The 2016 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders roster has been finalized.
On Tuesday, 60 ladies competed in final auditions at Mall of America in hopes of making the 2016 roster.
"We had maximum-capacity seating and viewers at the railing of all four levels – the energy was incredible," said Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders Head Coach Tami Krause. "It was absolutely, 100 percent, our best show we've ever had – our finalists were so fantastic, and they totally brought it last night."
This year's team will feature 28 dancers on the sidelines during home games and 14 ambassadors who will attend all home games and be involved with the overall Vikings game day experience at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The competition for this year's team started with **open auditions on April 4**. At that time, Krause said the talent pool was one of the best she's seen in 19 years with the Vikings. It was difficult to make cuts then, at the semifinals April 10 and again in the final round.
Krause explained that discussions and scoring of candidates took place at open auditions, contestant interviews, testing, semifinals and during a training camp for cheerleaders during the buildup to the event in Mall of America's Rotunda Tuesday, which was assessed by a panel of 22 judges.
"It's been an ongoing process, but [finals] just bring clarity as far as who's at the top and who makes the cut," Krause said.
The 2016 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders will hit the ground running, starting up with practices immediately and preparing for the exciting season ahead. The Vikings draft party will be the 2016 MVC's first event.
"This is going to be a special group, because they're going to be the first to ever have danced at U.S. Bank Stadium," Krause said. "We're excited that the team is going to be so awesome this year – we're going to have a lot to cheer about. Having the new ambassador role is really going to enhance our program, so there are many things to be looking forward to this year."
