Stunning Patriots cheerleaders reveal strict rules they must follow ahead of the Super Bowl

The New England Patriots will be making their return to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2019. But they aren’t the only ones gearing up for the big game. 

When the players take to the field for the biggest game of their careers on Sunday, they will be supported by their very own squad of cheerleaders. 

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders have made the trip across the country to join the team in San Francisco. 

But when gameday rolls around, the cheerleaders will have to follow a strict set of rules before shaking their pom-poms. 

Megan Montiero and Lana Vogler have provided a glimpse behind-the-scenes of the 30-strong squad’s gameday preparations, including a tight time schedule. 

The duo revealed to People that the cheerleaders are often the first to arrive at the stadium for games, sharing that they must get to the ground at least six hours before kickoff. 

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders will be returning to the Super Bowl on Sunday

The strict rules the cheerleaders must follow have been revealed ahead of the big game 

That means for a 1pm kickoff, they arrive at 7am. On Sunday, they’ll be treated to somewhat of a lie-in with the 3:30pm kickoff resulting in a 9:30am call time. 

‘Our practice starts right away,’ Montiero said. ‘We run through everything from the little things we do on the sidelines to a halftime performance, just go through everything.’ 

Most of the time, they’re also needed to arrive with their hair and makeup ready to go. While it isn’t mandatory, they explain that leaving it until just before the game can be a risk as they aren’t guaranteed to be given the time amid warmups and practicing. 

‘Sometimes we’ll have an on-field practice before the game, and you never know how long that’s going to take,’ Montiero said. 

‘Most of us kind of do a good base of everything, so we can just do touchups. But if you are also just really tired one morning, you need that extra 30 minutes of sleep, you can come in without makeup and that’s fine too. You have time to do it.’

Speaking of hair and makeup, the cheerleaders are not allowed to change theirs throughout the season. 

The look their audition with and make the squad with is the appearance they must maintain throughout the season. The cheerleaders cannot run up with blonde hair one week and transform into a brunette for the next.

The New England cheerleaders are also required to do their own hair and makeup, which Vogler and Montiero claim is an exception throughout the league. 

The squad must arrived at the stadium at least six hours before kickoff on gameday 

‘I feel like that’s kind of unique,’ Vogler says. ‘I feel like some teams have their own stylists and stuff, but it’s kind of fun that we all sit next to each other and we have a designated spot in the room that we sit at every single game all season.’ 

Even their nails must follow strict rules. The Patriots colors are red, white and blue but one of those is a total taboo. 

According to Vogler and Montiero, red and white neutrals are allowed but blue – any shade – is strictly prohibited. 

Somewhat surprisingly, the cheerleaders are allowed to interact with the players – unlike other teams around the league –  but most chose not to. 

It is not due to the fact they don’t want to, more so that they don’t have the time in their schedules. 

‘We don’t really interact with them. Our practice schedule is on their off days, so we’re not even in the facility at the same time,’ Vogler revealed.

‘Every once in a while, we’ll be on a promotional appearance with players. A lot of alumni, actually, but we’re both there doing a job at the end of the day. So that’s kind of what I would say.’

The look that they audition with must be the same appearance they keep for the whole season

A cheerleader’s time in New England can only last a maximum of four years. Each year, every cheerleader must re-audition but once they’ve danced for the Patriots for four years, their time is up.  

They do have the option to become what’s called an ‘All-Star,’ that are essentially alumni who will fill in if someone’s injured.

This year, the Patriots do have two All-Stars cheering with them at the Super Bowl. 

The New England Patriots Cheerleaders will take to the sidelines on Sunday as their team face the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco in Super Bowl LX.