DCUK 2009 Championships return to Mansfield

The 30th DCUK Championships will return to Field Mill stadium in Mansfield. Due to unprecedented interest shown in this year's event, the original venue and home of last years championships (Northwich Victoria) was deemed too small to offer the anticipated numbers of fans and competitors the quality drum corps experience they expect.

The double-tiered West Stand at Field Mill has a capacity of 5,500 (compared to 1180 at Northwich) and the in-house and surrounding facilities are much more suited to the larger numbers expected to attend the 30th British Drum Corps Championships on Saturday 19th September 2009.

The original 2009 venue was booked almost 12 months in advance but when DCUK realised that it may not be adequate a working party was employed to visit and assess a number of potential alternative venues. "Field Mill was chosen not only because it had hosted three previous Championships but also because we were so excited by the stadium owner's enthusiasm and commitment to ensuring that this year's event will be a fantastic experience for everyone", explains MPA:UK's Alan Thompson.

"This news may not come as a big surprise to everyone as we have maintained close communication with all the corps of our intended plans", Chris Jones of DCUK explains. "We are acutely aware of the forward planning required when preparing for a championships and we are grateful to everyone for the positive way in which this situation has been handled. We hope those receiving this news for the first time will be equally understanding and excited by the changes we have introduced."

Although tickets will be able to be bought on the day, pre-allocated seating will be available via the DCUK Box Office (which will open on Monday 20th July) and 'premium Seats' will be offered in the upper tier for those wishing to bag the best seat in the house. Full details of ticket pricing and early booking incentives will be announced shortly.

A total of 20 corps have entered this year's Championships. 14 corps will compete in Open Class prelims (9th to 14th placed units will then compete in A Class Finals and the top eight corps will compete in Open Class Finals) plus 6 Junior Class corps will also compete. The Dagenham Crusaders Alumni Corps will be performing in exhibition on the day too.