SPIRIT OF ATLANTA DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS RETURNS TO DCI FINALS COMPETITION

ATLANTA, GA – (August 8, 2026) 

Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps is proud to return to the DCI World Championship Finals competition as a finalist competing tonight in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

With a Friday night Semi Finals score of 88.763, Spirit takes the field in Finals

competition for the first time since 2013. This Saturday night performance is the peak of the 50th year anniversary for Spirit which began a year ago as the Spirit of Atlanta Alumni Corps brought Lucas Oil Stadium to their feet playing some of the most iconic songs from their past.

Spirit of Atlanta was founded in 1976 by legendary music educator, Freddy Martin. Martin assembled one of the most legendary instructional staffs in marching history. This team included brass legend Jim Ott and percussion virtuoso Tom Float, both DCI Hall of Fame members. The 2026 Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps is their living legacy.

Tonight, Spirit will take the field to perform their show, Golden Summer, for a packed stadium in celebration of their 50th anniversary. The members of the 2026 Corps are an incredibly special group of talented young adults that honor the legacy of every performing year of Spirit of Atlanta. The members and staff have truly embraced the show title of Golden Summer this year as we celebrate our love and nostalgia for summer, and all things Spirit.

“The strength of Spirit has always been our people; they are our family” says Corps Director Chris Moore. “Combined with the strength of our returning Corps veterans, this staff has the vision, creativity, and experience to make our 50th anniversary season unforgettable, and they have. Together with our members and volunteers who work tirelessly, some behind the scenes, some every day on tour, the effort to produce the show this year has been a labor of love all around. You can see it in the faces of the members during the show starting with the very first note of the fanfare, and if you glance down at the sidelines, you can see it in the faces of our educational staff and volunteers.”

Spirit of Atlanta is built to inspire our members, staff, volunteers, alumni, and fans. Please join the Spirit of Atlanta family tonight as we put the Delta where it belongs, back in competition on Saturday night at DCI Finals.