Get ready for some mat talk because Cheer is officially returning to Netflix for a second season!

In December 2021, the streaming service announced that Monica Aldama and her Navarro College Bulldogs are, indeed, vying for another National Cheerleaders Association’s National Championship trophy — even amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Not only will season 2 follow the Navarro College, but fans will get an inside look at their biggest rival, Trinity Valley Community College.

“It covers, I think, the first part up to where we get our season canceled and then picks back up with now we’re coming back in a COVID year, which was so hard with all the COVID rules and stuff,” Monica told J-14 exclusively ahead of the season 2 premiere. “It should be an exciting season 2. Definitely, you’ll get to see, obviously, your favorites from season 1 and you will definitely fall in love with some new people too.”

The Emmy-winning docuseries first premiered on the streaming service in January 2020 and took viewers on an emotional journey of competition and family as breakout stars Gabi Butler, Morgan Simianer, Lexi BrumbackLa’Darius Marshall, Mackenzie ‘Sherbs’ Sherburn and Austin Bayles all told their stories. After the show became a hit, fans had their fingers crossed for a second season. Then, in March 2020, COVID-19 derailed Navarro College’s cheer season. But, Coach Monica still fielded questions about the possibility of a season 2.

“I’m always down. I think the whole world needs more Cheer in their live right now, but unfortunately, I really, honestly, don’t know,” she told Entertainment Tonight in August 2020. “So, I’m just going to enjoy today and continue to enjoy season 1 and all of the glory we’ve gotten for it.”

Following the show’s success Monica went on to complete on season 29 of Dancing With the Stars while her cheerleaders stayed in the spotlight. One well-known Cheer star, Jerry Harris, was arrested in late 2020 on misconduct allegations and was subsequently charged by the FBI. He pleaded not guilty to all charges in December 2020, per Us Weekly.

The fallout of his arrest will be addressed throughout Cheer season 2. Director Greg Whiteley spoke with Variety in December 2021 about the Navarro College cheer team speaking about the allegations on camera.

“Jerry would’ve been impossible to ignore because it impacted the team so severely,” he explained. “The series covers events as they unfolded, beginning in January 2020 through April 2021, so the charges against Jerry Harris are covered in depth in episode five.”

As for the rest of the team, some familiar faces will be included. Viewers will also be introduced to new breakout stars.

“When we arrived at Navarro to film season 2, it was impossible to ignore their fame,” the director told Variety. “It was such a big part of their lives that it would have been dishonest not to account for it when filming.”

Scroll through our gallery for everything we know about Cheer season 2 so far. 

Love J-14? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars.