- Marching Music's Major LeagueTM
Friends of DCI help to guarantee that future generations of young, world-class performers enjoy the opportunity to achieve their ultimate performances on the greatest stage in marching music, and you’ll be there to enjoy every heart-pounding minute from the best seats in the house at the DCI World Championships. Plus, you’ll get exclusive access to “Friends-only” box office presales for dozens of select DCI Tour events!
As a Friend of DCI, you’ll enjoy exclusive, donors-only benefits in and around the summer drum corps season. You will belong to an “inner circle” of our most committed fans who wish to encourage – and enjoy – “Achievement at a Higher Level” today and for years to come.
Exclusive seating section: Based on the donation level, Friends of DCI are able to purchase three-day DCI World Championship ticket packages in the exclusive "Friends of DCI Zone" of seats at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. It’s a section of seats in the most prime section of the stadium right in the heart of all the action on the field.
"Friends of DCI Zone" seating inventory is limited and available while supplies last. Once this inventory is exhausted, members who join the program will be assisted by a member of the DCI ticketing team in selecting the best available seating options.
Priority entry: Friends of DCI receive a special ID card that grants you and your guests access to a priority entrance at Lucas Oil Stadium for all three days of events at the DCI World Championships.
Other perks: Friends of DCI have early access to book within DCI's special blocks of Indianapolis hotel rooms for the DCI World Championships before the general public.
Become a “Friend of DCI” today and share your commitment with future generations of outstanding young performers.
*The price of a three-night ticket package for seating in the Friends of DCI area for the 2027 DCI World Championships will vary depending on the seat(s) chosen. The link to the ticket package form will be sent directly via email, so please be on the lookout once your donation has been processed.
How does the seating process work?
Seating in the center-most sections of the stadium is reserved exclusively for members of the Friends of DCI program. As a Friend, your priority to purchase tickets in these coveted sections is based on the level of your gift and then your longevity within the Friends program.
For Friends in the Diamond and Platinum levels, you will automatically be seated in the best available seats based on your priority within the Friends program. Our team will use the preferences listed on your donation form, along with your seat assignments from previous years to make a selection for you. Once processed, we will send you an invoice for your ticket packages, which can be paid securely by credit card.
For Friends within the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper levels, you will select your own seats through DCI’s online ticketing platform. Starting in October, we will open up access windows by donation tier. Your specific access day within your tier is based on your seniority year.
Each day, a new group of Friends will gain access to purchase ticket packages. You will receive an email alerting you of the exact day your personalized link and access code will become active. The seating platform opens at 12:00 PM (noon) EDT on your assigned day, giving you full access to all available inventory to choose your seats. Once selected, you can pay for your ticket packages directly within the system.
Why is DCI making these changes to the seating process?
Through the years, we’ve received feedback from our donors that the seating process is confusing and lacks transparency. These changes were designed to give you greater visibility and insight into seat availability. Additionally, we recognize that selecting your own seats for the event is an important part of your World Championship experience, and we want you to have greater control over your experience!
Will there still be one price for all seats, or will the ticket pricing change?
Ticket pricing will transition to a tiered structure this year to better align the cost of a ticket package with the specific location and value of the seats. Previously, a single flat price was applied to every seat in the program, meaning a package on the 30-yard line cost the same as a premium seat directly at the 50-yard line.
Moving to section-based pricing allows us to create a fairer system across the stadium while introducing more flexible options. This ensures you have a wider variety of price points to choose from, giving you the freedom to customize your World Championship experience based on both your preferred sightlines and your budget. Pricing for each section will be visible directly within the seat selection map when your access window opens.
Can I renew my exact seats from last year?
While we recognize how much our donors value retaining their same seats year after year, we are not currently able to support automatic seat renewals.
What can I do to prepare for seat selection in October?
To ensure a smooth experience when your access link becomes active, we recommend taking a moment to verify your account login ahead of time.
Can I select different seats for each day of World Championships?
To ensure you have a consistent, premium experience throughout World Championships, the Friends of DCI Ticket Package secures the same great seats for all three nights. Because packages are bundled this way, we are unable to split or vary seat assignments between individual nights.
