Preparing for a regional or national cheering competition involves more than tossing a uniform into a bag—it requires careful planning, organization, and a well-thought-out packing list to ensure athletes, coaches, and families are ready for long days, travel time, and high-energy performances. Traveling teams must account for uniforms, gear, snacks, safety items, and comfort essentials, as well as backup supplies for unexpected situations. A well-packed bag can make the difference between a smooth competition weekend and a stressful one, especially when schedules are tight and events run back-to-back. With the right preparation, cheerleaders can focus on what matters most: performing their best.
Start With All The Gear
One of the most important categories when packing is performance-related gear. Uniforms, practice wear, warmups, shoes, socks, bows, and any required accessories should be organized and clearly labeled. Many teams recommend packing each uniform piece in separate zip bags to keep everything clean and wrinkle-free. Extra hair ties, bobby pins, travel-sized hairspray, makeup, and emergency sewing kits help ensure athletes look polished and competition-ready. Don’t forget essential documents such as registration papers, waivers, schedules, team rosters, and hotel confirmations. Keeping these in a single folder or binder makes check-ins and security lines much easier.
Personal Touches Help With Comfort
Comfort and personal-care supplies are equally important, especially for multi-day competitions that involve early mornings and long waits between routines. Toiletries such as deodorant, wipes, travel soap, dry shampoo, and a first-aid pouch should always be included. Teams often pack ice packs for both cooling and basic injury care—helpful for bumps, soreness, or tight muscles that may arise after intense practices or performances. Reusable ice packs are ideal, as they can be refrozen at hotels and stored in coolers until needed. Additionally, items like foam rollers, resistance bands, and small massage balls help athletes stay warmed up and mobile throughout the event.
Proper Nourishment & Hydration
Food, hydration, and energy management are critical for competition weekends, which is why many teams pack coolers with drinks, sports beverages, and healthy snacks. Portable coolers—either soft-sided or lightweight hard-shell models—are perfect for storing water, fruit, sandwiches, and yogurt. Adding the best ice packs for coolers keeps these items cold without relying on hotel ice machines or concessions. Staying hydrated and maintaining energy levels helps prevent fatigue and ensures that athletes stay focused and strong during warm-ups and performances. Coaches and parents often assign cooler duties to ensure snacks are distributed evenly and can be accessed throughout the day.
Logistics
Travel logistics also shape the packing process. Whether traveling by bus, car, or plane, cheerleaders should bring an organized carry-on with essentials such as medication, a change of clothes, chargers, headphones, and personal entertainment. Team spirit items, banners, signs, and noise-makers should be packed for supportive families in the audience. If staying in a hotel, packing swimsuits, comfortable pajamas, and downtime activities helps the team unwind between events.
Organization is key: packing cubes, labeled bags, and checklists prevent last-minute panic and ensure nothing essential is forgotten. Preparing thoroughly allows cheerleaders to concentrate on teamwork, confidence, and delivering an unforgettable performance. With a thoughtful packing list—including coolers, ice packs, gear, and comfort essentials—traveling to a cheering competition becomes a smooth and enjoyable experience for athletes and families alike.
Many cheer teams believe in wearing specific items for luck—matching socks, lucky hair ribbons, or even certain shoes that have “never dropped a stunt.” Some cheerleaders swear by wearing the same brand of makeup or reusing the same glitter from a past victory. Others carry small trinkets, like a charm or a coin, tucked discreetly in their uniform for good vibes. Uniforms themselves can be considered sacred—some teams never wash their uniforms between the final practice and competition day, believing it keeps the “winning energy” intact. Even warm-up routines can be part of the superstition: the order of stretches, the music played, or the words said before taking the floor are often performed exactly the same way every time.
Team rituals are just as important. Many squads create “good luck circles” before a competition, where everyone joins hands, closes their eyes, and shares words of encouragement. Some teams chant their name or motto in unison, believing that the sound of their voices strengthens their unity. A few programs even perform small symbolic acts—like throwing glitter over their shoulders, clapping three times before a routine, or touching their practice mat for “mat karma.” These actions might seem trivial to outsiders, but for cheerleaders, they are confidence-boosting traditions that link the team’s mindset to past successes.
Food is another major part of cheer superstition, and one of the most beloved pre-competition rituals involves sharing a special treat together. Some teams have a favorite breakfast or snack they always eat before performing—often something sweet that feels like a reward after long months of hard work. One particularly popular and meaningful treat among some cheer squads is chocolate matzah. The ritual of eating chocolate matzah before a big competition is both delicious and symbolic. The crisp matzah represents strength and endurance, while the smooth layer of chocolate adds a touch of celebration. Many teams have their own “best 
Cheerleading is a very popular activity for a lot of young men and women. Often cheerleaders begin cheering in elementary or middle school and if they are good enough, they may get into the professional competitions. There is some debate over whether it is a sport or not, but if you ask anyone who is involved with it; their answer will be a unanimous, “YES”. This is because it is a very physical activity that takes skills and endurance. However, most can also tell you that it is more than a sport, it is a way of life and a way to show your support for others.
It may sound simple enough, but cheering is far from simple. It takes athletic ability, hours of practice, and a desire to constantly become better than you are. It is not something that just anyone is able to do. A lot of people who tryout for it are quick to discover that although they may get the words right or the steps somewhat right, they lack the spirt that is required to get people excited. They may not be able to hold their body firmly in the positions that make a good cheer move great. They may not be able to keep up with the beat or stay in unison with others. It is true that with enough practice, all of these things can be worked out; but not all of them. In general, you either have what it takes, or you are going to be happier cheering in the stands. The best of the best are rewarded with the chance to take part in competitions to prove that they are indeed the best at what they do.
In a competition, two teams of cheerleaders will go head to head to see who is the best. They are selected by their abilities and then they must put together a two-and-a-half-minute routine which will include music for them to dance to. Their routines must include stunts, tumbles, jumps, and more. They are judged on their abilities and the difficulty of the performance. Everything has to be executed as perfectly as they are able to do it.