2026 Melissa Marching Invitational

[dfwhorn]

The 2026 Melissa Marching Invitational will be held at CKD Stadium in Melissa on 9/26/2026

Confirmed Bands (11/26/2025) source: Melissa Band website.
Argyle HS
Celina HS
The Colony HS
Garland HS
Arlington James Martin HS
Hebron HS
Heritage HS
Highland Park HS
Lakeview Centennial HS
LD Bell HS
Lebanon Trail HS
Liberty HS
Little Elm HS
Lone Star HS
McKinney HS
Frisco Memorial HS
North Forney HS
Panther Creek HS
Wylie East HS

[dfwhorn]

Pretty interesting to see how there is a confirmed list of participants this early. Expect some people to drop but if it stays like how it is and more, this will be one of the contests to watch!

[Tubalord11]

Happy to see Hebron coming back, already a super strong lineup! 

[Tubalord11]

And LD Bell, holy cow, this one’s gotta super popular really fast

[BbMarching]

End of the list as always😂 lets go Wylie East

[flutelolbro]

Heritage has decided to go to the contest this early? I guess they believe they can be more successful next season considering they skipped this competition last year for Plano East. I guess we'll wait until next season starts to get some predictions.

[FormerWildcat]

Looks like all of the 4As [who didn't move up] are opting out as predicted. Interesting to see if another contest takes its place. Godley attracted a few area B bands on the same day this season, though the stadium seems a bit on the small side.

[wtxbd02]

Wild lineup for this far out!   Maybe only 2nd to the the Texas Marching Classic as the most insane non BOA/US Bands/State Entity Contest in the country.  

[anotherbandmom]

1 hour ago, wtxbd02 said:

Wild lineup for this far out!   Maybe only 2nd to the the Texas Marching Classic as the most insane non BOA/US Bands/State Entity Contest in the country.  

No kidding! I read the line up and immediately wondered if this one is streamed. 

.... is it? 👀

[BugWub24]

Melissa really came on to the scene and almost immediately took WMI's legs out from under them. Wylie needs to update their judging format (they were still on the old area format this season), or that will become a dying contest.

[Tubalord11]

5 hours ago, anotherbandmom said:

No kidding! I read the line up and immediately wondered if this one is streamed. 

.... is it? 👀

It hasn’t been so far but this is only the 4th one so maybe they will in the near future like HEB, would def got a lot of viewers for sure 

[TexasStrangers]

On 11/30/2025 at 12:50 AM, FormerWildcat said:

Looks like all of the 4As [who didn't move up] are opting out as predicted. Interesting to see if another contest takes its place. Godley attracted a few area B bands on the same day this season, though the stadium seems a bit on the small side.

I have heard a rumor from a couple of 4A bands that Melissa is thinking of having another contest for smaller bands (4A/3A/2A). Not sure how accurate that is or not. But if I was a 4A/3A there is no way I would go to Melissa any more with the contest the way it is. It's gotten bigger every year and if you are a band that is trying to compete at a high level you want to go to a place where you can get in 2 runs. The odds of a 4A or 3A making Finals at Melissa is slim to none now. 

[caravansolo181]

i wonder how well LD Bell will do here... this is a very interesting lineup and there are probably more bands to come, very excited for this contest next year!!

[Tubalord11]

8 minutes ago, caravansolo181 said:

i wonder how well LD Bell will do here... this is a very interesting lineup and there are probably more bands to come, very excited for this contest next year!!

Seeing how last season went, I expect big things, though, they had an amazing season in 23 and then 24 was not as good, so, as long as they maintain their momentum, I'd say at least right now top 3 would be Hebron, Lone Star and LD Bell. Yes, I do know that bands like Lebanon and Argyle beat Lone Star at state, but they are always super strong early season, and I don't see outside top 3, but yeah, I'd be shocked if they weren't top 3 here. 

[LakeviewCentennialMello]

during the 2025 marching season Lakeview Centennial and Rowlett had done Melissa and Mesquite marching contests on the same day, this led to the students being tired after Mesquite marching festival in the morning and Melissa in the evening. As long as LC doesn't have both competitions on the same day they will do great.