We may only be two weeks into the 2026 Winter Guard International season, but there's a lot of intrigue brewing already.

Everything You Need To Know About WGI 2026

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After our first big weekend of Guard, Percussion, and Winds action, here are the top 5 takeaways the FloMarching team gathered:

1. West Coast Percussion Ensembles Make Red-Hot Debuts

Despite the 2026 WGI season just starting, Pulse Percussion and RCC blew the door off the hinges this weekend by debuting with Finals scores that reached over 90 points in the PIW class. And not far behind, Chino Hill HS topped the PSW table by multiple points, while also earning a score that is only 0.4 points away from the coveted 90 point threshold. Game on. 

For full event results, click here

2. Juxtaposition Rockets to the Top of IW in Indy

The upward trajectory of Juxtaposition over the last five-ish years has been ridiculously entertaining to watch, and the 2026 season seems to be continuing the pattern. The ensemble's 2026 program titled, "Think Different" features Juxta's iconic preshow and leads into an impressive display of technique, dance elements, and a soundtrack that is reminiscent of recent Juxtaposition shows while being wholly unique. 

For full event results, click here

3. Unfinished Business  in Philly

Due to a massive snowstorm that hit the Northeast this weekend, the 2026 WGI Color Guard Philadelphia Regional+ was cut one day short, leaving the participating ensembles with only a Prelims performance under their belts. In spite of the truncated weekend, the competition was fierce with many classes having just a few tenths of points separating large swaths of the competitors.

For full event results, click here

4. Avon HS Is Back

In 2025, the Avon HS guard program opted to take a year off from competition. While the Scholastic World guard was on its hiatus, a handful of the members opted to continue performing with the Winds program for its gold medal 2025 production titled, "Raise the Roof." 

While fans can look forward to seeing the Avon HS guard and winds programs back in their elements, the time off seemed to do nothing but help the two programs improve. The Avon HS guard program earned the top spot at the Scholastic World table this weekend in Indianapolis, while the Avon HS winds program dominated in Winds Scholastic World.

For full event results, click here

For full event results, click here

5. The Battle for PIO in Orlando

One of the closest battles for first fans saw this weekend was in the Sunshine State. Infinity 3 and Siege Percussion duked it out for hop honors, with Infinity 3 ultimately taking first place. The margin, though? Razor thin, both in Prelims and in Finals. Even though these two ensembles won't meet again until WGI Percussion/Winds World Championships, this will be a fun head-to-head to keep track of throughout the season.

For full event results, click here