We're just about one week out from drum corps' biggest weekend: the 2019  DCI World Championships. This year's final three shows will again be streaming live from Lucas Oil  Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

With 36 corps performing next Thursday, we've pointed out the key match-ups to keep your eyes on, so you won't miss a second. 

The Spartans

Okay, this isn't technically a match-up. The Spartans have had an incredible season thus far and are poised to earn first place in DCI's Open Class this year. So what's to keep an eye on? Their placement at World Championship prelims and even semifinals. Since Open Class corps are judged on the same sheets, it's possible that the Spartans recent score of  76.15 will translate to them going head to head against Music City, Genesis, and even the Troopers. Will the Spartans hold their own against the world class? 

Music City & Genesis

If you haven't been paying attention to Music City and Genesis this summer, you've seriously been missing out. What started out the season as a massive 5 point gap at opposite ends of the country is now a 0.20 gap as of their last show together. In addition to competing against each other, they'll be fighting for their spots in semi-finals against the open class corps that are slowly creeping up the competitive rankings. 

Crossmen, Spirit of Atlanta, & Phantom Regiment

One of the most fought for spots in DCI is almost always that last finalist spot and this year is no different. Only 0.35 points separate the bottom from the top of this trio, and less than that could mean someone not taking the field on finals night. The Spirit of Atlanta is fighting to make their first finals appearance since 2013, which happens to be the last year that the Crossmen did not make finals. The Phantom Regiment is leading this pack at the moment with a late-season performance surge. They have made finals every season since 1974. 

Bluecoats & Blue Devils

With one week left to go, it's clear that not a single corps in this top three is letting off the gas and we're pushing forward to the finish line. Just .275 separates the current #1 Blue Devils from the Bluecoats as of last scores. But, when you average the last 3 scores, a mere 0.075 separates these top two! Regardless, fans will continue to be treated to two excellent shows with incredibly different styles until the very end.