Cleveland to Host Citywide Youth Football and Cheerleading Program

Cleveland is preparing for a citywide youth football and cheerleading season through a new partnership between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Northeast Ohio Muni Football League. Under the emergency ordinance identified as Ord. No. 618-2026, the city has authorized the Director of Parks and Recreation to enter into a contract to provide these organized athletic opportunities for local youth throughout 2026.

According to the 618-2026-Legislative Summary-Muni Football, the program is designed to promote physical fitness, sportsmanship, and scholastic achievement while providing a supervised environment for young athletes. The league, which has operated for over 90 years, serves children aged 6 to 14 through four specific age divisions: Termites (ages 6-7), Juniors (ages 7-8), Peewee (ages 10-11), and Bantam Weights (ages 13-14). The city has allocated $160,000 for this initiative, with funding sourced from RQS RL2026000000032.

Games are scheduled for Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting at 9:00 a.m., with practices held at designated sites during the week. Residents can find game action at several local locations, including John F. Kennedy, Robert Bump Taylor, James F. Rhodes, Luke Easter Park, Central Catholic, John Marshall, Dwayne Browder Field, Collinwood Stadium, John Adams, and Benedictine.

The ordinance has passed City Council. Residents can look to official city communications for further updates regarding program schedules and participation details as the season approaches.

Source record

File
618-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
May 7, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources