Ensembles from five countries will be represented at 2026 European Drum Corps Championships

A total of 10 ensembles will perform at the event, representing the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Poland and Ireland. Competitors will take the field on Saturday with a preliminary round of competition in the afternoon before participating in finals in the evening. Additionally, Dordrecht’s own 120+ member Jubal Legacy Project will perform in exhibition, bringing together generations of performers connected to the more than 100-year-old organization.

Ensembles will be organized into five different classes and divisions: Premier Class, Junior Class, Concert Class, SoundSport and Show Class, which is a new addition for 2026. DCI’s SoundSport program was integrated into the event in 2025, a move made to cater to the changing scene of marching music across Europe. Adding the new Show Class is a move in the same direction.

“The Show Class is aimed at groups whose performances don’t fit the traditional drum corps format,” Kloppert said. “For example, units that don’t have a color guard. Introducing this new class reflects the growing interest in the EDCC and provides an opportunity for a wider range of ensembles to take part in the championships.”