Welcome to Santa Margarita Pop Warner’s 2023 Season

ONLINE Registration is OPEN    "Click the register button below"

Teams fill-up EARLY.  Many teams are filled by March.  First come first serve on reserving spots. PLEASE READ GEOGRAPHICAL WAIVER requirements.  

Join SMPW and be part of one of the largest and most successful Pop Warner associations in Orange County.  In fact, SMPW is nationally RANKED and regarded as one of the best youth football and cheer programs in the country!!!   In 2022, SMPW had more teams than anyone in the conference with 19 and had the HIGHEST WINNING PERCENTAGE of.700 in the conference!!!!   NO OTHER city in the conference came close.  In 2022, SMPW had an unbelievable 14 of our 16 playoff eligible teams make post season!   Our MM, 10U, 11U, 12U and 13U D1 Teams all played in WESCON Regional competition!   No other program came close!  In Cheer, our MM, Pee Wee and JV teams all finished #1 in WESCON and both Pee Wee and JV finished #3 in the entire USA at National competition this year.  Our 11U D1 Football team finished higher than any other program in the conference at #3 in the country at D1.   This year promises to be just as exciting.

Please read this page carefully for registration requirements and important details.

Two steps to Register:

1. Complete online registration by clicking the “Register Here” button above or register at the required in-person registration
2. Attend the required in-person registration (weigh in, sizing and remaining paperwork will be done)

YOU CAN DO A PAYMENT PLAN TO LOCK IN YOUR SPOT NOW.  OUR TEAMS FILL UP QUICKLY WITH MOST CLOSED BY APRIL.

Registration Fees:

$425 for Tiny Mite

$325 for 8U

$525 for 9U,10U,11U 12U, 13U and 14U

$295 for Flag

$450 for Cheer ($250 for Junior Tiny-Mite)

There is a league sponsored fund-raising requirement for all levels except Challenger football.

NEW FOR 2023:  Refer friend and get a $75 refund!  (Referred friends must be first time SMPW players to qualify.)

Regional Boundaries:

Santa Margarita Pop Warner regional boundaries are: 

• Rancho Santa Margarita
• Ladera Ranch
• Rancho Mission Viejo
• San Juan Capistrano
• Trabuco Canyon
• Dove Canyon
• Coto De Caza
• Irvine
• Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas. 

 IF YOU LIVE OUTSIDE THESE CITIES YOU MUST CONTACT US AT [email protected] BEFORE MOVING FORWARD WITH REGISTRATION

Age and Weight Requirements:  SM Pop Warner is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14 (league age is your age on August 1, 2023).  Placement in a particular division is based on a combination of weight/age for Tiny Mite and AGE BASED DIVISIONS do not have a weight requirement but keep players of same age together (Age 8 and under, Age 9 and under, through Age 14 and under).  

Coach/Player Friend Requests:

SMPW will review all coach and/or player friend requests from returning players and allocate to teams per SMPW by-laws.   Coaches cannot promise that a returning SMPW player will be on "their" team unless that player was on the same coaches team prior year.  Please select that you wish to "track" back to same team and note the coaches name where requested.   Players wishing to "not track" back to same team should indicate on the registration form.  Per the by-laws, only players that are new to SMPW can be drafted by coaches during team drafts.

Teams will be formed in April.  You will hear from your coach mid-May. Practices start the first week of August. Check the league website calendar for specific dates.

Challenger Program:

The mission of the Pop Warner Challenger Division is to bring the Pop Warner experience to those special needs individuals. Pop Warner's overall goals are to allow young people to benefit from participating in team sports and activities in a safe and structured environment. By establishing a Challenger Division, Pop Warner is providing an opportunity for everyone to participate in the great game of football. The Challenger Program is a non-competitive program and no score is kept.

If you are interested in having your son or daughter participate in our Challenger program, it is free of charge. Follow the link below for challenger.

Please read the General Information and FAQ sections on the Home Page of the website. They can be found under both football or cheer tabs.

If you have any questions, please email us via the “contact us” tab on the website. We do respond to every email, usually within 2 days.

Best wishes for a great 2023 season from your SM Pop Warner registration team!

At SMPW, SAFETY is our top priority. 

We teach LIFE SKILLS, promote GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP, and DEVELOP LEADERS