Four States Marching Classic Returns to Grim Stadium With Record 24 Bands

Texarkana ISD is hosting the 2026 Four States Marching Classic on Saturday, October 3, at Grim Stadium on the Texas High School campus — and this year’s competition is bigger than ever.

The Four States Marching Classic will bring together 24 marching bands representing Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, up from 15 participating bands in 2025. It marks the first time in several years that all four states in the region will be represented. The field includes 12 bands from Texas, 10 from Arkansas, one from Louisiana and one from Oklahoma, with Benton High School of Benton, Louisiana, returning to defend its 2025 Grand Championship.

Preliminary performances begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Texas High School’s Tiger Marching Band will close the preliminary competition with an exhibition performance at 4 p.m., featuring its 2026 UIL production, “Dystopia.” Following the preliminaries, judges will select the top 10 bands to advance to the finals. Preliminary awards are scheduled for 4:30 p.m., finalist performances begin at 6 p.m., and final awards are set for 9 p.m.

TISD Director of Bands Bass Deese said the event provides an opportunity to bring communities together while highlighting the talent and dedication of high school band students from throughout the region.

Admission is $10 for general admission, $5 for students age 18 and under, and free for children age 6 and under. Tickets will be available at the entry gate.

The 2026 Four States Marching Classic takes place at Texas High School’s Grim Stadium, located at Summerhill Road and West 12th Street in Texarkana, Texas.

Participating bands include Arkansas High, Bismarck, Benton, Daingerfield, Dierks, El Dorado, Foreman, Fouke, Genoa Central, Horatio, Hooks, Hope, Liberty-Eylau, Linden-Kildare, Marshall, Maud, Mt. Pleasant, Nashville, New Boston, Queen City, Tyler, Valliant and Waskom, with Texas High School’s Tiger Marching Band performing in exhibition.