Projection. Order reflects Marching Index rankings as of October 16, 2026; UIL Area contests determine actual advancement.
Projected State slots: 5
Estimated Area field: 27 bands (projection). Basis: 27 bands qualified for this Area in 2025, adjusted to 27 for the 2026–28 UIL realignment; 17 2026 entries posted so far. UIL rule: in 3A, each Area certifies its top 3 bands to State; when 20 or more bands qualify for the Area, one band is certified for each five qualifiers. Bands meeting the UIL judges’ ranking rule also advance (not projected). UIL Marching Band Advancement and Ranking Procedures.
3A Area CPartially confirmed
Participating UIL regions: Region 3 (provisional), Region 4, Region 10 (provisional), Region 21 (provisional).
| # | School | UIL region / status | Verified 2026 results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edgewood (Edgewood) | Region 3 · Region pending | USBands North Texas Regional 74.3 |
| 2 | Mineola (Mineola) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/13/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 1st place (2025) |
| 3 | Redwater (Redwater) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/14/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 3rd place (2025) |
| 4 | Atlanta (Atlanta) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/14/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 4th place (2025) |
| 5 | Palmer (Palmer) | Region 3 · Region pending | USBands Midlothian Regional finals 67.4 |
| Projected State advancement line — top 5 (projection) | |||
| 6 | Queen City (Queen City) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/14/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State prelims, 15th place (2025) |
| 7 | Winnsboro (Winnsboro) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/14/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area C finals, 6th place (2025) |
| 8 | Quitman (Quitman) — Provisional | Region 4 · Region: Division 1 (10/14/2026) | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area C finals, 7th place (2025) |
| 9 | Grand Saline (Grand Saline) — Provisional | Region 3 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area C finals, 8th place (2025) |
| 10 | Anahuac (Anahuac) — Provisional | Region 10 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area C finals, 9th place (2025) |
| 11 | Commerce (Commerce) | Region 3 · Region pending | BOA North Texas Regional prelims 57.5 |
| 12 | Orangefield High (Orangefield) — Provisional | Region 10 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area C finals, 10th place (2025) |
Sources
- UIL Official Area Marching Contest entries, 2026 and 2025. https://www.texasmusicforms.com/areamarchrptuilpublic.asp
- UIL Area Marching Band Contest Information. uiltexas.org/music/marching-band/area
- UIL advancement procedures. uiltexas.org