Add to your team order
Light-Up LED Pom Poms
Metallic streamers with LEDs built into the pom, a rechargeable pack, and one remote that changes the whole team’s color at once.
$145 USD per pair
A lights-out introduction is the moment the arena goes dark, the court or ice becomes a screen, and the starting lineup is introduced to music. The dance team can frame that moment from the baseline or the tunnel, but only if they can be seen in the dark. Light-up poms on the same colour cue as the show turn the team into part of the introduction. Our team rate on light-up pom poms is $120 a pair on 10 or more pairs.
How do arenas stage a lights-out introduction?
At the Chicago Bulls’ 2016–17 season opener the arena went dark except for the glowing court; the logo appeared, the mascot walked out, and the floor visuals gave way to a photographic introduction of the starting lineup, synchronized with music (source: PLSN). The 76ers use permanent projection mapping for their introductions, with custom graphics following each player onto the court (source: Full Sail University). These productions are designed for the dark, so everything on the floor needs to read without house light.
Where does the dance team fit in the introduction?
| Position | What the team does | Why light-up poms |
|---|---|---|
| Lining the tunnel | Forms the path the players run through | A lit corridor the cameras follow |
| Along the baseline | Frames the court projection | Outlines the floor in team colour |
| At centre court before the show | Opens the moment, then clears | Visible as the lights drop |
| In the stands | Leads the crowd response | Readable from across the arena |
In every position the team’s job is to frame the players, so the poms need to stay visible without pulling focus from the projection.
How do you sync the team with the production?
- Get the cue sheet from the production team: when the lights drop, when the video starts, when each player is called.
- Set the start colour to match the opening graphic.
- Change colour on a named cue, such as the first starter’s name, with one dancer or captain on the remote.
- Hold still during the player calls and move on the music hits, so the poms frame rather than compete.
- Rehearse in the arena, in the dark, before the first game it is used.
What will an intro set cost?
Our team rate is $120 a pair on 10 or more pairs:
| Team | Pairs (with 2 spares) | Cost at the team rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tunnel line of 12 | 14 | $1,680 |
| Dance team of 18 | 20 | $2,400 |
| Dance team of 24 | 26 | $3,120 |
Shipping is quoted with the order.
Which games deserve a lights-out introduction?
- Season openers, like the Bulls’ opener described above.
- Playoff games.
- Rivalry and theme nights; see theme night ideas for pro games.
- Nationally televised games.
The same set then works for a lights-down halftime later in the night.
What else does the team need for a dark-arena intro?
- Safe footing: enough edge light to see the court lines and the tunnel.
- A captain on the remote, so colour changes are one person’s job.
- Spares in the tunnel in case a pom is damaged.
- Uniforms that read in low light, chosen with the pom colour in mind.
Who pays for the team's set?
The order usually comes from one of three budgets:
- The dance team’s own equipment budget, when the set replaces poms the team would buy anyway.
- Game presentation, when the set is bought for the show: introductions, halftime and theme nights.
- A presenting sponsor. Theme nights often carry one; the Blue Jackets’ 2026–27 Hockey Fights Cancer night is presented by OhioHealth (source: "+SRC_CBJ+") and the Ducks’ by UCI Health (source: "+SRC_DUCKS+"). A sponsor that wants its colour on the floor can fund a set that glows that colour on its night and team colours the rest of the season.
How do you test the look before the first game?
- Book a dark rehearsal in the arena with the production running, not in a practice room.
- Walk to the upper deck and watch the formation from the cheapest seat; that is the view most fans have.
- Film it on a phone from the stands, because that is how the moment travels.
- Check every colour you plan to use against the uniforms and the projection.
- Run the colour cue with the captain on the remote until it lands on the count every time.
How do you order a set for introductions?
Email or DM us with the number of performers, the team colours, the theme colours you need on the remote and the date of your first game. We make the light-up pom poms ourselves and will tell you plainly what fits your timeline. See team orders for how a squad order works.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lights-out intro?
A starting lineup introduction staged with the arena dark, usually with court projection and music, such as the Chicago Bulls’ 2016–17 season opener.
Where should the dance team stand during the introduction?
Lining the tunnel, along the baseline framing the projection, at centre court before the show starts, or in the stands leading the crowd.
How does the dance team stay visible in a dark arena?
With light-up poms that make their own light and change colour on the same cue as the production.
How much does a light-up intro set cost?
Our team rate is $120 a pair on 10 or more pairs. A tunnel line of 12 with two spares is 14 pairs, or $1,680 at that rate.
Can the same poms be used at halftime?
Yes. One remote colour-changing set covers introductions, halftime, time-outs and theme nights.
Which games should get a lights-out intro?
Season openers, playoff games, rivalry and theme nights, and nationally televised games.
Who pays for a light-up set for introductions?
Usually the dance team’s equipment budget, the game-presentation department, or a presenting sponsor that wants its colour on the floor on its night. Theme nights often carry a presenting sponsor, such as OhioHealth for the Blue Jackets’ Hockey Fights Cancer night.
Sources: PLSN, Full Sail University.
Questions: info@neoncowboys.com.
