Pasadena Tournament of Roses Announces 19 Bands for 2026 Parade

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association has selected 19 exceptional bands to perform in the 137th Rose Parade on January 1, 2026. The announcement, made on National Marching Band Day (March 4, 2025), features bands from across the United States and international groups from Japan and Mexico that will march along the iconic 5 1/2-mile route down Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards.

The lineup features bands from across the United States as well as international ensembles from Japan and Mexico, all performing under the parade theme “The Magic in Teamwork.”

Tournament of Roses President Mark Leavens has begun visiting each selected band to personally deliver the news, with reactions ranging “from pure joy to heartfelt tears and everything in between.”

“His genuine commitment to building relationships with these talented musicians shines through, reflecting the spirit of this year’s theme, ‘The Magic in Teamwork,'” the Tournament of Roses said in its statement.

Bands have already begun fundraising efforts to prepare for the event, with Leavens eager to “cheer them on as they work together and bring their collective talent to life on the road to the highly anticipated Rose Parade.”

The selected bands include eight high school bands, three collegiate bands, and several specialty bands. Two additional university bands will join the lineup in December when the teams competing in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 112th Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential are determined.

Bands from around the world will make their way to Pasadena to march down Orange Grove and Colorado boulevards, creating what organizers call “lifelong memories.”

Among the notable participants is the Allen Eagle Escadrille from Texas, one of the nation’s largest high school marching bands with approximately 600 members, which will be making its third Rose Parade appearance after previously marching in 2006 and 2016.

The Arcadia Apache Marching Band and Color Guard from Arcadia, California, will celebrate its 19th appearance in the parade, while the Homewood Patriot Band from Alabama will make its sixth appearance since first marching in 1984 as the first band from Alabama to participate in the Rose Parade.

International representation includes the Delfines Marching Band from Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, which has performed over 1,500 times across Mexico and completed 15 international tours. The Mino Jiyu Gakuen “Golden Bears” Green Band from Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan, will feature collaboration with the school’s championship-winning cheerleading team, which boasts 40 national titles and will serve as the color guard.

Several bands will mark significant milestones during their parade appearance. The Pride of Clover Marching Band from South Carolina will make its Rose Parade debut as its final performance before Clover High School splits into two schools in 2026.

The Bands of America Honor Band, directed by Richard Saucedo, will make history by including members representing each of the 50 United States.

The Band Directors Marching Band, featuring music educators from across the United States and Mexico, returns after first appearing in the 2022 Rose Parade. As Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser said, “You’ve not just created a band, you’ve created a movement!”

According to the Tournament of Roses, bands are selected by a committee of the Association’s volunteer members based on “musicianship, marching ability, and entertainment or special interest value.”

“With such incredible talent on display, it’s no surprise that community support for these performers is stronger than ever!” the announcement added.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization with 935 members who supply more than 80,000 volunteer hours to support America’s New Year Celebration.

Applications for bands interested in participating in the 2027 Rose Parade are now available on the Tournament of Roses website at https://tournamentofroses.com/about/apply/.