BY C STONE | THE SUPER HOT /||^ CHEERLEADERS ^||\
Introducing the recently announced 2026 Cheerleader squad of the Kansas City Chiefs. So let's take a quick look through the squad, as I've taken the liberty of borrowing some photos. And they are very interesting photos, indeed.
The Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders are an elite, co-ed-founded dance and performance squad with a history dating back to 1963.
Today, the organization features diverse professional women who balance rigorous gameday routines with careers as engineers, registered nurses, and lawyers.
Fun and historical facts about the squad:Pioneering the AFL: The Kansas City Chiefs' squad was the very first cheerleading team in the entire American Football League.
Humble Beginnings: Early tryout practices were held in the front yard of a coach's parents' home, and moms hand-sewed the first uniforms.
Originally Co-ed: The team was completely co-ed until the 1990s, with a male cheer and dance squad, and briefly featured men again before shifting to its current all-female roster.
Secretarial Sidelines: In 1967, one of the cheerleaders, Margaret Sprague, worked as a private secretary to the Chiefs' general manager, Jack Steadman.
Two Distinct Roles: The squad is broken into two groups: Field Cheerleaders, who perform routines on the sidelines, and Ambassador Cheerleaders, who focus on fan interaction, taking photos, and signing autographs.
First Names Only: For security and privacy reasons, the Chiefs publicly release only the first names of their cheerleaders.
Rigorous Auditions: Veterans do not automatically keep their spots; they must re-audition every year.
Candidates are tested not just on dance and choreography, but also on public speaking, football trivia, and physical fitness (e.g., pushups, planks, and sit-ups)
Early Years and Co-Ed Squad (1963–1970s)Origins: Formed in 1963, the organization's cheer program initially consisted of high school and college students, featuring both men and women (largely sourced from local schools like Rockhurst High School).
Super Bowl I: The squad, complete with male and female cheerleaders, represented the team on the sidelines during the very first Super Bowl in 1967.
The Chiefettes: In the 1960s and 1970s, the cheerleaders and a separate elite precision drill team called the "Chiefettes" existed simultaneously to fire up the crowd and entertain fans.Uniform Styling and the Transition to Dance (1970s–1980s) Arrowettes: In 1972, coinciding with the opening of Arrowhead Stadium, the organization introduced the "Arrowettes." Rather than traditional cheerleading, they acted as official hostesses and ushers.
1978 Uniform Update: Chiefs officials intentionally steered clear of the "cheesecake" uniform styles popularized by other NFL teams at the time, opting instead to design outfits described as "classy but showy".
Rebranding: By the mid-to-late 1980s, the squad phased out the collegiate-style yells and transitioned into a fully co-ed dance and performance team, officially dropping "Chiefettes" in favor of the "Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders" name.
Modern Era and Expansion (1990s–Present)All-Female Ensemble: The squad shifted to an all-female dance ensemble in 1997, though men briefly rejoined the squad for tumbling and stunting routines in the 2020s.
Gameday and Philanthropy: Today's squad consists of talented dancers who arrive hours before kickoff for rehearsals, perform highly choreographed routines on the field, and serve as brand ambassadors across Missouri, Kansas, and the globe.
Super Bowl Legacy: As the Chiefs established a dynasty, the cheerleaders became a prominent fixture at modern championship games, and they notably receive official Super Bowl rings alongside the players and staff following championship victories.
Founded in 1960 as the Dallas Texans in the American Football League (AFL), the franchise relocated to Kansas City in 1963 and became the Chiefs. Under owner Lamar Hunt, they won three AFL titles and Super Bowl IV before the AFL-NFL merger. Following a decades-long drought, a modern dynasty emerged under head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, capturing multiple recent Super Bowl championships.
The AFL Years (1960–1969)Lamar Hunt founded the Texans as a charter member of the AFL, a rival league to the NFL. Coached by Hank Stram, the team quickly found success, winning the AFL Championship in 1962. In 1963, facing heavy competition for fans in Dallas, Hunt moved the franchise to Kansas City. Renamed the "Chiefs" in honor of Mayor H. Roe "Chief" Bartle—who helped orchestrate the relocation—the team adopted their iconic red and gold colors and Arrowhead logo. The Chiefs were the most dominant team in the AFL, winning league titles in 1966 and 1969, and defeating the heavily favored Minnesota Vikings \(23-7\) in Super Bowl IV
Post-Merger and the Arrowhead Era (1970–2012)After the AFL-NFL merger, the Chiefs transitioned into the NFL's AFC West.
The 1970s and 80s were marked by only a few playoff appearances and the opening of the famed Arrowhead Stadium in 1972. Hunt eventually built a perennial playoff contender in the 1990s and early 2000s, anchored by legendary figures like Hall of Fame head coach Marty Schottenheimer, star pass-rusher Derrick Thomas, running back Marcus Allen, and tight end Tony Gonzalez.
However, the team struggled to find consistent postseason success, failing to reach another Super Bowl.
The Reid and Mahomes Dynasty (2013–Present)The franchise's trajectory completely changed with the hiring of head coach Andy Reid in 2013.
The defining turning point occurred in 2017 when the team drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Fusing a creative offensive scheme with Mahomes's elite playmaking, the Chiefs transformed into a modern NFL dynasty, returning to the championship stage and establishing themselves as the dominant force in the league
The Super Hot would like to congratulate the 2026 Cheer Leader Squad and wish them the best season, ever!
💖
