West Chester University to Host International Marching Band Championships as Part of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2026

West Chester University to Host International Marching Band Championships as Part of America’s 250th Birthday Celebration

West Chester, PA — As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, West Chester University (WCU) will host an extraordinary international celebration of music, pageantry, and competition when the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) brings its 250th USA Championships to WCU’s John A. Farrell Stadium on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The event will feature marching bands from around the world, including representatives from Italy, Germany, Sweden, England, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Wisconsin, in a rare international competition that organizers describe as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a historic first for the region. Farrell Stadium is located at 855 S New Street, West Chester, PA 19383. For event schedule and ticket information visit  https://vivaceproductions.com/wamsb2026/. Tickets are expected to sell out.

Full Details: WC-Phil WAMSB 2026 Reelease May 11
CONTACT:
Christine Kozsuch
Associate Director, Communications
University Communications & Marketing
267-257-5866 (cell)

WAMSB USA 2026 – 250th Celebration

WAMSB is excited for the WAMSB USA National Championships being held in West Chester University. Bands from across America and the world are welcome to participate in this National event which also coincides with the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the USA. 

“International Bands participating the in the 2026 WAMSB World Championships may want to consider adding this to their plans,  as it happens the week before the World Championships in Mexico.  It would certainly give bands the unique opportunity to perform and compete at a world class level in two Nations in the same year.” said Chris Herard, President of WAMSB International.  

For more information, please use the contact us link on the WAMSB website.

 

The Host City Flag has officially landed in Jakarta, Indonesia during a Handover Ceremony for next year’s WAMSB World Championships for Marching Show Bands August 8 – 10, 2025.

Thank you to Jimmy Wong our International Coordinator to Asia for so carefully transporting the flag from this year’s hosts in Rastede, Germany to Jakarta, Indonesia!

See our Facebook post HERE

APPLY NOW – See you there!

PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES ** August 8 – 10, 2025

Many summer events in 2024!

WAMSB International is proud of the many sanctioned events occurring around the world, including many regional and international competitions, festivals and workshops.

The World Championships of Marching Show Bands will be held in Rastede, Germany in late June, followed by events in Poland and in Denmark, Malaysia and throughout Mexico, Central and South America.  

For more information, updates, photos and videos, please check our official social media page. 

https://www.facebook.com/WAMSB/

 

2026 WAMSB World Championships to be held in Mexico

-For Immediate Release-

WAMSB International is thrilled to announce the 2026 WAMSB World Championships are to be held in Oaxtepec, Mexico from July 9-12, 2026. The delegation from Mexico was present to hear the announcement at the WAMSB International Annual General Meeting held December 17, 2023. Registration will open later in 2024 and more information will be posted on the WAMSB website soon. Congratulations to the organizing committee on their successful bid to host.  It will be a very exciting event as it is the first time the World Championships will be held in Mexico.

The WAMSB World Championships are held each year in a different location around the world.  These Championships bring together bands from around the world in competition and in a spirit of connecting, sharing and celebrating.  The 2024 World Championships will be held this coming June in Rastede, Germany and the 2025 WAMSB World Championships will be held in late July 2025 in Indonesia.

For furthur information, please contact WAMSB International.

 

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