NCPA 2026 Season Registration Requirements
Registration for NCPA’s 2026 season will start on Wednesday, October 8th at 12:00pm. In order to streamline the registration process for new directors or seasoned directors, we have listed out the Group Registration Requirements. Here, you’ll find links to sign-up as a NCPA Member or Non-Member, event registration, and the Participating Ensemble Master Agreement.
As a requirement for group registration, directors must review the 2026 NCPA Participant Handbook and circulate all information to the group’s performers, instructional staff, parent volunteers, and everyone associated with the group. Changes to the participant handbook were presented at the annual Summit meeting. Here is a summary of the changes to the Participant Handbook.
Performance order for regular season events is based on registration timestamp. NCPA recommends paying by credit card at registration to avoid delays.
Groups paying by check have 4 weeks or until the event registration deadline (whichever comes first) to submit payment, based on postmark date.
If fees aren’t paid in full within the time limit, the group loses its registration timestamp and placement is based on when payment is received.
Groups registering on the same day will receive the same timestamp and their performance order will be randomized for each show.
Championships order is seeded based on highest current-season score. Additionally, ensembles who have competed at an NCPA or WGI Regional in the current season will receive “1 bonus point” per NCPA performance or WGI preliminary performance. Only scores from NCPA and WGI events will be considered.
Any ensemble registered as a Regional A group that is registered for NCPA Championships must attend one of the first three shows of the season for proper classification evaluation.
Show registration fees are due within 4 weeks of registration or by the show deadline (3 weeks prior), whichever comes first.
Late payment results in “delinquent” status and loss of registration timestamp. Failure to pay by the deadline results in removal from the show.
Payments made after the payment deadline but before the registration deadline restores good standing, with a new timestamp based on the received payment date. If the show is full, the group will be played on the waitlist.
Full refund for regular season shows if withdrawn by Jan 1 or Feb 1 for Championships, including add-ons.
No refunds will be offered after these dates. Withdrawals must be submitted via the NCPA Event Withdrawal Form by a Group Administrator
Group equipment vehicles should not arrive more than 2.5 hours before the group’s performance time
One Video Pass and one Photo Pass will be given to each group. Persons with the Video and/or Photo Pass must enter and exit with the group they’re associated with. In order to safeguard the privacy of our performers, anyone with a Video Pass or Photo Pass caught recording/photographing another group will be asked to delete those files and be asked to leave. The group’s Video/Photo Pass privilege will be revoked for the rest of the season.
For regular season shows, retreat for groups performing before the meal break will happen during the meal break. Retreat for groups performing after the meal break will happen after the last group’s performance.
Cameras with interchangeable/detachable lenses and external flash (professional photography equipment) are prohibited. No lenses over 3” in length. No tripods or monopods, or selfie sticks. NCPA and the show host reserves the right to examine and prohibit the use of any camera that conflicts with the policy set by the event. Only those with a NCPA Photo Pass will be allowed to bring in prohibited photography equipment to photograph their group only.