IPL Cheerleaders: Everything You Need to Know About the Dance Squads

The cheerleaders have been part of the Indian Premier League’s spectacle since the very first ball was bowled in 2008. Love them or debate them, the dance squads performing on podiums beyond the boundary rope are woven into the IPL‘s identity as cricket’s most glamorous entertainment product. Through the 2026 season, cheerleading remains a fixture of the match-day experience, evolving in style and presentation while staying true to its original purpose: keeping the energy high during the long T20 evenings.

The Origins of Cheerleading in the IPL

When the IPL launched, its founders made no secret of borrowing from American sports entertainment. Cheerleaders, drawn largely from professional dance troupes in the United States, South Africa and later India itself, were installed at every venue to perform between overs, during strategic time-outs and after boundaries and wickets. The idea was simple: a T20 match lasts over three hours, and the league wanted every minute to feel like a show.

The early seasons featured predominantly foreign cheer squads, which sparked cultural debate in India. Over time, franchises shifted towards a mix of Indian and international performers, and the presentation became more choreographed and professional. What began as a novelty is now a polished production element, with squads rehearsing routines tailored to each franchise’s anthems and colours.

What Cheerleaders Actually Do on Match Day

A cheerleader’s match day is more demanding than it looks from the stands. Squads typically arrive at the stadium hours before the first ball for rehearsals, costume checks and briefings on the evening’s schedule. During the match, they perform short high-energy routines during the strategic time-outs, between innings, and in the natural breaks between overs.

Their role extends beyond dancing. Cheerleaders lead crowd chants, wave franchise flags, and keep the atmosphere buzzing during rain delays or long DRS checks when the energy in the stands might otherwise dip. Many squads also participate in promotional events, fan parks and sponsor activations on non-match days, making them ambassadors for their franchises throughout the season.

How the Squads Are Organized

Each franchise manages its own cheerleading squad, usually through a contract with a professional dance and entertainment agency. Squad sizes typically range from eight to sixteen performers per team. Selection involves auditions testing dance ability, fitness, stage presence and the ability to perform in front of tens of thousands of people.

Training is rigorous. Performers rehearse complex synchronized routines, build the stamina to dance through a full match in all weather, and learn crowd-interaction techniques. It is athletic, professional work, and many cheerleaders are trained dancers with backgrounds in commercial performance.

The Cultural Conversation Around Cheerleaders

Cheerleading in the IPL has never been free of debate. Critics have questioned whether the concept fits Indian sporting culture, and there have been controversies over the years about costumes, working conditions and the objectification of performers. Some political and cultural groups have protested at various points, particularly in the league’s early seasons.

The league and franchises have responded by professionalizing the operation: clearer contracts, better working conditions, costumes designed with performer comfort in mind, and a gradual shift in presentation towards athletic dance performance. Supporters of the tradition argue that the performers are skilled professionals doing legitimate entertainment work, and that the squads are as much a part of the IPL’s festive identity as the music, fireworks and fan chants.

Cheerleading Across the Seasons

Through the 2026 season, the presentation has matured considerably. Modern IPL broadcasts cut to cheerleader performances during breaks as part of the television package, and franchises feature their squads in social media content, behind-the-scenes videos and season-launch events. Some teams have developed signature routines that fans recognize instantly, much like football clubs have signature chants.

The pandemic seasons, played behind closed doors, briefly removed cheerleaders from the equation, and their return with full crowds was greeted as another sign of the league’s recovery. Today, the squads are simply part of the furniture: when the DJ plays the franchise anthem and the dancers take the podium, everyone in the stadium knows the show is on.

Are IPL cheerleaders Indian or foreign?

Squads are a mix of both. In the early seasons, most cheerleaders were hired from the United States and South Africa, but franchises now employ a blend of Indian professional dancers and international performers.

How much do IPL cheerleaders earn?

Cheerleaders are paid professionals contracted through entertainment agencies. Exact figures vary by franchise, experience and the length of the contract, and are not publicly disclosed, but established performers earn a professional fee for the season’s work.

Do all IPL teams have cheerleaders?

Yes, every IPL franchise fields its own cheerleading squad for home matches, with performers dressed in team colours and performing routines set to the franchise’s anthems.

What do cheerleaders do during rain delays?

During rain delays and other interruptions, cheerleaders help keep the crowd entertained with extended performances, dances and crowd-engagement activities until play resumes.

Have IPL cheerleaders ever been controversial?

Yes. The concept sparked cultural debate from the league’s early days, with criticism around costumes and working conditions. Franchises have since professionalized the squads with better contracts and presentation focused on athletic dance performance.

A Day in the Life of an IPL Cheerleader

The glamour visible on television hides a gruelling schedule. On match days, cheerleaders typically report to the stadium several hours before the toss. The day begins with hair and makeup, followed by costume fitting and a full rehearsal of the evening’s routines on the actual performance areas. Choreographers run through formations, check spacing on the podiums, and adjust routines for the specific timings of that night’s broadcast schedule.

Once the match begins, the work is physically relentless. Performing high-energy dance routines in heavy costumes under stadium lights, often in the heat and humidity of an Indian summer evening, demands serious athletic conditioning. Squads rotate through the innings to manage fatigue, but each performer still dances for a significant portion of the three-plus hours. Between performances, there are quick costume touch-ups, hydration breaks and constant communication with the event management team about schedule changes.

After the final ball, the day is not over. There are often post-match fan engagement activities, photo sessions and sponsor commitments. Many performers also maintain strict fitness and dance training regimes through the season, treating the two-month tournament like an athletic campaign. It is a profession that demands as much discipline as any sport.

The Business of Cheerleading

Cheerleading in the IPL is a genuine industry. Specialist agencies recruit, train and manage the performers, negotiating contracts with franchises each season. The work has created a professional pathway for dancers in India, with experienced IPL cheerleaders going on to careers in choreography, commercial performance and entertainment management. Franchises, meanwhile, view their squads as brand assets, featuring them in marketing campaigns and digital content that extends far beyond match days. Through the 2026 season, the commercial ecosystem around the squads has only grown more sophisticated.

How does someone become an IPL cheerleader?

Aspirants typically audition through entertainment agencies that hold contracts with IPL franchises. Successful candidates need professional dance training, strong fitness, stage presence and the ability to perform synchronized routines in front of large crowds.