions
• Fan meet-and-greets tied to Falcons activities

For someone living in Atlanta, this means frequent trips to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and surrounding areas.

Do Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Get Paid?

Falcons Cheerleaders are generally considered part-time paid performers, not volunteers. However, the role is usually not a full-time salary position.

Common patterns across NFL cheer squads include:

• Game day pay
• Practice or rehearsal stipends
• Additional pay for certain appearances or special events

Most team members maintain separate full-time or part-time careers or attend college in Atlanta while cheering. Anyone considering auditions should view it as a significant side commitment, not a primary job.

How Atlanta Residents Can Prepare to Audition

If you live in or near Atlanta and want to pursue becoming a Falcons Cheerleader, preparation is key.

1. Build Dance and Cheer Skills Locally

Many successful candidates spend years training in:

• Jazz, hip-hop, and pom styles
• Turns, leaps, and strong sideline-style motion
• Performance quality and musicality

Local options often include:

• Dance studios throughout Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, and Duluth
• College or university dance teams and cheer squads
• Adult drop-in dance classes at studios in Midtown, Buckhead, and other in-town neighborhoods

2. Focus on Fitness and Endurance

The role involves high-energy routines under stadium lights and in varying weather at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Most aspirants work on:

• Cardiovascular endurance
• Core and leg strength
• Flexibility and balance

Many use Atlanta-area gyms, parks, and fitness studios to stay in performance shape.

3. Get Comfortable Performing for Large Crowds

Performing in front of more than 70,000 fans can be intense. Local experience that helps includes:

• Performing with dance companies, college teams, or theater groups
• Cheering at high school or college games
• Participating in Atlanta festivals, parades, or stage events

Game Day Experience for Fans: Watching the Cheerleaders

If you are a Falcons fan in Atlanta and want to enjoy the cheerleaders’ performances, there are several ways to do that.

At Mercedes-Benz Stadium

You’ll see the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders:

• On the sidelines throughout the game
• In pregame and sometimes halftime performances
• On video boards with pre-recorded segments and crowd prompts

Seats closer to the field in certain sections offer a more direct view, but the cheerleaders are visible from most areas via the big screens and sound system.

At Atlanta Events

Keep an eye on Falcons-related announcements and local event schedules during:

• NFL season (fall–winter) – community events, fan rallies, and charity appearances
• Off-season (spring–summer) – youth clinics, special promotions, and occasional public performances

These events give Atlanta residents more personal interaction, including photo opportunities and casual conversations.

Youth and Teen Opportunities in Atlanta

While the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders are an adult professional team, there are sometimes related opportunities for younger participants in the Atlanta area.

Common formats in the NFL cheer environment include:

• Youth cheer or dance clinics hosted by team staff or current cheerleaders
• Special game-day performances where children perform a routine on the field or sidelines as part of a program
• Skills workshops focused on dance fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence

Parents in metro Atlanta can watch for announcements tied to:

• The Atlanta Falcons official youth programs
• Seasonal events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Local community partnerships led by the team

Practical Summary for Atlanta Locals

Here is a quick reference for how the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader experience fits into local life:

For anyone in Atlanta, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders are more than just part of game day—they’re a visible piece of the city’s sports culture, community events, and performance scene. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or working toward a spot on the team, understanding how the program operates locally helps you make the most of what it offers.