How do I register for CPW?

First, online registration starts March 1 and is held on our website carlsbadpopwarner.com:

Early bird registration is $500 (March 1-14); regular registration is $600 (March 15 – April 30).

Second, players and parents must also attend one in-person registration; equipment fitting:

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Thursday, 4/17 6pm-8pm

or

Saturday, 5/17 8am-12pm 

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Location:

LIGHT Helmets

5670 El Camino Real Ste C, Carlsbad.

Carlsbad Pop Warner maintains a strict no refund policy to ensure fairness and consistency in reserving
open player slots and forming teams for all divisions.

​What do I need for registration? 

• Both the player/cheerleader and a parent/guardian must be present at in-person registration.

• Original copy of certified birth certificate for age verification and one copy of birth certificate for

us to keep (hospital certificate is not acceptable).

•  Upload a clear photo of child during online registration. School photo works well, no hats or

glasses or anything else obstructing the child’s forward-looking face.

•  Bring registration documents (printed after online registration): 2025 participant contract;

medical history verification; 2025 registration checklist policy agreement & adult code of conduct

•  Helmet and shoulder pads for verification if a returning tackle football player.

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When does the season begin?
Pop Warner National has recently informed all associations that the start date for the 2025 season will be
July 15, 2025. This decision did not come from the local level. CPW will do everything in our power to
ensure that all our athletes meet their certification hours and are eligible for certification. Note:
cheerleading practices will begin August 1, 2025.

What are “mandatory conditioning” certification hours?
Every player must complete 10 hours of non-padded practice before being able to engage in fully padded
contact drills. Practice attendance is mandatory to complete certification and be prepared to play tackle
football. If a player misses any practice during the week of mandatory conditioning beginning July 15,
they will be required to complete their 10 hours of conditioning before they are able to practice in pads
with the rest of the team.
What else does my player need prior to the first practice?
All registration forms and a 2024-25 school year report card must be turned in to each team’s business
manager prior to the first practice July 15. Pop Warner considers academic achievement to be extremely
important for all youth so a 2.0/70% or the equivalent is the minimum GPA acceptable to participate.
Players who fall below the minimum must show positive progress in all classes on a Fall progress report.

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What equipment needs to be purchased to participate in football?

Carlsbad Pop Warner provides the following:​

• Home Game Jersey

• Home Game Pants

• Away Game Jersey

•  Away Game Pants

• CPW Practice Jersey

• CPW Spirit Pack (Shirt & Shorts

• ​

Families must supply the player with: 

• Helmet w/ facemask & chinstrap

• Shoulder Pads

• Mouthpiece

•  Practice pants/compression 7 pad girdle

•  Cleats

•  Socks (all black or all white)​

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​How long is the season?
Practices begin July 15 and usually run 5 days a week, Monday through Friday through the month of
August until games begin. Once games begin, practices are reduced to 3 days per week (2 to 3 days for
cheer) with games on Saturdays. The regular season consists of 8-10 games and continues through
October with Playoff Games, Bowl Games and Invitational Games running into the month of November.
Cheer will be competing locally, and possibly regionally, through the end of November. If a team or squad
advances to Nationals, the Pop Warner Super Bowl will be held from 12/6 – 12/13 and Cheer Nationals
are 12/8 – 12/11 in Charlotte, NC.

When and where are practices and games held?
Practices are usually held in the late afternoons/early evenings at Pine Park or Poinsettia Park and are
scheduled based upon field availability and the preferences of the coaching staffs who volunteer countless
hours. Games are scheduled on Saturdays anytime from 9am to 5pm as determined by the West Coast
Conference. CPW hosts home games at Sage Creek HS.

​What other cities could we travel to for away games?
The West Coast Conference is based in San Diego County. WCC Associations include the following:
Carlsbad, Coastal Del Mar, Coronado, Eastlake, El Cajon, El Centro, Escondido, Fallbrook, La Costa
Canyon, Lakeside, Mira Mesa, Mexicali, Murrieta Valley, Oceanside, Point Loma, Poway, Ramona,
Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Hills, San Diego Aztecs, San Diego Falcons, San Marcos, Santee, Scripps
Ranch, Temecula, Valencia Park, Valley Center, and Vista. This list is subject to change by WCC.

​Does my player have to try out? Can I request a specific team? How much will my player play?
Pop Warner prohibits tryouts of any kind. Divisions with more than one team will have a mandatory
assessment in May (date TBD) after which players will be placed on a team where their athletic abilities
and safety comes first. Coaching staffs must adhere to the CPW Team Formation Policy. Due to the
complex nature of forming teams, coach or friend requests cannot be accommodated. Pop Warner has a
strict “minimum play rule” (MPR) that guarantees players who attend all practices in a week will play at
least 8 to 10 plays in a game, depending on the number of eligible players on the roster. Coaches will
make playing time and position decisions based on skill, experience, work ethic, practice performance,
and safety. Cheerleaders will be placed on a squad appropriate for their age, skill level, and experience to ensure their safety as well.