It’s been just over two months since the final moments of the 2025 Drum Corps International Tour, but the first whispers of the 2026 season are already growing more and more audible.
With many corps’ recruitment season beginning to enter full swing — and many more scheduled auditions to come in the near future — all signs are leading toward the 2026 DCI Summer Tour. Along the road to the next season of competitive drum corps, many key dates will help point the way.
Here are a few key offseason dates to look out for on the calendar:
ONGOING
Join a Drum Corps!
The first audition camp opportunities offered by DCI corps were held in early November, but that’s just the beginning.
For some, a slew of audition events across the country and globe will help open the door to your drum corps career. For others, a lower-scale, more accessible opportunity may be awaiting you in your own community, at a free educational clinic or an open house event.
However you get there, there’s plenty of room for you on the 2026 DCI Tour. Text MARCH to 866-866-5009, visit dci.fan/MarchDrumCorps, or head straight to your favorite corps’ website to learn more about audition specifics.
The First Step: Voices from the Rookie Class of 2025
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
Revealing the Road Map
Traditionally released in the days leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, the newest edition of the DCI Tour Schedule will help paint the picture of your summer, as a performer, volunteer, or fan.
As part of this year’s schedule release, tickets to the following individual events are also set to go on sale beginning November 19 at noon, 12 p.m. ET:
- DCI Southwestern Championship | San Antonio | Saturday, July 18
- DCI Eastern Classic | Allentown | Friday, July 31 & Saturday, August 1
- DCI World Championships Prelims | Indianapolis | Thursday, August 6
- DCI World Championship Semifinals & All-Age Prelims | Indianapolis | Friday, August 7
- DCI All-Age World Championship Finals | Indianapolis | Saturday, August 8
- DCI World Championship Finals | Indianapolis | Saturday, August 8
Fans can keep their eyes peeled for exclusive content surrounding the release of the 2026 DCI Tour schedule, produced in partnership with Ultimate Drill Book.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
Meeting of the Minds
Each winter, DCI’s annual business meetings bring together people from all corners of the drum corps activity to help plan not only for the success of the upcoming summer tour, but also for the long-term success and sustainability of the organization and activity as a whole.
This year’s meetings, held in downtown Indianapolis, will include an array of business initiatives among corps directors, leadership training for drum majors, discussion of activity trends and topics by corps designers and educators, and much more.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Tickets Galore
As anticipation of the 2026 DCI Tour continues to build, Groundhog Day serves as the perfect opportunity to pick up tickets to one of several summer events. DCI’s annual “Mega Monday” features the release of tickets for more than a dozen events, often including some of the DCI Tour’s most popular locations.
Sign up for DCI’s ticket alert mailing list to stay on top of the official list of events that will be available.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
March Forth!
Officially coined in 2017 as Marching Music Day, performers and fans from around the marching arts universe take the annual opportunity on March 4th to celebrate the marching arts and support their favorite organizations within the activity. March 4th also falls perfectly on the calendar to help usher in the early steps of the new drum corps season.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Off to the Races
For the second year in a row, the summer’s live performances will kick off the final Friday in June, with an exhibition event to be held at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.
Don’t miss any additional developments as the 2026 off-season marches along. Sign up to receive Drum Corps International’s weekly e-newsletter for the latest news and information.
