Chargers Cheerleaders
Dance routines, community ambassadors, and annual calendars from 1976 to 2017.
The San Diego Charger Girls served as the official National Football League cheerleading squad representing the San Diego Chargers. Founded in 1976, the group performed a variety of dance routines during home games and made numerous non-game appearances throughout their tenure. Managed directly by the Chargers organization, the squad members acted as ambassadors for the franchise. Beyond entertainment, the group was known for releasing an annual swimsuit calendar and operating a Junior Charger Girls division to support local charities.
- Founded
- 1976
- Disbanded
- 2017
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The squad was managed directly by the Chargers organization itself. A unique aspect of their operations involved the Junior Charger Girls squad, where each performer was required to raise $175 in sponsor funds. These funds went directly to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Chargers Community Foundation, integrating youth participation with significant charitable giving.
In Their Own Story
From their inception in 1990 until their disbandment in 2021, the Charger Girls maintained a consistent presence for over three decades. Their journey ended due to financial reasons rather than performance issues. A notable moment in their history occurred in 1991 when Charisma Carpenter joined the squad before becoming an actress known for playing Cordelia Chase on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. The group's legacy includes a long-standing tradition of releasing annual swimsuit calendars and engaging in community outreach as official team ambassadors.
Reader's Guide
During their active years, the squad performed specific dance routines at home games to energize the crowd. Fans could also see them during non-game appearances where they fulfilled their ambassador duties. The Junior Charger Girls program offered a pathway for younger performers, contingent on meeting the $175 fundraising requirement for charity. While the group no longer exists as of 2021, historical records note their management by e2k and their specific charitable contributions to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Did You Know?
- The squad was founded in 1976 as the San Diego Charger Girls.
- Charisma Carpenter was a member in 1990 before her acting career on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
- The squad was managed directly by the Chargers organization.
- Junior members were required to raise $175 in sponsor funds for charity.
- The group was disbanded after the 2017 season specifically for financial reasons.