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

• Buses will access Parking Lot C from Cherry Street (see Site Overview Map).
• Trucks will enter Parking Lot A, via Cesar E. Chavez Blvd at the specified time on the Prelims schedule (see Site Overview Map).
  • Trucks arriving prior to Lot Arrival Time specified on the prelims schedule, should report to the
    offsite holding lot, north of the stadium (See Parking Maps)
• 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

Parking Pass (PDF)

• Location: west side of Bus Parking Lot (Lot C); near the train tracks
• 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 been checked-in (typically 7:00 PM). There will be a BAND APP notification on Friday evening to communicate exact times.
  • Saturday bands are welcome to check-in on Friday.
• 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

• Due to the distance and logistics of entering the stadium, it is recommended for your students to arrive at the Alamodome IN UNIFORM, or to utilize your buses for changing.
• A limited number of port-a-lets will be available on the west side of the Bus Lot (Lot C), as well as in the truck lot (Lot A) near pit warm-up.

• 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 statio equipped with water horses and continuously flowing water.
• LOCATION: loading dock, near Pit Entry
• NOTE:
  • There are water fountains accessible in the warm-up rooms.
  • There is also a post-performance water station with cups on the concourse. Access this after your group photo.

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.

View the Alamodome clear bag policy.

BAND WARM-UP

• Separated areas for Band and Battery, Guard, and Pit Percussion
• LOCATION: indoors; 2 large meeting rooms – Enter the stadium via the Southwest Field Tunnel
  • All rooms have single door entries. Any equipment and personnel brought inside MUST go into the warm-up rooms – the hallways must remain clear. The indoor route to warm-up is 8′ high at its shortest point.
• 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.

COLOR GUARD

• LOCATION: outdoors on the North Plaza
  • Enter the stadium with your band, then continue past the warm-up rooms to use the Northwest Stairs to take them up to the plaza
  • After warm-up, proceed down the Northwest Stairs and meet your band. Enter the field on front, side 2
• Optional: indoor shared space on event level to be used for stretching, body, and spinning
  • THIS IS A NO TOSSING AREA.

BATTERY

• LOCATION: With the band in the Band Warm-Up Area
• Optional: Battery MAY warm-up in the Pit Percussion area XXXXXXXXXXX

PIT PERCUSSION

• LOCATION: Lot A, south of the stadium
• SURFACE: Paved Surfaces
• To assist with space in Lot A – once your pit equipment is unloaded, please move equipment to the warm-up area for setup and final equipment preparation.
• 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.
• Wireless systems may be tested during scheduled show breaks per rule 18.05 and 18.06 in the BOA
  Adjudication Handbook.

• A small repair kit and limited number of instruments will be available. If needed, seek assistance from MFA staff in warm-up or near the field.

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: Just before pre-set, we’ll move the band to the GOAL LINE. BOA staff will countdown the start of your 4 minute set-up time.

Take the Field: 4 minutes before show time, enter the field as rehearsed (drum taps, pre-show music, etc.). Short warm-ups are allowed within this time. All setup (props/staging) MUST be within these 4 minutes.

• Props: Rehearse field entry with prop movers for a smooth performance day. No extra time for prop movement/assembly.
• 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 – all props, personnel, and parents.

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

BAND, BATTERY AND COLOR GUARD FIELD ENTRY

• Front, Side 2
• Gate is 9′ high and 12′ wide
  • Students needed to move props should leave warm-up early, and backtrack to the loading dock to enter the field on back, side 1

PIT PERCUSSION FIELD ENTRY

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 13′ high and 18′ wide

PROP ENTRY

• Small props may come with the students and go into the warm-up areas. Items may not be left in the hallway. The indoor route to warm-up is 8′ high at its shortest point.
• Large props will stage outside, and be brought into the loading dock at the designated time (25 min prior to performance). Props will enter Back, Side 1
• Gate is 13′ high and 18′ wide

FIELD EXIT (ALL)

• Front, Side 1
• Gate is 13′ high and 18′ wide
• PRELIMS: Clear the field, and store props and pit percussion outside in the loading dock. Wind, Battery, and Color Guard should proceed into the stands with equipment and store equipment on the concourse. You will take your group photo and exit via the concourse.
  • During photos, pit crews, prop movers, etc. will be expected to continue moving directly back to the Truck Lot to prepare for reloading.
• FINALS: Everyone exits Front, Side 1 and proceeds up the ramp to return to their trucks.

• 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: Top of Section 113
• ROUTE: Field level, take stairs on field level
• AUDIO CONTROL AREA: Upper Level of the Pressbox  – Booth G
  • Elevator Level 4 access via the west elevators and follow signage to the booth.
  • Up to 2 credentialed staff members may be in the booth during YOUR BAND’S PERFORMANCE. Obtain the proper credential from Band Check-In.

• LOCATION: Judges will be located in the upper level of the pressbox.
• Adjudication Panel Biographies
• 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.
• 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 the Band Re-Entry gate (southeast corner – Gate 6, Plaza Level). 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.

• Outside food and beverage are NOT allowed to be brought into the stadium.
• Individual water jugs are allowed through the Band Re-Entry gates.
• PICNIC LOCATION: designated area in South end of Lot C
• The stadium will be cleared, and concessions will be closed during the dinner break between Prelims and Finals.
• Food Delivery: A designated drop-off location will be in the North End of Lot B, off of Cherry Street. (See Site Overview Map.) Bands getting food delivered should prepare to meet the drivers here and bring their food to the picnic area.