GROUP REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

NCPA requires groups to complete a series of requirements in order to perform at a NCPA show. All registration requirements can be found below. For more information on registration, please scroll down to our Registration FAQ.

NCPA Memberships - Link

All groups must sign up as a NCPA Member or Non-Member first before registering for events. Note that if you access this link after October 7th, 2026 at 12:00pm, you will also be able to register for events.

  • If you are registering a new group that has not participated in NCPA in the last 5 years, check “New Group?”

  • All groups that have participated in NCPA in the last 5 years are searchable by typing in your group’s name in the “Find Existing Group” text field.

  • Non-Member Price: $0

  • Member Price: $300

    • Five additional passes for every regular season show you attend, in addition to the 10 staff/volunteer passes already provided at each show. These can be used for additional staff members or for parents and support staff. As a reminder, everyone entering the arena must have a ticket or staff/spectator pass.

    • Two additional parking passes for every regular season show you attend, in addition to the three parking passes already provided to participating ensembles for each show.

    • Preferred critique times. NCPA Member groups will have the opportunity to sign-up for preferred critique times at shows.

    • 25% of each NCPA Membership will go towards the NCPA Scholarship Fund.

    • $100 discount when purchasing a NCPA Championships PLUS Pass

Event Registration

If your group is registered as a NCPA Member or Non-Member prior to October 7th, 12:00pm, then you can register for events within your group dashboard. For more information, click here.

If your group has not registered as a NCPA Member or Non-Member after October 7th, 12:00pm, then you can use this link to register as a Member or Non-Member and events.

***NEW*** The following changes for registration have been added to the 2027 Participant Handbook. Please make sure you review all changes to the 2027 Participant Handbook prior to registering for events.

  • The Bonus Point per NCPA performance or WGI preliminary performance for championships seeding has been removed.

  • Any ensemble registered as a Regional A group that is registered for NCPA Championships must attend one of the shows in February for proper classification evaluation. If the group is located more than 100 miles away from the location of a February show, then the group must submit a video of their most recent performance or run-through to the Ensemble Classification Committee by the Monday after Show #4.

  • 2027 NCPA Membership price is $300

  • 2027 NCPA Season Non-Championships Show is $300

  • 2027 Championships PLUS Pass is now $150/$250 (NCPA Member/Non-Member)

Participating Ensemble Master Agreement - Link

Each NCPA ensemble is required to have a Participating Ensemble Master Agreement on file prior to the start of the season. This agreement is designed to be a single, comprehensive document that covers items such as participant protection and safety, publicity rights, and liability. Please familiarize yourself with all the details of this agreement, including the requirement to review and share the 2027 NCPA Participant Handbook with everyone associated with your ensemble, including instructional staff and parents.

To download and submit the Master Agreement form, click here.

Registration FAQ

  • The registration cost for each “regular season” show is $300. Payment can be made at the time of registration, or via check if payment is received at least three weeks prior to the event. Payer is responsible for credit card processing fees.

  • Registration opens at noon PT, October 7th, 2026. Registration for each event closes three weeks prior to the show date, with final schedules made available on each respective show page shortly after each event’s registration closes.

  • Each NCPA show is designed to provide the best possible experience for the performers and their staff. Shows occur on Saturday, and include different panels of judges from all over the country, using a standardized judging criteria within the activity. Instead of traditional trophies, ensembles are rewarded with gift certificates and equipment from leading percussion companies. Raffles are sometimes held providing all competing groups with access to additional prize opportunities. Click here for more reasons to attend an NCPA show.

  • Performance order at all events except for NCPA Championships is determined by registration date, with the earliest registering ensembles in each class performing last. If multiple groups register the same day, there is a random draw to determine performance order among those ensembles for each show.
    Performance order for NCPA Championships is seeded based on highest current-season score. Only scores from NCPA and WGI events will be considered for seeding.
    Any ensembles attending championships as their first event will be ordered by registration date, latest first. The order for ensembles with the same seeded score, or registration date stamp if championships is their first event, will be randomized.

  • NCPA shows are open to marching percussion groups, concert percussion groups, as well as marching winds groups. Both scholastic and independent groups may register. Groups may self-select into 5 different levels: Jr, Regional A, A, Open, and World Class. There is no minimum show requirement or required preview show.

  • The registration cost for NCPA Championships is $450.

  • NCPA Championships will be held at UC Davis in the University Credit Union Center, in Davis, California. UCUC is a 6,000 seat NCAA Division I basketball arena. NCPA Championships offers a double-panel of top-notch judges from all over the country, a full awards retreat, and much more.

    Click here to see highlights from NCPA Championships 2026!

  • High-cam performance videos from NCPA Championships will be available to all groups one week after Championships.

  • The cost for NCPA Championships is higher for two main reasons:

    • NCPA incurs a significant fee to rent UCUC and the surrounding parking lots

    • There are twice as many judges as a “regular” season show. The full double panel significantly increases judges’ fees and travel, which are offset with the higher registration cost.

  • The double panel allows groups who only attend championships a fair read, regardless of performance order. Units will receive commentary and scores from eight judges, instead of the standard four judges. During annual NCPA Summit meetings this has routinely been one of the most sought after perks.

  • An NCPA Membership is a way to pre-pay for a number of NCPA benefits at a deep discount. The Membership Fee for 2027 is $200, the same cost as 2026. Benefits include:

    • Five additional passes for every show you attend – excluding NCPA Championships. This is in addition to the 10 staff/volunteer passes already provided. These can be used for additional staff members or for parents and support staff. As a reminder, everyone entering the arena must have a ticket or staff/spectator pass. (If you’re attending all 4 non-championships events this alone is around a $300 value!)

    • Two additional parking passes for every show you attend – excluding NCPA Championships. This is in addition to the three parking passes already provided to participating ensembles for each show. Vehicles without parking passes will park in spectator parking.

    • Preferred critique times. NCPA Member Groups will have the opportunity to sign-up for preferred critique times at shows.

    • 25% of each NCPA Membership will go towards the NCPA Scholarship Fund. More information to come in the coming months.

    • A $50 discount when purchasing a NCPA Championships PLUS Pass.

  • YES. This year we are offering a Championships PLUS pass for $250. This includes 5 additional staff/volunteer passes plus 2 additional parking passes. With the cost of admission to NCPA Championships estimated at $40, and the cost of parking near the stadium estimated at $20, purchasing the PLUS pass is a tremendous value at $250.

    If you purchase an NCPA Membership, the Championships PLUS pass is offered at a $100 discount, for only $150.

    Championships PLUS pass is purchasable during group registration, as an add-on. Groups will also be able to purchase a Championships PLUS Pass through our web store starting February 1st, 2027.

  • Registration will be completed using CompetitionSuite. In order to ensure show registration goes smoothly for your group, read the following instructions.

    • In order to register your group for events, you must have administrator access to your group. Please read this in order to find out how to gain access to your group.

    • After you have been granted administrator access to your group, you will need to register for a NCPA Membership or register as a NCPA Non-Member using this link. You will also have the option to purchase a Championships PLUS Pass at this time.

      • Groups registering as a NCPA Member or Non-Member after October 8th, 2025 at 12:00pm can also register for shows using this link.

    • Once you have registered for a NCPA Membership or registered as a NCPA Non-Member, you will be able to register for events starting on October 8th, 2025 at 12:00pm through your dashboard on CompetitionSuite.com. Please see this help document on how to register for events within your group dashboard.

    • Each group can only buy one (1) PLUS Pass.

    • When purchasing a NCPA Membership, PLUS Pass, or registering for an event, you can either use a credit card or mail NCPA a check. If you are mailing a check, choose Invoice when deciding on payment. Print out the Invoice and mail it along with the check to the address on the Invoice.

    • If you forget to purchase a PLUS Pass, you can make the purchase through our web store starting on February 1st, 2026.

    • Each ensemble must have a Participating Ensemble Master Agreement on file prior to the start of the season. Ensembles that do not have their agreement on file will not be allowed to compete at any NCPA event with no exceptions. Click here for more information.

    • If you have questions about CompetitionSuite, please email info@nc-pa.org.

  • Yes! An end of season survey will be sent to all participating groups at season’s end. An annual summit meeting will be held after the season with participation open to anyone wishing to attend. Topics will include shows, venues, judges, and the overall direction of the activity and the circuit.