The 2016 DCI season came to a climactic and dramatic conclusion tonight.

Capping off a remarkable season filled with historic firsts and unbelievable shows, Drum Corps International crowned a new champion.

The Bluecoats were able to hold off defending champions Blue Devils and 2013 champions Carolina Crown by scoring a 97.650 for their first World Championship in the corps history. They also won the caption award for Best General Effect (GE).

In front of another record crowd of 22,200 (paid attendance) the Bluecoats unloaded every ounce of energy into their revolutionary show, Down Side Up. The show known for its unusual uniform design, 3 miles of audio cables, isolated front ensemble set-up and X-Games like props gave the captivated audience one of the most treasured performances in drum corps history. It included one of the most exciting moments of performance awareness when trumpet soloist Shayne O'Brien casually fed the audience the follow-up wink they all were begging for from his impromptu wink during the prelims.

It wasn't like the Bluecoats needed any more GE moments, but it will be forever etched in drum corp lore. The fans from the front row all the way to top of Lucas Oil Stadium exploded to their feet with the wink and stayed on their feet until the end of the show.

The Blue Devils maintain their hold on 2nd to capture the silver medal with a score of 97.250. Entering finals night, the margin between BD and Carolina Crown was razor thin, but the 17-time world champion Blue Devils were able to hold off another charismatic performance by Crown.

Although Crown fell short of their championship goals, they did not go quietly. A stirring final performance of their show entitled, Relentless. Crown managed to add a lot of tension to audience members when scores and caption awards were being announced.

Carolina Crown managed to walk away with caption awards for Best Brass, Best Colorguard, and Best Visual Performance.

Not to be overshadowed was a moving performance by the Santa Clara Vanguard who finished 4th for the third time in the last four years. It also continued their streak of never finishing below 8th (2005).

The SCV Percussion section also captured another Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion. It is their 2nd drum title in 3 years and 12 titles over all.

Rebounding from last years 9th place finish, The Cavaliers overtook The Cadets in semifinals and held the 5th spot with a final score of 94.025. The Cavies, a long time fan favorite, got back to their visual roots and produced an amazing show filled with over the top signs and amazing drill.

The Cadets fell out of the top 5 for the first time since 1991 with a score of 92.763. Although the 2016 season may not have gone the way the corps had hoped, be sure to look out for a bounce back 2017 campaign for one of DCI's most decorated champions.

Coming in 7th with a final score of 90.738 the Blue Knights from Denver, CO. capped a wonderful season.

"I'd say this was the most persistent, mature, perform-with-fearless-passion, best corps we've ever had," Blue Knights executive director Mark Arnold told DCI.org. 

The Phantom Regiment (89.963), Blue Stars (89.050), and Crossmen (86.975) rounded out the top 10.

Making their finals debut, The Academy gave one final stunning performance of their show The Drum Corpse Bride. Fielding their first competitive corps in 2004, the corps quickly rose through the ranks in Div. II/III winning the Division II title. The 2016 marks another amazing run for the corps from Arizona finishing 11th with a score of 86.100.

Finishing 12th and extending their streak of consecutive finals appearances, the Boston Crusaders capped on an improbable run during Championship week. They entered finals week having finishing 13th in San Antonio and 15th in Atlanta.

With their finals streak on the line, the corps managed to turn things around and bump Madison Scouts out.