This past weekend, the CWEA Executive Board met to discuss the 2026 season, focusing on ways to better serve our membership, reviewing proposals passed at the General Membership meeting, updating policies and procedures, and planning for the future success of our circuit.
As you prepare for the 2026 season, we encourage all directors and staff to review the updated Code of Conduct, By-Laws & Constitution, and Policy Manual to ensure compliance. Below are a few key changes to the CWEA Policy Manual we want to bring to your attention:
📌 Policy Updates for 2026
- 1.3.2 Entry Passes
Member groups will receive event passes based on their membership level: Standard Membership – seven passes, Deluxe Membership – nine passes, and Premium Membership – twelve passes. Non-member groups will receive seven event passes for each event they compete in. Event passes may only be issued to staff, chaperones, or bus drivers, and are not to be provided to spectators or individuals not directly associated with the performing group. Depending on the venue, these passes may be designated for backside seating only.
Wristbands will be provided for all members of a participating group (active performers, alternate performers, and/or injured performers). This does not include staff, volunteers, parents and/or chaperones, and other persons not considered performers at the discretion of CWEA. Any abuse of the entry passes policy could result in a penalty up to and including disqualification. Enforcement of this policy is at the discretion of the CWEA Contest Administrator in consultation with the Timing & Penalty judge.
- 3.5.3 Non-Member Group Classifications
Non-member groups may select the class in which they wish to compete relative to their current experience and ability but may not compete in Scholastic Regional AA.
- 3.5.8 Color Guard Championships Automatic Reclassification
The Top THREE scoring groups at Circuit Championships, regardless of round, from Scholastic Regional AA, Scholastic Regional A, Scholastic AAA, and Scholastic AA will automatically be reclassified up to the next class for the subsequent season. This change will be applied to color guard groups from the 2025 Circuit Championships and will be updated in Competition Suite prior to the 2026 Membership Registration.
- 4.1.7 Sound Policy (Color Guard Only)
All performance music for color guards must be submitted via Competition Suite no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Thursday preceding the event.
- 4.2.2 Qualification for Percussion and Winds Groups
After much discussion with the Executive Board and input from the Percussion and Winds Advisory Council, the Board has decided to remove the Premiere requirement for Percussion and Winds groups for the 2026 season. In order for Percussion and Winds groups to qualify for Circuit Championships they must meet the following criteria:
- Perform in at least three circuit events (no Premiere requirement).
- Groups may use a WGI Regional performance to substitute for one of their circuit event requirements.
🔗 Resources
Please keep in mind that the above list includes only a few of the updates in the Policy Manual. Directors and staff are responsible for being familiar with all policies in full. The updated 2026 Policy Manual, By-Laws & Constitution, and Code of Conduct can currently be found in the Resources section of Competition Suite (you can click the link on our website to be redirected: cweaindoor.org/resources-and-files/). We will also be updating the website so these documents can be accessed without logging into Competition Suite.
We appreciate your continued support and cooperation! More information on the 2026 event calendar and registration will be shared soon. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].
