Bands of America Grand Nationals

The Grand National Championships, presented by Yamaha and Sweetwater, bring together the nation's top high school marching bands for a prestigious competition at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Since its inception in 1976, the event has grown into a showcase of musical excellence and pageantry, with bands performing intricate field shows for a panel of judges. The atmosphere is electric, with thousands of spectators cheering on the performers.

Bands of America, the organizing body, emphasizes music education and provides adjudication standards for marching band contests across the US. Founded by Larry McCormick in 1975, the organization has impacted 1.75 million music students. The championship serves as the culmination of the fall marching season, attracting over 400,000 attendees annually. Attendees can expect a day-long celebration of marching band artistry, with performances from dozens of schools in the indoor setting of Lucas Oil Stadium.