The 2026 Drum Corps International World Championships, August 3-8, will mark a week-long celebration of the world’s finest marching music ensembles.
Featuring a high level of performance excellence coupled with an intense competitive spirit, 46 drum and bugle corps filled with dedicated performers will take the field throughout the week, creating unparalleled excitement as they vie for World Championship titles. Adding to the entertainment in Indianapolis will be SoundSport and DrumLine Battle teams, whose all-age, all-instrumentation performances will add unique flair to the World Championships Week atmosphere as part of the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival.
But the World Championships are more than just competition and placements. Thousands of drum corps alums, family members and fans will travel thousands of miles to share in the excitement of this year’s “Finals Week,” and thousands more will join in through live coverage provided through cinemas nationwide and FloMarching before another summer season is written into the history books.
The action kicks off in a brand-new location, Dayton, Ohio, for the Open Class Prelims and Finals Monday and Tuesday, August 3 and 4. Events will then move to Indianapolis as DCI marches into Lucas Oil Stadium for the 17th year for three incredible days of competition August 6-8.
Jump to day:
Eastern Time Zone. Times subject to change.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Open Class World Championship Prelims
Where: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Dayton, Ohio
When: Gates open at 5 p.m. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $39 in advance
About: In a brand-new location and venue, the Open Class Prelims will kick off all 2026 World Championship events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Open Class World Championship Finals
Where: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C Moses Blvd., Dayton, Ohio
When: Gates open at 5 p.m. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $42 in advance
About: The DCI World Championships continue as corps compete for the title of Open Class World Champion. In addition to the finalist drum corps, Tuesday’s event will also feature Costa Rica’s Mercedes Marching Band.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 11 a.m. until last performing corps warms up
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Come see your favorite corps warming up at historic Military Park before their competitive Prelims performances. A 14-acre green space bordering the campus of IUPUI, Military Park is a little less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium.
DCI Festival Marketplace
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
Marketplace Hours: 10:30 a.m. until stadium clears at the end of the Prelims event
Admission: Free with your ticket to the Prelims
About: Grab some cool new gear from DCI, your favorite corps and DCI’s corporate sponsors! Entertainment, souvenirs, information and other items and activities will be available. Immediately upon entering Lucas Oil Stadium’s east-side entrance, fans will find themselves immersed in the Festival Marketplace with booths lining the concourse leading to the seating area.
World Championship Prelims
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open at 10:30 a.m., first corps steps off at 12:10 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $43 in advance
About: 2026 marks the 17th year of World Championship events at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Prelims schedule includes a lineup of more than 30 World, Open and International Class ensembles.
Big, Loud & Live Cinema Event
Where: More than 500 movie theaters across the U.S.
When: 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, lasts approximately five hours
Admission: Varies by theater location
About: If you can’t make it to Lucas Oil Stadium, you can still take part in the World Championships excitement. “Big, Loud & Live” will bring the complete performances of the Top 15 corps live to select movie theaters nationwide.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 8 a.m. until the last performing corps warms up
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Watch your favorite corps warm up before they take the field for the All-Age Class Championships and the Semifinals competition. Military Park is a little less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium.
DCI Festival Marketplace
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
Hours: 7:30 a.m. until stadium clears after the Semifinals event
Admission: Free with your ticket to the Semifinals
About: Purchase souvenirs and other merchandise from your favorite World and Open Class corps, Drum Corps International and more! The Festival Marketplace is located throughout the main stadium concourse leading from the stadium’s east entrance to the seating areas.
All-Age Class World Championship Prelims
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open at 7:30 a.m., first corps steps off at 8:30 a.m.
Admission: Same ticket as World Championship Semifinals (starts at $59 in advance)
About: This preliminary event for the full complement of DCI’s All-Age Class corps will result in the Top 12 scoring corps advancing to the Saturday morning DCI All-Age World Championships Finals. Admission to this event is included as part of a ticket to the DCI World Championship Semifinals.
World Championship Semifinals
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates remain open through All-Age Class Prelims (7:30 a.m.), first corps steps off at 1:30 p.m.
Admission: Starts at $59 in advance
About: The World Championship Semifinals features DCI’s Top 25 corps as determined by Thursday’s Prelims event. These corps will compete for a spot in the coveted “Top 12,” giving them one more chance to perform on Saturday.
Shining a Light on Music Education
Where: Monument Circle, 1 Monument Circle, downtown Indianapolis
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Each night, Downtown Indianapolis’ iconic Monument Circle presents a compelling and eye-catching light show. Friday evening, the event will direct its lights toward a focus on music education, with featured performances by SoundSport teams, DCI’s INpact Honors Band — made up of middle school music students from across the Hoosier State — and other local musical groups.
Semifinals Awards and Ceremonies
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Following Semifinals performances (Approximately 9:20 p.m.)
Admission: Included as part of admission to the Semifinals
About: Kicking off with a performance by the 2026 Open Class DCI World Champion, a number of awards and presentations will be made at the conclusion of Friday night’s competition including recognition of the 2026 DCI Hall of Fame inductees and DCI Volunteers of the Year. It’ll all be topped off with a very special performance by the Phantom Regiment 70th Anniversary Alumni Corps.
Age-Out Ceremony
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Following Semifinals performances (Approximately 10:30 p.m.)
Admission: Included as part of admission to the Semifinals
About: Drum Corps International honors the graduating class of 2026 — corps members who have dedicated their time, passion and hard work to the drum corps activity over many years.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
SoundSport International Music & Food Festival
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Lot B, South St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open 10 a.m. First performing group 10:50 a.m. DrumLine Battles 1:30 & 3 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Drum Corps International’s SoundSport showcases ensembles of any age, size and instrumentation in an intimate performance atmosphere. Performances will take place just across South Street in the shadow of Lucas Oil Stadium. Be on the lookout for a variety of Indianapolis’ gourmet food trucks surrounding the arena, as the streets of downtown Indy turn into a festival of the performing arts. The Saturday event will also feature exciting DrumLine Battle performances.
DCI Festival Marketplace
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (coinciding with SoundSport International Music & Food Festival), 4 p.m. until stadium clears after the Finals event
Admission: Free with admission to the Finals
About: Fans will have access to the marketplace in Lucas Oil Stadium during the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival before re-opening for those attending the DCI World Championship Finals later that evening.
Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 8 a.m. (All-Age corps), 4 p.m. (World Class corps) until last performing corps warms up
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Watch your favorite corps warm up before they take the field for their final performances of the 2026 summer season. Military Park is a little less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium.
All-Age Class World Championship Finals
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open at 9 a.m., First corps steps off at 10 a.m., Awards ceremony at approximately 1:45 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $50 in advance
About: The Top 12 scoring corps from Friday’s All-Age Class Prelims will compete for the overall title of All-Age World Champion.
World Championship Finals Ceremonies
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free with admission to the Finals
About: The DCI World Championship Finals will kick off with a number of special recognitions, presentations and performances. Highlights will include the INpact Honors Band presented by Conn Selmer, made up of hundreds of middle school musicians from across the state of Indiana, and “The Commandant’s Own,” the U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.
World Championship Finals
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open to Festival Marketplace at 4 p.m., Ceremonies and special performances beginning at 5:30 p.m., First corps steps off at 6:30 p.m., Awards ceremony at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $69 in advance
About: DCI’s “Top 12” will compete for the chance to be named World Champion and to affix their corps’ name to the DCI Founders Trophy.
