CSBC Announces Division Expansion Fall 2026
The California State Band Championships is proud to announce a major evolution in our competitive structure — one that reflects the extraordinary growth of our participating programs and sets the stage for an even stronger future for the marching arts in California.
Beginning Fall 2026, CSBC will introduce a new Open tier within each existing division and expand our State Finals from 32 to 64 finalists.
CSBC Announcement Video
| WHAT'S CHANGING Each division will now feature two competitive tiers: • A Class — Designed for programs in earlier stages of development, with lower musical and visual demand, fewer drill sets, and a structure well-suited for programs with limited rehearsal time. • Open Class — Designed for programs pursuing advanced design sophistication, elevated musical demand, and greater performance complexity. Both tiers maintain identical performer count ranges. Programs will declare their tier at the start of each season and may move between tiers year to year. |
EXPANDED STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
This restructuring also transforms our State Finals. The new format advances 16 schools from each of four groups — Divisions 1–3A, Divisions 4–6A, Divisions 1–3 Open, and Divisions 4–6 Open — doubling the number of State Finalists from 32 to 64.
WHY THIS MATTERS
• Competitive Parity — Bands compete against programs with similar design ambition and resources, creating a more level playing field across all enrollment sizes.
• Broader Access to State Finals — Twice as many programs will experience the State Championships stage beginning in 2026.
• Artistic Pathways — The Open tier rewards innovation and advanced program design, while A Class ensures every program is recognized for excellence at their level.
Read the Full Explanation Document Here
Read our FAQ Section HERE
| We invite all directors to join us for a live informational webinar where CSBC leadership will walk through the new structure and answer your questions directly. |
| 📅 Saturday, March 21 - 8:00 AM 📅 Wednesday, March 25 - 6:00 PM |
The California State Band Championships continues to evolve alongside the programs we serve. This new structure reflects our commitment to innovation, education, and the future of the marching arts in California.
This is an exciting chapter for every program in California, and we look forward to seeing you at the webinars.
The next era of CSBC begins now!
CSBC Where Champions Play!
