It's hard to believe that in what felt like the blink of an eye, the 2024 DCI season is close to its end. But before we can close out the season, some champions need to be crowned, including the 2024 DCI Open Class World Championship medalists. 

The showdown for Open Class gold will take place on August 5-6 in Marion, Indiana, and you can stream all the action LIVE on FloMarching. But before the competition starts, here's everything you need to know about the Open Class playing field this season ahead of Monday's Prelims competition:

Who Won In 2023?

In case fans need a refresher on the outcome of the 2023 DCI Open Class World Championship Finals, here's the breakdown:

1. Spartans - 82.263 🥇
2. Gold - 80.675 🥈
3. Southwind - 79.125 🥉
4. Columbians - 76.388
5. The Battalion - 75.475
6. Guardians - 72.688
7. River City Rhythm - 71.775
8. 7th Regiment - 71.313
9. Colt Cadets - 70.025
10. Raiders - 68.650
11. Les Stentors - 65.900

And here's an overview of the 2023 Open Class Caption Awards:

• Best Brass: Gold
• Best Visual: Spartans
• Best Color Guard: Spartans
• Best General Effect: Spartans
• Best Percussion: Spartans

This Year's Competitors

The lineup for the 2024 DCI Open Class World Championships is a bit different compared to 2023. Two noticeable differences: the inclusion of Blue Devils B back into the mix, and the sad exclusion of 2023 Bronze Medalist Southwind due to the corps no longer being active.

Another ensemble unfortunately not making it out to Marion this season: Guardians. The Texas-based ensemble announced earlier this season that it will shift to an abbreviated tour schedule and end its tour after DCI Mesquite, forgoing a trip to Open Class World Championships.

The rest of the competitive playing field will be a copy/paste of last season, down to an exhibition performance by Eclipse. 

Focal Points & Questions

• With a slight lead over Gold, can the Spartans hold on to their current first-place standing and win their first-ever back-to-back Open Class gold medals?
• Blue Devils B hasn't had a public competitive performance since the So Cal Classic: Open Class Pacific Championship Finals on July 14th in Cerritos, California. The next performance opportunity the ensemble will have? DCI Open Class World Championship Prelims.
• Interested in keeping tabs on some of your favorite Open Class ensembles ahead of Open Class Prelims? Here are a few shows to keep your eyes on:
  • Tournament of Drums | August 2 at 7pm CT
  • DCI Eastern Illinois | August 3 at 7:30pm CT
  • Drums on the Ohio | August 3 at 7:00pm CT

Current Standings

When taking a look at the Open Class standings, it's important to keep in mind that the touring schedule for Open Class typically has fewer stops... and we haven't seen a public performance from Blue Devils B since the So Cal Classic on July 14th. All that to say, there's reason to believe that these standings will change a good deal leading up to the Open Class World Championship Prelims on August 5th. 

Open Class Standings as of August 1 at 12:00pm ET

* indicates competitive season has ended

DCI Open Class World Championship Prelims Event Schedule

August 5 | Marion, IN

Start Time: 6:00pm ET

Event Schedule: TBD

Competing Ensembles Include:

• Colt Cadets
• River City Rhythm
• Spartans
• Gold
• Columbians
• The Battalion
• 7th Regiment
• Raiders
• Les Stentors
• Blue Devils B
• Eclipse (exhibition)

WATCH LIVE HERE

More Information | Rebroadcast Info