The 2023 Drum Corps International World Championships, August 7-12, will mark a week-long celebration of the world's finest 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 as part of the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival.
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 7 and 8. Events will then move to Indianapolis as DCI marches into Lucas Oil Stadium for the 14th year for three incredible days of competition August 10-12.
Jump to day:
Monday, Aug. 7 | Tuesday Aug. 8 | Wednesday Aug. 9 |Thursday, Aug. 10 | Friday, Aug. 11 | Saturday, Aug. 12
Eastern Time Zone. Times subject to change.
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
Wildcat Stadium will once again serve as the home of the Open Class DCI World Championship Prelims and Finals in 2023.
Open Class Prelims
Where: Wildcat Stadium, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana
When: Gates open at 5 p.m. Event starts at 5:50 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $22 in advance
About: Returning to the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University, the Open Class Prelims will kick off all 2023 World Championship events.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8
The 2023 Open Class Champion will be crowned on Tuesday, August 8, in Marion, Indiana.
Open Class Finals
Where: Wildcat Stadium, 4201 S. Washington St., Marion, Indiana
When: Gates open at 5 p.m. Event starts at 6 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $22 in advance
About: The DCI World Championships continue on Tuesday, August 8, as corps compete for the title of World Champion. In addition to the finalist drum corps, Tuesday’s event will also feature a performance by Indianapolis-based SoundSport team, Eclipse.
Special ticket offer for Indiana residents
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9
Special Events
Indy Eleven Soccer: While Wednesday represents a break in the drum corps action, for those who are traveling into Indianapolis early and are looking for something to do, consider heading out to Carroll Stadium (1001 W. New York St.) for a 7 p.m. match between pro soccer’s Indy Eleven and Birmingham Legion FC. In honor of World Championships Week, the Indy Eleven are offering complimentary tickets to DCI fans.
Order complimentary Indy Eleven tickets
After visiting the link above, Select desired seat(s) and in dropdown menu. At checkout in “how did you hear about this offer,” select Drum Corp. Int. Tickets will be emailed to your phone.
Indianapolis Indians Baseball: Drum Corps International has also partnered with the Indianapolis Indians baseball team on an exclusive ticket offer! Enter the code DRUM to receive $4 off all lawn, reserved and box seats to the Indians’ games Thursday, August 10 through Saturday, August 12.
Order discounted Indianapolis Indians tickets
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10
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 10:30 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 Festival Marketplace
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
Marketplace Hours: 10:30 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 10.
World Championship Prelims presented by Band Today
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: Gates open at 10:30 a.m., first corps steps off at noon, 12 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $32 in advance
About: 2023 marks the 14th year of World Championship events at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Prelims schedule includes a lineup of more than 30 World and Open 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: Approximately $20 varying 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 11
The Festival Marketplace is located on the main concourse of Lucas Oil Stadium on the way to all seating areas. Warmup Lot
Where: Military Park, 601 W. New York St., downtown Indianapolis
When: Approximately 11 a.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: 11:30 a.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
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 $45 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 and SoundSport teams, 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.
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 2023 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 2023 DCI Hall of Fame inductees, DCI Volunteers of the Year and scholarship recipients. It'll all be topped off with a very special performance by the Troopers Legacy Corps, a group assembled in honor of the Wyoming corps’ 65th 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 2023 — corps members who have dedicated their time, passion and hard work to the drum corps activity over many years.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12
DrumLine Battle will return as part of the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival Saturday, Aug. 12 in Indy. SoundSport International Music & Food Festival
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Lot B, South St., downtown Indianapolis
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public
About: Drum Corps International's SoundSport showcases ensembles of any age, size and instrumentation in an intimate performance atmosphere. Performances will take place 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, along with individuals and small ensembles performing as part of the first-ever “DCI’s Got Talent” showcase.
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 2023 summer season. Military Park is a little less than a mile from Lucas Oil Stadium.
The top-12 corps of 2023 will compete on Saturday, August 12, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
World Championship Finals Ceremonies
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, 500 S. Capitol Ave., downtown Indianapolis
When: 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 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 5:30 p.m., First corps steps off at 6:30 p.m., Awards ceremony at approx. 10:25 p.m.
Admission: Starting at $55 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.
Special ticket offer for Indiana residents
HELPFUL LINKS
Live World Championship webcasts