The National High School Drill Team Championships stands as the world's premier showcase of drill and ceremony excellence. Beyond the championship team competitions, the Solo & Dual Exhibition events represent the pinnacle of individual drill artistry. Armed and Unarmed Exhibition drillers from across the nation converge to compete for one of the most coveted titles in high school JROTC—National Champion.
How to Enter
There are two ways to enter:
- • Option 1: If your JROTC program is attending the NHSDTC with a drill team or even Open Level Color Guard, your instructor can choose to also enter up to a maximum of 2 Solo & 2 Dual Armed Exhibition entries (if they are bringing an Armed team) or 2 Dual Unarmed Exhibition entries (if they are bringing an Unarmed team). Note: Schools are automatically granted one entry each. They must provide detailed background on the drillers should they wish to occupy a second competition slot.
- • Option 2: If your school/program is NOT attending the NHSDTC, we accept a limited number of individual entries into these events until all spots are filled.
Please review this page carefully to ensure you are eligible to compete.
Competition Eligibility
- • If your program is attending the Nationals and you are not assigned to one of the competition slots, you CANNOT compete as a separate entity.
- • If you attend a high school that has a JROTC program you MUST obtain written permission from the instructor that you are allowed to register on your own (SNI provides a specific form for this).
- • You must be of high school age to compete in this competition. If you have graduated high school, no matter your age, you may compete in the World Drill Championships (exclusively for post-high school drillers).
- • If you are under the age of 18, you must have a chaperone attend with you.
Event Details
Registration Begins
January 15th, 2026
May 2nd, 2026
Unarmed Dual Ex
Female/Mixed Solo & Dual Armed Ex
May 3rd, 2026
Armed Solo & Dual Ex
Ocean Center Arena
Daytona Beach, FL
Costs & Registration Process
This applies ONLY to those cadets registering to attend on their own and without a school attending
- • The button at the top of the page says Register Now and when clicked it will open up a pdf that you must first READ and then follow the steps to get Registered
- • Cadets should have both their instructor's and parent's information (names, email addresses and phone numbers)
- • The registration portal will guide you through entering all your information along with details about your instructor and parent information.
- • The form you will have to review and fill out allows you to register for up to TWO Solos and ONE Dual. You can enter all that information there.
- • Once you have completed entering your information and created a customer profile on MySchool AND after you have finished filling out your Registration Form - this is a fillable pdf - you can save it with your name and then email it to brie@thenationals.net. If for some reason you cannot use the online fillable pdf you can print out the pdf, fill it out by hand and then email the forms to the same email address.
- • WE WILL START REVIEWING REGISTRATIONS ON JANUARY 15TH. But you can start the process NOW. You DO NOT pay anything until after we have confirmed your entry has been accepted.
- • Registration fee is $75 per entry plus $25 package fee per cadet. (Example: 2 solo entries = $200, if those two want to do dual together, total would be $275)
- • The package fee will give every cadet a competition t-shirt, event medal and event patch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to have a parent register me for the event?
No. You can register yourself, but your parent/guardian must be listed as a primary or secondary contact point in your account so that SNI can communicate with them if needed.
Do I have to have my instructor's approval to compete?
Yes. You cannot compete without the school's JROTC instructor signing that they are ok with you attending. They can choose to either allow you to compete representing the school or to allow you to compete but NOT represent the school. Both of those options are listed on the form that we provide. You will need to print out this form and have the instructor sign it and you can then upload it to your myschool account.
Does my parent have to come to Daytona Beach with me?
No. But you do have to list who your chaperone is going to be while you are in Daytona Beach. Your chaperone must be over 21 years old.
What about hotels?
As a cadet entering on your own, it is up to you (or your parent or chaperone) to secure your hotel accommodations. SNI does not arrange for hotel rooms for Solo/Dual only cadets. If you would like a list of recommended properties, please click here.
What do I do upon arrival in Daytona Beach?
All competitors must come to the Ocean Center to complete Event Registration before you are allowed to compete. This is located in the Northeast corner of the Arena on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. You will receive your package items at this time.
When do I find out when I am competing?
The final schedule will be posted both in your myschool account as well as on this website about a week before the event.
Contact & Support
Headquarters
Sports Network International
388 Muddy Creek Lane
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
(800) 327-9311