Fiesta Bowl Band Championship History

The nation’s top high school marching bands meet annually for a showdown in the desert at the Fiesta Bowl Band Championship. Thousands of enthusiastic spectators witness the excitement as bands from across the country travel to University of Phoenix Stadium to battle it out, armed with everything from trumpets to flags. The field show, which has developed into one of the most prestigious high school music events in the nation, features talented musicians and pageantry corps competing for the coveted Grand Master’s Trophy. 

A band selection committee, comprised of former marching band directors and Fiesta Bowl volunteers, invites the most talented and innovative marching bands to compete in the annual contest. The competition itself is judged by band directors from across the nation, all of whom have been honored for their involvement with active and competitive marching band programs. Judging criteria is based upon musical performance, visual presentation and overall general effect.

The idea of staging a band championship was first developed in 1973 by the Fiesta Bowl Board of Directors.  That year, 23 bands from across the nation and Arizona performed in the Parade and during pre-game and half-time festivities at the football classic. As the event grew in popularity, a new version of the championship evolved in 1978 involving a new format.  The formal contest was held at Scottsdale Municipal Stadium and 31 bands competed for trophies and prizes. The Band Championship continued to gain national recognition and still maintains this format.  The Band Championship reached a new level of prominence among national competitions when it was the first to be broadcast to a national audience in 1983. Thanks to the support of Fiesta Bowl volunteers and Band Championship sponsors, the event will continue to maintain its status as one of the nation’s premier marching band contests.