The beginning of the 2025 DCI season is finally here, releasing more than 9 months of anticipation since we watched the Bluecoats walk off the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium with their second-ever Drum Corps International Founder's trophy.

Starting on Friday, June 27 and continuing through August 9, drum corps fans won't have to go more than three days without being able to catch a DCI live stream or rebroadcast on FloMarching.

• What's Playing on FloMarching Radio This Week, June 23 - 29
  
• Watch the 2025 DCI Summer Tour Live on FloMarching
• A Complete List Of All Drum Corps International (DCI) Champions
  
• PRESEASON DEEP DIVE: 10 Things You NEED To Know About the 2025 DCI Season

Spring training has come to a close and that means the corps have most of their shows on the field, uniforms pressed and fitted, and it's time for the first performances in front of fans—one of my favorite parts of the season.

Read more below about why you should tune in to watch the early shows of this 2025 DCI summer tour.

DCI 2025 Goes Live This Weekend: Here's Why You Should Watch

First Weekend To Set Stage After Highly Competitive Finals In 2024

In 2024, DCI fans were treated to one of the most competitive seasons up and down the ranks. Near the top of the order, the Bluecoats earned the gold, while the Boston Crusaders continued to solidify their spot amongst the top echelon of the activity with silver.

Bluecoats haven't placed lower than third since 2014, except for a 5th place in 2017. All eyes will be on the group out of northeast Ohio as they reveal their show at the Bluecoats Opening Night—streaming live for the second year on FloMarching on Saturday, June 28.

Performing in a never-before-broadcasted event, also a scoreless "preview showcase" format on FloMarching, the Santa Clara Vanguard, opened the season on Friday, June 27.

The 21-time DCI Champion Blue Devils took the bronze last year, which will no doubt energize them to come out swinging this weekend. They are set to debut their production "Variations on a Gathering" alongside the Boston Crusaders, Troopers, Colts, and more in Fort Collins, Colorado at the 2025 Drums Along the Rockies.

To round out the top five corps from 2024, Phantom Regiment and Carolina Crown performed their shows in front of a very receptive drum corps audience in Muncie at the non-judged DCI Tour Preview. The Cavaliers opened that event with their production "Shape|Shift", making it a must-see to kickstart the season.

It will be interesting to see the difference in energy and execution between these early season showcase events and their first scored performances as they work out the jitters.

The Dirt Is Normal, Embrace It

As some of the country's best marching musicians, color guard performers, and percussionists combine their skills under the umbrella of each corps, there are going to be growing pains as they get more comfortable with their shows.

No matter where a corps finished last year or for the last ten years, each corps' design and instructional team are looking for ways to keep the performers at the edge of their skill level every year. This can create a situation in that you may hear or see less clarity in the music, drill, or choreography. And that's okay. 

That's what makes this activity so enjoyable to watch—the challenge. It's also important to remember that no corps is the same every year. Members age-out, staff adjustments are made, and new members are drawn in from all corners of the country.

In almost all cases, if you watch all season long, you'll be able to see the performers master those difficult moments. 

Buckle up—although the summer tour is shorter than it used to be, it's still a marathon, not a sprint.

As the season goes along, the performers' stamina, skill level, and cohesion amongst each other will continue to rise. By the end of the season, I can guarantee that they'll all be making it look and sound easy.

This Is The Beginning Of The End For Many... Performers

As we start another season, it's hard not to think about those who are taking the field for the first time, one last time.

There is a special allure to DCI in that you are unable to continue participating once you reach a certain age. For the 21 year olds (or lucky 22 year olds) performing in a corps, this will be their last, first time taking the field.

For some, the "rook-out" as it's called, it may be their first and last season marching in a junior corps.

Make sure you cheer extra loud for those out there experiencing their "last time" for the next 40 days straight.

How To Watch DCI 2025 Live Streams

All live streaming for the 2025 DCI season can be found exclusively on FloMarching and the FloSports app. Subscribe here.

Missed a show? No problem. Every streamed DCI event during the 2025 season will have a Rebroadcast airing the following day.

DCI 2025 Streaming Schedule

Here's a list of all of the DCI 2025 events you can stream live on FloMarching this summer:

• June 27 | Santa Clara Vanguard Showcase
• June 27 | DCI Tour Preview
• June 28 | Bluecoats Opening Night Community Celebration
• June 28 | Drums Along the Rockies
• July 3 | Northwest Youth Music Games Portland
• July 5 | The Whitewater Classic
• July 6 | DCI West
• July 8 | The Kiwanis Thunder of Drums
• July 9 | Gold Showcase
• July 11 | Western Corps Connection
• July 12 | DCI Little Rock
• July 12 | Drum Corps Grand Prix
• July 13 | So Cal Classic: Open Class Pacific Championship Finals
• July 15 | DCI Broken Arrow
• July 17 | DCI Denton
• July 17 | DCI Waco
• July 18 | DCI Houston
• July 19 | DCI Southwestern Championship pres. by Fred J Miller
• July 21 | DCI McKinney
• July 23 | DCI Northern Ohio
• July 25 | DCI Nashville presented by Demoulin Bros. & Co.
• July 26 | DCI Southeastern Championship
• July 26 | Midwest Classic
• July 28 | Summer Music Games in Cincinnati
• July 29 | Soaring Sounds
• July 30 | Summer Music Games of Southwest Virginia
• August 1-2 | DCI Eastern Classic
• August 2 | DCI Williamsport
• August 4-5 | DCI Open Class Championship
• August 4 | Innovations in Brass
• August 7-9 | DCI World Championships
• August 8-9 | DCI All-Age World Championships
• August 9 | SoundSport International Music & Food Festival pres. by Jazz Wealth

Join the Conversation on Social

Follow us on Twitter @FloMarching.

Follow us on Instagram @flomarching.

Like us on Facebook.