Dayton to Host 2026 WGI Percussion and Winds World Championships

Fans can stream all the action on FloMarching as elite ensembles compete over four days

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:00am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a marching band performance broken down into overlapping planes of vivid blue, red, and yellow, capturing the energy and artistry of the WGI World Championships.The WGI World Championships bring the pinnacle of marching arts talent to Dayton, Ohio, in a kaleidoscopic display of musical precision and creative expression.Today in Dayton

The 2026 WGI Percussion and Winds World Championships are coming to Dayton, Ohio, with competition taking place from Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19. The event will feature scholastic and independent ensembles ranging from beginner to advanced levels, with preliminary rounds on Thursday, semifinals on Friday, and finals on Saturday and Sunday. Fans can stream all the action live on FloMarching.

Why it matters

The WGI World Championships are the pinnacle of competitive marching arts, showcasing the highest level of talent and skill in percussion and winds performance. Dayton has hosted the event for many years, cementing the city's reputation as the epicenter of this niche but passionate community.

The details

Competition will take place at several venues around the Dayton region, including the University of Dayton Arena, Wright State University's Nutter Center, Cintas Center at Xavier, Truist Arena at Northern Kentucky University, and Dayton Convention Center. Preliminary rounds are set for Thursday, followed by semifinals on Friday and finals on Saturday and Sunday.

  • The Percussion competition will take place from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18.
  • The Winds competition will take place from Saturday, April 18 to Sunday, April 19.
  • Competition will generally run from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET each day.

The players

Winter Guard International (WGI)

The non-profit organization that hosts the annual Percussion and Winds World Championships, as well as the Color Guard World Championships.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Fans can find the full competition schedules for Percussion and Winds on the WGI website, and tune in to FloMarching to stream all the action live.

The takeaway

Dayton's hosting of the prestigious WGI World Championships solidifies the city's status as the epicenter of the marching arts community, drawing top talent from across the country to compete at the highest level.