Projection. Order reflects Marching Index rankings as of October 16, 2026; UIL Area contests determine actual advancement.
Projected State slots: 5
Estimated Area field: 26 bands (projection). Basis: 26 bands qualified for this Area in 2025, adjusted to 26 for the 2026–28 UIL realignment; 1 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 EPartially confirmed
Participating UIL regions: Region 11, Region 12 (provisional), Region 14 (provisional), Region 28 (provisional).
| # | School | UIL region / status | Verified 2026 results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raymondville ECHS (Raymondville) — Provisional | Region 28 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 2nd place (2025) |
| 2 | Hondo (Hondo) — Provisional | Region 11 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 6th place (2025) |
| 3 | Cole (San Antonio) | Region 12 · Region pending | USBands Conn-Selmer Classic: Texas (Converse) finals 74.6 |
| 4 | Jourdanton (Jourdanton) — Provisional | Region 11 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State finals, 8th place (2025) |
| 5 | Poth (Poth) | Region 12 · Region pending | USBands Conn-Selmer Classic: Texas (Converse) prelims 73.4 |
| Projected State advancement line — top 5 (projection) | |||
| 6 | Lytle (Lytle) — Provisional | Region 11 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State prelims, 18th place (2025) |
| 7 | Santa Rosa (Santa Rosa) | Region 28 · Region pending | BOA South Texas Regional prelims 53.15 |
| 8 | Orange Grove (Orange Grove) — Provisional | Region 14 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL State prelims, 24th place (2025) |
| 9 | Rio Hondo (Rio Hondo) — Provisional | Region 28 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area E finals, 6th place (2025) |
| 10 | Santa Gertrudis (Kingsville) — Provisional | Region 14 · Region pending | Provisional — based on 2025 UIL results: UIL Area E finals, 7th 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