Each BAND is event specific. Join the 2025 BAND here.

• Enter the parking lots from South Greenwood Drive then turn left onto Go Bucs Trail
• There are two parking locations (Lots 21 and 22) and BOA staff will be on hand to give your drivers parking instructions
  • NOTE: Semi-trucks will only be allowed to park in Lot 22, off of Go Bucs Trail
• There is no eating, warm-up, or stretching allowed in the parking lots
• BOA does NOT provide bus driver hospitality areas

Parking Pass (PDF)

• Location: east end of the bus and truck parking lot
• 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

• Restrooms: visitor side of the dome (not near parking or warm-up) and northeast corner of building 330, south of band warm-up (see Site Overview Map)
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available near the bus/truck 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: east of warm-up

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: practice fields across the street, south of the bus/truck parking lot
• SURFACE: grass
• 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.

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: east side of Lot 21 (truck parking lot) (see Site Overview Map)
• SURFACE: paved
• Pit percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time.
• Pit percussion can warm-up with the band, though it’s not recommended due to the distance and terrain.

BATTERY

• Battery may warm-up with the band or the pit percussion.
• The battery must follow the schedule of whichever warm-up location it chooses.

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 technician from Music Doctors will be on site, offering repair services near Band Warm-up. 
• 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.

• From warm-up, the route to performance includes walking on a road in a closed lane of traffic (cones and police presence). See Site Overview Map.
  • NOTE: Large equipment/props can leave the parking lots via Jack Vest Drive and walk on State of Franklin Road (closed lane of traffic) to the stadium instead of following the band path.
• Garage door is 14′ wide and 15′ wide
  • NOTE: BOA’s prop rules apply regardless of venue’s gate and tunnel dimensions. See Adjudication Handbook.
• Field Entry/Exit: Side 1

NOTE: The stadium has limited sideline space as well as raised seating. This may require adjustments to your pit percussion speakers and drum major podium placement.
To assist with the lack of front sideline space, drum majors can stand in the reserved front row of the spectator stands. Access to the spectator stands is via staircases at either end zone.

• Both NCAA/Texas High School & Traditional High School Field Markings
• NCAA/Texas High School markings: white, 60’ from the front and back sidelines and 40’ apart.  These are marked every yard.
• High School field markings: yellow, 53’4” from the front and back sidelines and 53’4” apart. These markings will be placed every five yards.
• Livestream microphones will be placed 1 foot outside the 15-foot line on the 35 and 50-yard lines

• LOCATION: reserved seats in the middle of Section D
• ROUTE: Field level stairs on side 1 goal line

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in the top of the press box
• 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: Press Room under the home seats; access via field level 20-yard line
• 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. 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: Quad southeast of the stadium
• The stadium will be cleared, and concessions will be closed during the dinner break between Prelims and Finals.
• There will be food trucks located southwest of the stadium.
• Food Delivery: There will be a designated food delivery drop-off zone on Sherrod Drive, on the northeast corner of the picnic area. Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.