Since 2001, caption awards at the Drum Corps International World Championship have been determined by averaging the scores from all three nights of the World Championship competition.
As outlined in the DCI rulebook:
At the World Championships, World Class caption awards will be determined by averaging scores at Prelims, Semifinals, and Finals. Ties will stand.
BEST BRASS – based on Music Brass score
BEST PERCUSSION – based on the total Music Percussion score
BEST VISUAL – based on Visual Proficiency score
BEST COLOR GUARD – based on Visual Color Guard score
BEST OVERALL GENERAL EFFECT – based on combining 4 General Effect scores
The average for each double-paneled caption will be used in determining caption awards.
2026 World Class Caption Award Winners
Donald Angelica Best General Effect Award
Bluecoats | Last win: 2025
Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award
Bluecoats | Last win: 2022
John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award
Bluecoats | Last win: 2025
George Zingali Best Color Guard Award
Bluecoats | Last win: N/A
Jim Ott Best Brass Performance Award
Carolina Crown | Last win: 2023
2026 Open Class Caption Award Winners
Caption awards for Open Class corps are determined by scores earned during the DCI Open Class World Championship Finals.
Best Brass Performance
Blue Devils B | Last win: 2016
Best General Effect
The Battalion | Last win: N/A
Best Visual Performance
Blue Devils B | Last win: 2018
Best Percussion Performance
Blue Devils B | Last win: 2024
Best Color Guard
Gold | Last win: N/A
WATCH: Gold: The little color guard that could
Most Improved Corps
Gems | Last win: N/A
2026 All-Age Class Caption Award Winners
Caption awards for All-Age corps are determined by scores earned during the DCI All-Age World Championship Finals.
Hy Dreitzer Memorial Trophy for High Brass
Reading Buccaneers
Sean & Bob Holton Memorial Trophy for High Percussion
Hawthorne Caballeros
Jim Costello Memorial Trophy for High Visual
Reading Buccaneers
Frank Gerris Memorial Trophy for High Total Effect
Reading Buccaneers
Harvey Olderman Memorial Trophy for Best Color Guard
Hawthorne Caballeros
Additional Awards
Best Honor Guard
Hawthorne Caballeros
Lou Storck Memorial Trophy for Best Showmanship
Chris McCrum (Bushwackers)
WATCH: Bushwackers’ hypnotic sax feature
Butch Anderson and Walt Winkleman Memorial Trophy for Best Drum Major
Kim Roman, Hawthorne Caballeros
