Your Child Could Trade the Bleachers for the Friday Knight Lights |
Cheer With a Knight gives children ages 5–14 an evening with the San Marcos High cheer team—and a turn on the football field. |
Most people attend a varsity football game to watch.
Cheer With a Knight has another idea: Learn the cheers.
Meet the squad.
Take the field.
The annual event returns to San Marcos High School on Friday, September 25, offering children ages 5–14 a three-and-a-half-hour introduction to the school’s sideline cheer program.
It runs from 5 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m. at 1615 W. San Marcos Blvd.
Registration is open through Eventbrite.
The Bleachers Can Wait
Participants will learn cheers from SMHS cheerleaders, take part in team-building activities and have dinner before joining the team during a varsity football game.
Children ages 5–7 are scheduled to cheer during the first quarter.
Participants ages 8–14 take over during the second.
Registration includes a 2026 Cheer With a Knight T-shirt, cheer bow, water, dinner and dessert.
That is a fairly packed evening. Apparently school spirit does not believe in intermission.
The organizer describes Cheer With a Knight as an annual volunteer fundraiser connected to the SMHS cheer program. The registration page does not identify the recipient of the proceeds or explain how the money will be used.
What it does confirm is the opportunity: younger participants will learn directly from SMHS cheerleaders before joining them on the field.
For children curious about high-school cheer, this is more than watching from several rows away.
It is a temporary promotion to the sideline.
Parents, Avoid the Check-In Plot Twist
Parents should enter the child’s name as the participant during registration. A parent’s email address and telephone number should be used for contact information.
The organizer warns that entering the wrong name could delay check-in. Families do not need to print an Eventbrite ticket. Check-in will be handled using the participating child’s name.
Approximately one week before the event, organizers plan to email check-in and checkout instructions along with a release form.
The accessible registration page does not provide a dependable 2026 registration price, maximum capacity or number of remaining spaces.
It also predicts that the event will sell out without publishing enrollment figures.
Registration is confirmed.
The crystal ball is not.
Questions can be sent to cwaknightsmhs@gmail.com.
The Other Ticket in the Room
The event page says football tickets will be sold through GoFan. It does not clearly explain whether participating children, parents or other spectators need separate admission.
San Marcos High’s official football page says game tickets go on sale on the Monday before each game.
The school currently lists general varsity and JV football admission at $10 for adults and $5 for students. SMHS students with an ASB card receive free admission.
Families should verify the September 25 requirements when the game-specific listing becomes available.
Questions About Cheer With a Knight
When is Cheer With a Knight 2026?
Friday, September 25, from 5 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m.
Where is it happening?
San Marcos High School, 1615 W. San Marcos Blvd.
Who can participate?
Children ages 5–14.
What comes with registration?
A 2026 T-shirt, cheer bow, water, dinner, dessert and the scheduled activities.
Are football tickets included?
The registration page does not clearly say. Game tickets are expected through GoFan closer to the event. |
12 Comments
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I love that younger kids get to go on the field. My 6yo has been practicing her cheers all week.
That ‘crystal ball’ line made me laugh. But for real, wish the sign-up price and all admissions were one flat fee. All the extra tickets add up.
Lila87Yeah, I was hoping it would be more straightforward too. It’s always those surprise extra costs! Makes budgeting tricky, especially for big families.
Hope they get the check-in process smooth. Saw some families waiting a long time last time. Maybe with better emails it’ll be faster.
Just FYI for newcomers, parking near SMHS fills quick on game nights. Plan to get there early or park in the neighborhood.
My son is more into football than cheering but my daughter is all about the pom poms. Might be a good sibling night!
Curious about the max capacity. If it sells out so fast you’d think they’d list a number. Anyone know from past years?
Love that dinner and dessert are included. Makes it easier after a long Friday. We’ll have two participating!
I wish things like this existed back when my kids were little! Cool to see SMHS cheer girls mentoring younger ones. Go Knights!
Eric VasquezSame here! My daughter is in college now but she would have loved this as a little kid. It’s great they’re bringing the community together like this.
Would be nice if they’d clarify exactly where the money goes. I’ll probably still sign up my daughter but more info would help.
Sounds like a great event for kids who want to give cheer a try. My niece did this last year and talked about it for weeks! Thanks for flagging the ticket stuff, it's usually confusing.