The heart of Detroit is ready to beat a little louder this spring, not because of a thrilling touchdown or a last-second field goal, but for a celebration of spirit, strength, and showmanship. In a first-of-its-kind event designed to uplift community morale and spotlight the often unsung ambassadors of the NFL, the Detroit Lions will host the 2025 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders Showcase at Ford Field this May.
Set against the backdrop of one of the NFL’s most storied and passionate fanbases, the event will bring together the current Detroit Lions Cheerleaders (DLC) squad, alumni, aspiring cheerleaders, and the city’s proud community. It’s more than just a performance—it’s a fusion of entertainment, empowerment, and unity in Motown.
The Spirit Behind the Spotlight
Cheerleaders are far more than sideline performers. They are athletic artists, brand ambassadors, and community leaders rolled into one. For the Detroit Lions, the DLC squad represents the grace and grit of a city that has always fought back against the odds.
The 2025 Detroit Lions Cheerleaders Showcase, taking place the weekend of May 17–18, aims to recognize the pivotal role the squad plays in shaping the team’s identity both on and off the field. From high-energy routines during Sunday games to countless hours volunteering in schools, hospitals, and charity events, the DLC represents everything positive about the Lions franchise.
“We’re thrilled to shine a light on our incredible cheerleaders,” said Rod Wood, President and CEO of the Detroit Lions. “This showcase is about honoring their hard work, giving fans a deeper connection to their stories, and inviting the community to be part of a celebration that transcends football.”
Ford Field: A Stage for Celebration
Ford Field, known for its electric game-day atmosphere, will be transformed into a dynamic stage for the showcase. With state-of-the-art lighting, special effects, and multimedia integrations, the event promises to blend professional choreography with immersive storytelling.
The Lions’ media team has teased that this year’s showcase will include:
- Full Squad Performances: The entire 2025 DLC squad will perform several never-before-seen routines.
- Alumni Segment: Former DLC members from as far back as the original squad in 1963 will be honored and invited to take the field.
- Junior Cheer Program: Local youth will join the squad for a performance highlighting the DLC’s mentorship initiatives.
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Video tributes, interviews, and training footage will provide fans an inside look at what it takes to be a professional NFL cheerleader.
The event will also double as a fundraiser for local Detroit youth arts programs, further cementing the Lions’ commitment to community engagement.
A Look Back: The Evolution of the Lions Cheerleaders
While the current incarnation of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders was reintroduced in 2016 after a 33-year hiatus, the team’s history dates back to the early 1960s. Originally established in 1963, the squad cheered throughout the 1970s before being disbanded in 1983. For decades, the Lions remained one of the few NFL teams without an official cheerleading team.
But after significant fan demand and a cultural shift in how cheerleaders were perceived—as athletes and entertainers—the Lions reinstated the squad in 2016, led by renowned director Rebecca Girard-Smoker, who continues to oversee the program today.
Under Girard-Smoker’s leadership, the DLC has flourished. They’ve become known for their professionalism, inclusive tryouts, and strong focus on personal development. Several members have gone on to careers in broadcasting, education, physical therapy, and professional dance.
“The squad isn’t just about dancing,” Girard-Smoker said in a press release. “It’s about leadership, resilience, and representing Detroit with pride. This showcase is a testament to that mission.”
Showcasing Empowerment and Diversity
One of the standout features of the DLC is its dedication to diversity and empowerment. The 2025 squad is made up of women from a range of cultural backgrounds, professional industries, and educational pursuits. Some are full-time teachers, others are medical students, engineers, or entrepreneurs.
The upcoming showcase will include a special segment titled “More Than Pom-Poms,” which will feature personal stories from select team members. These mini-documentaries will play on the stadium’s jumbotron, offering fans insight into the challenges and triumphs that define these women beyond their uniforms.
For many fans, this peek behind the curtain will be a refreshing and powerful reminder of the strength in diversity—and the drive that propels each cheerleader to the sidelines each Sunday.
Fan Engagement at the Core
The 2025 DLC Showcase is not just a spectator event—it’s an experience. Fans attending the event can expect:
- Meet-and-Greet Sessions: Current squad members will be available for photo ops, autographs, and conversation.
- Fan Participation Zone: Try your moves alongside cheerleaders in a dance-along led by DLC captains.
- Merchandise Launch: A limited edition DLC Showcase merchandise collection will be unveiled, featuring apparel, pom-poms, and accessories.
- VIP Experiences: A select number of VIP ticket packages will include sideline access, a locker room tour, and a catered post-show reception.
Additionally, a virtual attendance option will be available for out-of-town fans, complete with live streaming, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive digital content.
Alumni to Be Honored
One of the emotional highlights of the weekend will be the Alumni Tribute, which will honor decades of past DLC members. Dozens of former cheerleaders—some now in their 60s and 70s—are expected to return to Ford Field to reunite, reminisce, and even take the stage for a symbolic “final dance.”
Among them is Marcia Turner, a member of the original 1963 squad, who shared her excitement for the event.
“To be recognized after so many years is a dream,” she said. “We may not have danced with smartphones or social media, but we had the same fire and love for this team. To know our legacy lives on means the world.”
Junior Cheer Program Highlight
One of the proudest achievements of the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders is the Junior Cheer Program, which offers children between the ages of 6 and 16 the chance to train with professional dancers, build self-confidence, and perform on the same turf as NFL players.
At the showcase, over 150 junior cheerleaders from metro Detroit and neighboring counties will perform in a choreographed routine led by current DLC captains. The moment is expected to be among the most heartwarming of the weekend.
“The Junior Cheer Program changed my daughter’s life,” said Angela Wilson, whose 10-year-old daughter Amelia will be performing. “She used to be shy and unsure of herself. Now, she walks with confidence and dreams big. That’s what the DLC has done for her.”
A Weekend of Celebration
The showcase weekend will also include the “Cheer Detroit Gala” on the evening of May 17 at the MotorCity Casino Hotel. This black-tie event will celebrate the achievements of the cheer squad, honor alumni, and raise funds for women’s sports and education programs in Detroit.
The gala will feature live music, silent auctions, and a keynote speech from Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, who has long been an advocate for the full team experience—including the cheerleaders.
“Culture is everything,” Campbell said. “And our cheerleaders are a vital part of that. They inspire our fans, support our players, and bring unmatched energy. They deserve to be celebrated.”
Looking Ahead: A Tradition in the Making?
If the buzz surrounding the 2025 showcase is any indication, this may not be a one-off event. The Lions organization has hinted at making the DLC Showcase an annual tradition, much like the team’s fan fest or training camp meet-and-greet sessions.
The potential for expansion—adding competitions, inviting cheer squads from other NFL teams, or even integrating high school and college teams—could make it one of the most anticipated offseason events in the league.
And for Detroit, a city defined by its music, art, and culture, the showcase feels like a natural extension of its proud identity.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Show
In the roar of the crowd, the clash of helmets, and the glory of touchdowns, it can be easy to overlook the ones who keep the energy flowing in the stands, who bridge the gap between the team and the fans, who give their all with every choreographed move.
But in May, under the bright lights of Ford Field, the Detroit Lions Cheerleaders will step into the spotlight—not as background performers, but as center-stage stars.
And as the city of Detroit watches them twirl, jump, and inspire, it will be reminded once again that pride, power, and passion don’t just live in touchdowns—but in every heartbeat, every chant, and every step taken in unison by the women who dance for the D.