• Enter the parking lots at Gate 17 via Silver Drive
• BOA staff will be on hand to meet you and give your drivers parking instructions
• There is no eating, warm-up, or stretching allowed in the parking lots
• BOA does NOT provide bus driver hospitality areas

• Location: In the bus/truck parking lot, north of Gate 2
• Opens 30 minutes after the first parking lot arrival time. See Prelims Schedule.
• Each band must check in to receive their check-in packet (final schedule, participant segment patches, and event credentials) and complete the Pre-Draw for Finals

Each Band will receive 31 credentials for adults working with the band (6 laminate name badge credentials, 25 field passes). These are included as part of the registration fee. Each band will be allowed to purchase an additional 10 credentials, for a total of 41 credentialed adults per event. All additional credentials must be purchased 30 days prior to your event by credit card only. Read more information here.

Prelims Session Tickets: $30 
Finals Session Tickets: $30 
Day Pass: $50 
Ticketing at this venue is provided by Ticketmaster. This venue issues tickets through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster fees will be added to your purchase at checkout. This venue may add a facility fee to your purchase. 

• Restrooms: SE corner of stadium; enter via Band Re-Entry – Gate #3
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available near the parking lots

• It is the responsibility of each band to ensure proper hydration of its members throughout the duration of the event.
• Bands of America will provide a potable water bottle filling station.
• These water stations will be equipped with water horses and continuously flowing water. Bands of America will NOT PROVIDE CUPS.
• LOCATION: South Entry Plaza

Bands of America defers to the weather policies and safety protocols of the facilities in which we operate. On-site updates will be provided via the BAND app for this event.

BAND WARM-UP

• LOCATION: parking lot R, south of the Bus/truck parking lot
• SURFACE: paved
• Separate area for Pit Percussion
• Groups MUST report to their assigned warm-up at their scheduled time, as BOA doesn’t provide guides. Late arrivals cannot extend their time.
• BOA staff will monitor time and direct groups to the gate, providing 15 and 5-minute warnings. Groups must exit by the end of their time, starting to move out at 2 minutes.
• New groups can enter as the previous one exits, following BOA staff directions.
• Warm-up/rehearsal on-site is only allowed during the assigned time and location.

BATTERY

• LOCATION: With the band in the Band Warm-Up Area
• SURFACE: paved

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: closed road by Gate 16, north of Band Warm-Up
• SURFACE: paved
• Pit Percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time.

WIRELESS SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS

• Wireless microphone transmitters, wireless networks, and audio and/or lighting control devices may not be used in warm-up areas.
• Wired instruments, including guitars, keyboards etc. may be used in warm-up at reasonable volumes or while not amplified.

• A small repair kit and limited number of instruments will be available at Band Check-In.

The full entrance sequence and announcement examples are listed in the BOA Adjudication Handbook.

THE SEQUENCE

At the Gate: Band arrives at the gate per schedule (no band guides). Explain your setup to BOA Staff for clarity.

Goal Line: We will move the band to the GOAL LINE. BOA staff will count down the start of your 4-minute set-up time.

Take the Field: 4 minutes before show time, enter the field as you have rehearsed. All setup (prop staging, warm-up, etc.) MUST be within these 4 minutes.

• Props: Rehearse field entry with prop movers for a smooth performance day.
• Front Ensemble: A BOA official will coordinate this entrance at the same time as the band entrance.

Announcement: At 3 minutes 15 seconds (of the 4 minutes), the announcement begins. BOA Staff can cue your drum major(s) for the announcement and salute (optional).

• Note: The BOA announcement does NOT ask, “Is your band ready?”

Perform: Begin after the announcement. All adults must be off the field at this time.

Clear the Field: You have 2 minutes after your show to clear the field (or be making substantial progress towards the exit side) – all props, personnel, and parents.

• BOA’s prop rules apply regardless of venue’s gate and tunnel dimensions. See Adjudication Handbook.

BAND, PIT PERCUSSION, PROP FIELD ENTRY

• Back, Side 2
• Gate is 11′ wide with a 15′ height restriction

BAND, PIT PERCUSSION, PROP FIELD EXIT

• Back, Side 1
• Gate is 11′ wide with a 13′ height restriction

• High School field markings: white, 53’4” from the front and back sidelines and 53’4” apart. These are marked every yard.
• Livestream microphones will be placed 1 foot outside the 15-foot line on the 35 and 50-yard lines.

• LOCATION: Top of Section 106
• ROUTE: Field level stairs

• LOCATION: Judges will be located under the 200 level stands in Suite 106.
• Adjudication Panel Biographies are posted online on the event’s Spectator Guide. Caption assignments will be released on event morning at Band Check-In.
• All scores and recaps will be released after the Finals Awards Ceremony

• PRELIMS: This is a Drum Majors ONLY ceremony.
• A Finalist Directors Meeting will be held right after Preliminary Awards. Drum majors are encouraged to attend. You’ll receive the finals schedule, field passes, and Finals Awards information.
  • LOCATION: From the South Entry Plaza, take the stairs to the 200 level to the Upper 90 Lounge on the SE corner of the stadium.
• FINALS: full band Olympic-style retreat.
• Class champions not advancing to finals are invited to perform in exhibition and the Finals Awards.
• Read the Awards Ceremony Walkthrough.
• Finale Staging Map (PDF)

• LOCATION: Students should enter as a group at Band Re-Entry – Gate #5. See Site Overview Map.
• Students receive wristbands at band check-in for spectator entry (Prelims AND Finals)
• Only clear bags and emergency bags will be permitted.

Jolesch Enterprises will be on-site taking action photos on the field level and awards photos. Ordering information is available online at joleschenterprises.com.

• Outside food and beverage are NOT allowed to be brought into the stadium.
• LOCATION: parking lot south of Gate 5, and east of Band Warm-Up
• The stadium will be cleared, and concessions will be closed during the dinner break between Prelims and Finals.
• Food Delivery: There will be a designated food delivery drop-off zone south of the picnic area off of 1 Black & Gold Boulevard. Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.