Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Training Camp: The Race for 45 Spots

The selection process for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) involves hundreds of candidates competing for a limited number of positions in the squad’s training camp. Director Kelli Finglass and head choreographer Judy Trammell oversee the rigorous evaluations to identify candidates who possess the required combination of talent and beauty.

Typically, only 45 women secure a spot in the training camp from the initial pool of hundreds of applicants. The process is designed to filter candidates through a series of intense trials to determine who is fit for the world-famous cheerleading squad.

The Audition and Selection Process

The path to becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader begins with an open audition known as the cattle call. From this initial stage, the group is reduced to a five-person audition cut-down.

Candidates who survive the initial dance evaluations must undergo a comprehensive series of tests and interviews, which include:

• Personal interviews
• Uniform fittings
• BMI testing
• Physical fitness testing
• Etiquette training
• Mock media interviews
• Calendar shoots

These requirements ensure that the selected cheerleaders meet the physical and professional standards of the organization. The process evaluates not only dance ability but also the candidates’ poise and ability to handle media scrutiny.

Television Coverage and Media Evolution

The rigorous selection process was the central focus of the American reality television series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team. The show aired on CMT from September 29, 2006, to November 27, 2021.

Over 16 seasons and 140 episodes, the series documented the progression of women attempting to join the squad. The production began at Texas Stadium for the first three seasons before moving to AT&T Stadium for subsequent seasons.

Following the cancellation of the CMT series in April 2022, the franchise transitioned to a new platform. A successor series titled America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders was ordered by Netflix and premiered on June 20, 2024.

Leadership and Standards

The standards for the squad are maintained by Kelli Finglass, the DCC director and Judy Trammell, the head choreographer. Finglass is described as presiding over the process with a keen eye for talent and beauty.

The competition is not limited to newcomers. Veteran cheerleaders must also participate in the audition process to secure their spots for the following season, placing them in direct competition with rookie candidates.

For example, in the 2015-2016 season, 400 women auditioned for the squad. During that specific cycle, 23 veterans competed against 59 rookie candidates, with only 46 individuals ultimately making it into the training camp.