Cardinal Stadium to host BOA Regional


Feb. 25, 2019 at 5:05 p.m. CT

Cardinal Stadium to host BOA Regional

By Jeremiah Wooten

Bands of America has confirmed the University of Louisville Cardinal Stadium as the site of the Sept. 21 regional to be held in the Kentucky/Tennessee region. The regional had been held at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, for the past four years.

Castle performs at the Grand National Championships on Nov. 10, 2018. The band earned its first-ever regional champion title at the 2014 Louisville Regional. // Photo by Jeremiah Wooten.
Cardinal Stadium (Formerly Papa John's Cardinal Stadium) is no stranger to BOA events, having hosted nine previous regional championships, including one that was cancelled because of hazardous weather. Most recently, Cardinal Stadium hosted the 2014 Louisville Regional, at which Castle earned their first-ever regional champion title.

The University of Louisville stadium has a seating capacity nearly six-times that of Austin Peay. That adds up to a higher vantage point for judges, and more available seating for fans closer to the 50, as well as more expansive parking availability for both competing bands and their fans.

While enrolled bands lists won't be released until late April, the change of venue could attract more bands from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, states that already have many regionals and super regionals in close proximity. Alternatively, the change will likely draw fewer bands from Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi, states that are already facing limited access to BOA events this season by the discontinuation of the regional in Jacksonville, Alabama.