In the best interest of young performers and instructors in our activity, the following media policies have been implemented for all WGI regional and World Championship events.
** All parties must also adhere to local venue regulations regarding entry. Please check your venue for any restrictions on bags, cameras, or other recording equipment prior to arrival. **
Photo Policy For Regionals
A media credential is not required to photograph at our events, but participants must follow the photography policies listed below.
As safety is paramount to all performers, any type of flash photography is strictly prohibited at all regional events. Family, friends, and fans may only take photos for personal use, and the images may not be publicly sold without explicit permission from WGI.
For Groups:
If your group has a photographer, they must have a wristband to enter the performance venue. They can purchase a front-side wristband at the spectator entrance or request a wristband from their group’s director.
With the director’s permission, they can follow the group through the event flow and capture photos until they get to the performance floor. Once the group is on the floor, your photographer must sit in the stands to gather photos. Keep in mind that all regionals are general admission events, and there is no reserved seating for your group photographers.
No portable accessories, including tripods, stands, or other equipment-stabilizing devices, will be permitted in the competition venue. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the event.
Photo Policy For World Championships
A media credential is not required to photograph at World Championships. Anyone photographing your group must follow the photography policies listed below.
As safety is paramount to all performers, any type of flash photography is strictly prohibited at all WGI events. Family, friends, and fans may only take photos for personal use, and the images may not be publicly sold without explicit permission from Winter Guard International.
For Groups:
If your group has a photographer, they must have a wristband (either provided by the group director or purchased at the spectator entrance) to enter the performance venue. With the director’s permission, they can choose to follow the group through the event flow and capture photos until they get to the performance floor. Once the group is on the floor, your photographer must sit in the stands to gather photos.
All photos should be taken from a general admission seat in the arena on Thursday and Friday only. If they wish to take photos during our reserved-seat finalist events, they must either purchase a ticket for a seat in the audience or sit in the staff/tarp crew viewing areas (only permitted during your group’s performance time).
There is no floor access for any photographers during retreat ceremonies. All photos must be gathered from a seat. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the event.
No portable accessories, including tripods, stands, or other equipment-stabilizing devices, will be permitted in the competition venue. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the event.
Video Policy for All Events
WGI has a no-recording policy for all events. Any liability associated with unauthorized recordings will rest with the individual or organization making the recording. In accordance with our FloMarching partnership, any publicly distributed videos are in violation of contract and liable for copyright infringement.
No auxiliary recording accessories are allowed in the arena that inhibit the view of spectators in a seating area (boom mics, tripods, shoulder mounts, lighting, etc..) use of these items may result in dismissal from the venue.
Media Credential Policy:
Any parties interested in capturing video footage at our events must Submit an Application for a WGI Media Credential. Accepted applicants must follow all procedures provided by WGI and adhere to organizational standards.
In the form, you must provide information about the organization you represent. All applicants must currently be employed or on assignment by the organization they are representing.
An office representative will contact you following your submission to update you on your application status.
Once your application is verified and approved, WGI will arrange for the Media Credential to be mailed or picked up on-site. This credential gets you in the door but does not guarantee you a seat at any WGI event, nor does it allow access to any restricted areas.
If you have any questions about WGI’s media policies or Media Credential application, please email Brent@wgi.org.
News Outlets at World Championships
If you are submitting a request for a media credential on behalf of a local news outlet, please specify so in your application and contact brent@wgi.org to confirm your submission. Credentials will be available on-site to pick up at UD Arena each week of our World Championships events.
