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

• All vehicles must display a BOA Parking pass at all times.
• There is no eating, warm-up, or stretching allowed in the parking lots
• BOA does NOT provide bus driver hospitality areas

PERFORMANCE PARKING

• • Enter the South Lot of Lucas Oil Stadium via Gate 10 off of McCarty Street
  • The earliest vehicles may enter is 2 hours prior to performance, as indicated on the prelims schedule
  • Vehicles must exit the South Lot 1 hour and 15 minutes after the start of your performance, unless otherwise indicated on the schedule
• BOA staff will be on hand to meet you and give your drivers parking instructions

NON-PERFORMANCE PARKING

• Parking while not in performance is available in the IFA Event Lot 650
  • Address: 542 Abbott Street, accessible from West Street
  • This is a short walk to the stadium – Band Re-entry is the South Gate

OVERNIGHT PARKING

• Overnight parking is NOT allowed in the South Lot of Lucas Oil Stadium
• Vehicles may park overnight in the IFA Event Lot 650,  at no charge
• Vehicles must depart the IFA Lot by 6:00 AM on Sunday morning

Friday Parking Pass (PDF)

Saturday Parking Pass (PDF)

• Location: inside southeast entrance on the main concourse
• Opens 30 minutes after the first parking lot arrival time. See Prelims Schedule.
  • On Friday, Band-Check-In will be open until all Friday bands have checked-in (typically 7:00 PM). There will be a BAND APP notification on Friday evening to communicate the exact closing time.
  • Saturday bands are welcome to check-in on Friday, if they are in town.
• Closes when the last band enters the SW Tunnel, per the 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: Concourse; accessible via Band Re-Entry – South Gate
  • NOTE: Student wristbands distributed at band check-in are required for stadium entry, even to use the restrooms.
• Limited number of portable restrooms will be available in the South Lot

• It is the responsibility of each band to ensure proper hydration of its members throughout the duration of the event.
•  Lucas Oil Stadium provides water stations and cups in and around all warm-up areas, and key staging locations (Missouri Street Dock, Band Exit, etc.)
• You may still bring in your own water jugs to event level.

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.

• There will be TWO points of entry for groups: Southwest Ramp and Missouri Street Loading Dock. 
• Each band has a specific report time to the top of the ramps per the performance schedule. Bands may NOT enter the tunnel before their scheduled report time or without BOA staff approval.
• REPORT TIMES FOR BOTH THE SOUTHWEST RAMP AND MISSOURI STREET DOCK OCCUR AT THE SAME TIME. Please be prepared to move in two separate groups. 
  • SOUTHWEST RAMP: Pit percussion MUST be in FRONT of the winds, percussion, and color guard as you report to the Southwest Ramp from the South Lot.
  • MISSOURI STREET LOADING DOCK: Large equipment and props not going to warm-up rooms will enter and stage in the loading dock.
    • Props will exit the South Lot via GATE 1 into the east lane closure on Missouri Street. You will proceed north in the closed lane until you reach the top of the Missouri Street Loading Dock. Proceed down the ramp.
    • Equipment and props should be fully assembled before moving into the lane closure and into the stadium. The staging area is small, and you will not have room to assemble. 
    • Equipment must enter prior to the next band’s scheduled entry or risk loss of priority in the flow.
    • If you have students assisting with the equipment who need to go to warm up, they may continue through the inner loading dock door and down the hall to the warm-up area. You must have parents stay with your equipment to continue it through the hallways in the staging process. 
• Performance Zone credentialed access is in effect at the bottom of the ramps in both locations. All adults entering the stadium must be credentialed appropriately.

WARM-UP – General

• LOCATION: Inside the stadium
• SURFACE:
  • Exhibit halls have 27’ high ceilings and concrete floors (shared space)
  • Optional music warm-up rooms have 15′ high ceilings and carpet (private)
• 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

BAND WARM-UP

• Each band starts with a 15-min Physical Warm-Up and then moves to a 30-min Music Warm-Up
• Exhibition halls are divided by curtains into 2 sections for Physical and Music Warm-Up

Physical Warm-Up

• Each band has 15 minutes for Physical Warm-Up 
• Space is limited – plan your activities accordingly
• Only handclaps will be allowed in Physical Warm-Up
• Due to sound bleed, the following are NOT permitted: Dr. Beats, Jam Blocks/woodblocks, instrument playing, drumming, long rangers/Megavoxes/loudspeakers, and recorded music 
• The band will then proceed to Music Warm-Up

Music Warm-Up – Two locations available

• Each group has TWO locations for Music Warm-Up: shared exhibit hall space and a private meeting room (separate from pit percussion room)
• Groups may choose to use any of their assigned music warm-up areas for any section of their ensemble during their designated time
• Music Warm-Up spaces may NOT be used during your Physical Warm-Up time 
• Your battery may warm-up in either of your assigned Music Warm-Up locations, but ONLY during your assigned Music Warm-Up times per the schedule 
• During Music Warm-Up you may use woodblocks or Jam Blocks only 
• Amplified Electronic devices will not be permitted in the exhibit halls

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: private meeting room
• SURFACE: carpet
• Carts used to transport equipment can NOT exceed 67″ in width at floor level. At 36″ from the ground, the narrowest point is 64″
• Battery may warm up with the pit percussion, but they must exit the room per the pit percussion schedule
• Pit percussion moves to the gate 15 minutes before band report time

WIRELESS SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONICS

• There can be no sound bleed into the performance area
• 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 are available. See warm-up staff to borrow a loaner instrument.

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 FIELD ENTRY – Northeast Tunnel

• Back, Side 1
• Gate is 10′ wide, with a 8′ height restriction

PIT PERCUSSION AND PROP FIELD ENTRY – Northwest Tunnel

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 15’ wide, with a 12′ height restriction
• This is shared with another band’s pit/props during your staging time
• Props/Equipment larger than 8′ tall and/or 10′ wide may NOT enter the field with the band at the Band Entrance Tunnel. They MUST enter with the Pit/Prop on Front, Side 1.

FIELD EXIT – Southwest Tunnel

• Front, Side 2
• Gate is 14’ wide, with a 12′ height restriction

• At the conclusion of your Prelims performance, bands will exit side 2, and take the field level stairs to the South end zone seating area for a group photo taken by Jolesch Enterprises. 
• Students with limited mobility should utilize the Family and Players Suite Elevator bank directly past Field Exit and take it up to Street Level. Upon exiting the elevator bank, go out the glass doors, and turn left. Pass through the pipe and drape and join your band in the Jolesch Photo Area. 
• Pit equipment and props should be taken out of the Southwest Tunnel by parents. 
  • Students responsible for props, guard, and other equipment will have a small area to drop equipment in the Southwest Tunnel so they can proceed up the stairs immediately to the band photo area. 
• Please note there is plenty of time to allow for full band, small group, and sectional photos prior to your Lot Departure Time. However, we encourage you to have color guard and percussion take small group photos first so that they may return to the tunnel to help clear any remaining equipment that has not exited. 
• Groups will exit the building on street level via the south doors.
  • Those needing to return to the field level to collect equipment should move to the southwest corner (section 132) and take the stairwell down to field level inside the Family and Players Suite Elevator bank.

• There will be 3 sets of hashmarks
• Professional field markings: white, 70’9″ from both sides. These are marked every yard.
  • Professional numbers (full) are marked every 10 yards.
• NCAA/Texas High School markings: yellow, 60’ from the front and back sidelines and 40’ apart.  These are marked every 5 yards.
• High School field markings: white, 53’4” from the front and back sidelines and 53’4” apart. These markings will be placed every yard.
  • Small dashes to indicate the top/bottom of the HS numbers are marked every 10 yards.
• Livestream microphones will be placed 1 foot outside the 15-foot line on the 35 and 50-yard lines

• LOCATION: lower level in section 139 (rows 22, 23, 24) near the 50-yard line
• ROUTE: Field level stairs

• LOCATION: Upper Suite 39 B
• ROUTE: Northwest elevators to Upper Suite Level. Turn RIGHT, and proceed down the hall to the sute. 
  
• This area is available ONLY for competing band staff DURING YOUR BAND’S PERFORMANCE to help direct and control audio levels.  
• Each band will be allotted up to TWO passes per band authorizing entry.
  • You must receive the proper credentials from Band Check-In.
  • If you are working with multiple bands, you must have the proper credentials for each band.
• You will be allowed into the suite ONLY when your band takes the field, and you must leave the area as your band is exiting the field.  
• Band staff who remain in the area outside of their allotted timeframe will be subject to a penalty.  

• LOCATION:
  • Visual judges will be located in the Upper Suite Level – above the Lucas Oil Stadium neon lights
  • Music Judges will be located in the Upper Suite Level – above the Lucas Oil Stadium neon lights
• 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 awards take place on Saturday afternoon. 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: Meeting Rooms 9/10 on event level (near front ensemble warm-up rooms)
• 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 – South Gate. 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 group, section, and field-level action photos and awards photos. See Site Overview Map for group photo location.

Ordering information is available online at joleschenterprises.com.

• There is no picnic area available at this event.
  • See below for Potbelly Catering information.
  • We recommend using the Circle Center Mall Food Court, Arts Garden, and local establishments.
• Outside food and beverage are NOT allowed to be brought into the stadium.
• The stadium will be cleared, and concessions will be closed during the dinner break between Prelims and Finals.

Music for All and Potbelly Sandwich Works have teamed up to offer participating bands low-cost, individual boxed meals to assist in meal plans for lunch or dinner on event day.

Contact – Megan Coss from Potbelly can provide quotes and order confirmations.
megan.coss@potbelly.com      Call: 847-954-7125

Easy Ordering – Order forms are available online HERE. Just complete the order form and send to Megan 10 days before event day.

Delivery – Potbelly will deliver your meals to your band’s point of contact on event day, at the show site.