The 2022 Drum Corps International World Championships, Aug. 8-13, will mark a week-long celebration of the world's most elite marching music ensembles.
Featuring a high level of performance excellence coupled with an intense competitive spirit, 35 drum and bugle corps filled with dedicated young performers will take the field throughout the week, creating unparalleled excitement as they vie for the World Championship title. 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.
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 by FloMarching.com and through the annual "Big, Loud and Live" cinema broadcast, before another summer season is written into the history books.
The action kicks off in Marion, Indiana, with the Open Class Prelims and Finals Monday and Tuesday, August 8 and 9. Events will then move to Indianapolis as DCI marches into Lucas Oil Stadium for the 13th year for three incredible days of competition August 11-13.
COMING SOON: A handy tool new for 2022
As the season-ending events of DCI’s 50th anniversary season unfold at Lucas Oil Stadium, be sure to download the all-new DCI World Champs Experience app to stay up-to-date on the latest schedules, lineups, scores, corps info and more. PLUS, register to unlock badges by visiting special DCI events and sites of interest throughout downtown Indy and get rewarded! Available for download from the Apple and Google Play app stores soon.
Jump to day:
Monday, Aug. 8 | Tuesday Aug. 9 | Thursday, Aug. 11 | Friday, Aug. 12 | Saturday, Aug. 13
Eastern Time Zone. Times subject to change.
MONDAY, AUGUST 8
Wildcat Stadium will once again serve as the home of the Open Class DCI World Championship Prelims and Finals in 2022.
Open Class Prelims
Where: Wildcat Stadium, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana
When: Event starts at 4 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $20 in advance
About: In its sophomore year on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University, the Open Class Prelims will kick off all World Championship events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9
The 2022 Open Class Champion will be crowned on Tuesday, August 9, in Marion, Indiana.
Open Class Finals
Where: Wildcat Stadium, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana
When: Event starts at 6 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $20 in advance
About: The DCI World Championships continue on Tuesday, August 9, as the 12 top-scoring corps from the Open Class Prelims compete for the title of World Champion. Tuesday’s event will also feature performances from the non-advancing Prelims corps, as well as the International Class participant, Calgary Stampede.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
Scenic Military Park is the place to be to see brass and percussion warmups.
Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 8 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.
Learn more about Military Park
DCI History Experience
Where: Indiana Convention Center, Hall K, 100 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Celebrating 50 years of the rich and storied history of Drum Corps International, this museum display will bring together a treasured collection of uniforms, memorabilia and other drum corps-related exhibits marking the milestone occasion of this year's golden anniversary.
LISTEN: Preserving drum corps history
DCI Festival Marketplace
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
Marketplace Hours: 9:30 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.
Competition gets underway at Lucas Oil Stadium the morning of Thursday, August 11.
World Championship Prelims presented by GPG Music
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open at 9:30 a.m., first corps steps off at 10:40 a.m.
Admission: Starting at $29 in advance
About: 2022 marks the 13th year of World Championship events at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Prelims schedule includes a lineup of 35 World, Open and International Class corps.
Big, Loud & Live Cinema Event
Where: More than 700 movie theaters across the U.S.
When: 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, lasts approximately five hours
Admission: $19, but may vary 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 12
The Festival Marketplace is located on the main concourse of Lucas Oil Stadium on the way to all seating areas. DCI History Experience
Where: Indiana Convention Center, Hall K, 100 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Celebrating 50 years of the rich and storied history of Drum Corps International, this museum display will bring together a treasured collection of uniforms, memorabilia and other drum corps-related exhibits marking the milestone occasion of this year's golden anniversary.
50th Anniversary Gala Brunch
Where: Marriott Hotel, 350 W. Maryland St, downtown Indianapolis
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Admission: $100 donation
About: The biggest social gathering of Drum Corps International’s 50th anniversary season, proceeds from this once-in-lifetime event will support the continued training, education and development activities of outstanding student leaders through DCI’s “Leaders Serving Leaders” program.
Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 12 p.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 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: 12:30 p.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.
World Championship Semifinals presented by EARasers & InEarz Audio
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open to marketplace 11:30 a.m., First corps steps off 1 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $39 in advance
About: The World Championship Semifinals features DCI's top-25 corps as determined by Thursday's Prelims event. These corps will duke it out 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 DCI drum corps, the INpact Indiana’s Future Band, an honors ensemble made up of middle school music students from across the Hoosier State, and other local musical groups. Entertainment will also include an interactive drum circle.
Semifinals Awards and Ceremonies
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Following Semifinals performances
Admission: Included as part of admission to the Semifinals
About: Kicking off with a performance by the 2022 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 2022 DCI Hall of Fame inductees, DCI Volunteers of the Year and scholarship recipients. It'll all be topped off with a very special performance of the 450-member Bluecoats Alumni Corps, who comes to Indianapolis this summer in celebration of the Ohio corps’ 50th golden anniversary.
Age-Out Ceremony
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Following Semifinals performances
Admission: Included as part of admission to the Semifinals
About: Drum Corps International honors the graduating class of 2022 — corps members who have dedicated their time, passion and hard work to the drum corps activity over many years.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
DrumLine Battle will return as part of the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival Saturday, Aug. 13 in Indy. DCI History Experience
Where: Indiana Convention Center, Hall K, 100 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Celebrating 50 years of the rich and storied history of Drum Corps International, this museum display will bring together a treasured collection of uniforms, memorabilia and other drum corps-related exhibits marking the milestone occasion of this year's golden anniversary.
SoundSport International Music & Food Festival and DrumLine Battle
Where: NEW LOCATION: Lucas Oil Stadium Lot B, South St., downtown Indianapolis
When: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Drum Corps International's SoundSport division showcases ensembles of any age, size and instrumentation in an intimate performance atmosphere. Performances will take place in a brand new location for 2022 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 an exciting competition under DCI’s DrumLine Battle heading.
DCI Festival Marketplace
Hours: Noon to 2 p.m. (coinciding with SoundSport International Music & Food Festival), 3:30 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 4 p.m. 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 2022 summer season. Military Park is a little less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium.
The top-12 corps of 2022 will compete on Saturday, August 13, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
World Championship Finals Ceremonies
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 4:55 p.m. - 6:20 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 include:
• After completing a whirlwind tour of Indianapolis for rehearsals and activities the day before, the INpact Indiana's Future Band, an ensemble made up entirely of Indiana middle school students will perform as part of the opening ceremonies of the World Championship Finals.
• As an annual tradition of the World Championship Finals, the Commandant's Own, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps will perform its field show and the National Anthem during Saturday's event.
World Championship Finals
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open to Festival Marketplace at 3:30 p.m., Ceremonies and special performances beginning at 4:55 p.m., First corps steps off at 6:30 p.m., Awards ceremony at approx. 10:15 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $49 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.
HELPFUL LINKS
Live World Championship webcasts