NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the City of Newark. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.
The City of Newark's Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Senior Services and Newark Pop Warner Football and Cheer, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools, will host Eastern Region Pop Warner football playoff games on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Shabazz Stadium, W Alpine St. and Untermann Field, 303 Hobson St., and away games take place Saturday, November 7, and Saturday, November 14 at Edison Jets Field and Enon Field respectively.
"I'm proud of our young athletes here in Newark," said Mayor Ras J. Baraka. "I celebrate all of our football players and cheerleaders, brought up and trained in our city's families, schools and organizations. As teams from five states travel to our city, these playoffs will showcase both the talent of our youth and Newark's commitment to sports, recreation, and community development."
"We are extremely excited and proud of the continued success of our Newark Pop Warner program!" said Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services Director Donnell M. Redding. "We sincerely appreciate and extend our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous dedication demonstrated by our Newark Pop Warner President of Football and Cheer Sheila Booker, Commissioner Julius Montford, our coaches, parents and board members. Their collective efforts, and continued investment in our young people are what make this program such a tremendous success."
The Eastern Region Playoffs run from Sunday, November 1 through Saturday, November 21, 2026, and feature youth football programs from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. Regional champions advance to the Pop Warner National Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Newark Pop Warner has 10 football teams competing in the Eastern Region Playoffs. The Eastern Region Championship Games will be played at Marsh Creek Field in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.
Newark Pop Warner will also send 27 cheer teams to the Eastern Region Cheer Championships at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey. The teams will compete in the Spirit Cheer, Theme Cheer and Pom-Pom divisions. Each squad earned its berth by achieving an average score of 88.9 or higher at the Newark Pop Warner Cheer Championships held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
"This year marks a significant milestone for Newark youth football," said Newark Pop Warner Football and Cheer Operations Commissioner Julius S. Montford. "For the first time in nearly a decade, our athletes will have the opportunity to compete in Eastern Region playoff games in front of their hometown family, friends, and supporters. Hosting these games not only provides a tremendous home-field advantage but also allows Newark to welcome athletes, coaches, families, and visitors from across the region to experience the rich culture, hospitality, and community pride that define the City of Newark."
Winners of the Division I games advance to the Eastern Region Championship Game on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Winners of the Division II games advance to the Division II semifinals on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
The City of Newark, Newark Public Schools and Newark Pop Warner invite residents, alumni, community leaders and football fans across the region to attend. Hosting the Eastern Region playoff games brings hundreds of athletes, coaches, officials and spectators to Newark.
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