Each year, Winter Guard International (WGI) announces the groups that have attained promotions by merit for the upcoming season. For 2019 in particular, 13 groups have been promoted from A to Open, while six have gone from Open into WGI's coveted World Class.

A number of groups that have been promoted are presented with the odd situation of having multiple groups in the same class—so it will be interesting to see what those organizations choose to do moving forward, and how they compete with one another.

Regardless, a promotion is a huge accomplishment for every group that will be competing in a new class in 2019.

A Class -> Open Class

• Independent
  • Pacificaires
  • Black Gold A
  • JMU Nuance Winterguard
  • Charles Towne Independent
  • Georgia State University Winterguard
  • *Pegasus A
• Scholastic
  • Leander HS
  • Marian Catholic HS
  • Decatur Central HS
  • Green Hope HS
  • Clovis HS
  • *Cumberland Valley HS
  • *Father Ryan HS

Open Class -> World Class

• Independent
  • UCF Pegasus Open
  • CGT Denton
  • The Brigadiers
• Scholastic
  • Park Vista HS
  • Plymouth-Canton Educational Park
  • El Dorado HS

*Promoted due to consistent success in A Class, has made WGI World Championship finals three seasons in a row.