PA State Championship Expands for 2026

With the continued and future projected growth by participating bands in Pennsylvania, specifically in the central region of the state, USBands will be adding a third location for the Pennsylvania State Championships beginning in 2026.

Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg will join the rotation of Downingtown High School in Downingtown and Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove as the three sites hosting the 2026 PA State Championships. 

The multi-year State Championship strategy will look to rotate all of the group sizes between the three sites over the course of three years, with the exception of the competitive group sizes of the host bands. Downingtown will continue to host Group V Open, Upper Moreland will host IV Open and Central Dauphin will host II A for the coming year. All other group sizes will move between the three sites with a goal of balancing the number of bands, students and spectators at each location.

“In order to provide an improved Championship experience for Pennsylvania bands from across the state as it relates to overall logistics and a balanced competitive environment, while addressing the increasing demands of travel limitations, adding a third site in central PA was the next step in the development of service to our PA bands,” said Eric James, Director of USBands Event Operations.

The final group size scheduling will occur by Sept. 1 based on band participant numbers which are submitted after band camp and before Week 1 of the USBands regular season.