More than just athletes!
The only youth sports organization that requires scholastic aptitude to participate.
No Tryouts!
Pop Warner programs have no tryouts or cutting of rosters!
Age Structure
Kids compete with kids of the same age. We set and enforce a strict AGE MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries.
Mandatory Play Requirements
Everyone participates under mandatory rules of play, so every child is guaranteed to play.
Concussion Prevention & Awareness
In addition to its more stringent return-to-play concussion rules, Pop Warner took the lead in youth sports by creating a Medical Advisory Board. The Board was created to ensure Pop Warner remains proactive on all medical issues that affect youth sports, particularly football and cheerleading, with a primary focus on prevention and proper identification and treatment of concussions, hydration awareness, proper nutrition guidelines, and general health and safety issues.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
Kids compete with kids of similar age. Pop Warner is the ONLY youth football program (local, regional and national) that sets and enforces a strict AGE MATRIX that reduces the risk and reality of injuries. Did you know that Pop Warner football is safer than soccer? Pop Warner football has 12% fewer injuries per capita among 5-14 year olds than organized soccer in the same age range!
Little Scholars Program
Pop Warner is the only national youth sports organization in America that rewards its members for their outstanding performance in the classroom.
Stability
Pop Warner is the oldest national youth football and cheerleading organization in the world. Founded in 1929 by Joe Tomlin, we now have over 120 leagues and over 325,000 members.
It's Inexpensive
Signing up for Pop Warner Football, Cheerleading or Dance is inexpensive. The registration fee is $225 for the season.
Pop Warner National Championships
Each year, Pop Warner hosts the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships. For the past 11 years, the event has taken place at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex™ at Disney World. More than 300 cheer and dance squads and 64 football teams compete for the right to be crowned Pop Warner National Champion.
National Scholar Banquet
Pop Warner hosts an awards program each year to celebrate the accomplishments of our participants. Nationally, we select First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention All-American Scholars.
College Scholarships
Each year, we award scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students in our highest grade levels. Pop Warner is proud to have awarded nearly one million dollars in scholarships in just 17 years!
Programs in 42 States & 7 Countries
Pop Warner has active programs in 42 states and 7 different countries.
Volunteers & Coaches
Pop Warner has over 40,000 volunteers and coaches that are being trained every year to offer the best and safest programs for you and your children.
It All Starts Here
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) estimates that between 60% and 70% of all NFL players began their careers playing Pop Warner Football.
Background Checks
Pop Warner programs nationwide are required to annually conduct a background check of Coaches, Board of Directors members and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers, who provide regular service to the league and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with, players and/or spirit participants. The purpose of these background checks is, first and foremost, to protect the children.
Coaching Education Programs
The safety of our athletes is always the top priority and that is why we provide extensive training for all our football and cheer & dance coaches.
National Rule Book
Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National rule books for their organizations.
Administrative Manual
Each Pop Warner Region, League and Association receive free National Administrative Manuals, designed to keep each League and Association current on all administrative matters, as well as to facilitate the daily operational management of those local organizations.
Coaches and Adult Codes of Conduct
All coaches, football and spirit participants must abide by a Code of Conduct which includes several provisions. If any of these rules are broken, the League shall have the authority to impose a penalty.
Free Online Roster Program
Pop Warner offers a free online roster program to all of our members to roster their participants easily and effectively.
National Grants Program
For several years, Pop Warner and its national partners & sponsors have awarded thousands of dollars in national grants for teams and programs including start-up grants, national championship travel grants, equipment grants and more!
We surround ourselves with the best
Pop Warner is proud to have numerous outstanding sponsors, licensees, fundraiser's and partners who offer several amazing opportunities to our programs.
Free Help and Discounts
Pop Warner sponsors and partners such as Spalding and Bike Athletic offer free equipment and uniform merchandise as part of a grant program for new organizations as well as those in financial need. Pop Warner partners also offer Pop Warner only discounts and rebates on merchandise such as footballs, cheer and dance apparel, fundraising items.
Competitive and Affordable Insurance
Pop Warner offers low-cost, broad insurance coverage as a benefit to its members. The Plan is specifically written to meet the needs of Pop Warner Little Scholars. The Pop Warner Insurance Committee, in conjunction with its Broker, periodically reviews the cyclical insurance marketplace to obtain the broadest possible coverage at the most competitive price.