The Auburn University Marching Band has always been a point of pride for the Auburn family, a symbol of excellence, precision, and tradition that dates back more than a century. But now, it’s official: the Auburn Tigers Marching Band has been crowned the World’s Best by ESPN in a historic global ranking that sent shockwaves through collegiate and professional band circuits alike.
For the first time ever, ESPN collaborated with an international panel of experts—including former band directors, orchestral conductors, music critics, sports journalists, and even select NFL halftime show producers—to compile a comprehensive global ranking of marching bands. They evaluated performance quality, musicality, innovation, discipline, impact on fan engagement, and tradition. Bands from all corners of the globe—from Japan’s Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra Marching Unit to the British Royal Marines Band Service—were considered. And yet, standing at the summit of them all was a spirited group of over 380 students from Alabama: the Auburn Tigers Marching Band.
To many in the South, this may come as no surprise. The band has long been known as one of the most electrifying and precise ensembles in college athletics. But this international recognition is the culmination of years—no, decades—of painstaking attention to detail, tireless preparation, and deep-rooted tradition. Auburn didn’t just win on talent; it won on soul.
Founded in 1897, the Auburn University Marching Band (AUMB) has steadily grown from a modest military-style ensemble into a massive, powerhouse institution that commands national attention every Saturday in the fall. Under the direction of Dr. Corey Spurlin since 2007, the AUMB has transformed its halftime performances into must-watch events. Combining jaw-dropping formations, seamless transitions, flawless musical execution, and emotionally resonant themes, Auburn’s performances have gone viral on social media, trended on YouTube, and captivated live audiences of over 85,000 in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
But it wasn’t always this way.
In the early 2000s, the AUMB was well respected but often overshadowed by larger programs with bigger budgets or flashier reputations. Programs like Ohio State’s “Best Damn Band in the Land” or USC’s “Spirit of Troy” drew national headlines with animated halftime shows and appearances at the Rose Bowl or Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Auburn remained true to its roots, relying on tight formations, musical excellence, and school pride. It was that commitment to core values that would ultimately propel Auburn to global stardom.
When ESPN’s “Battle of the Bands: Global Edition” began forming last fall, the network dispatched crews to collect and analyze over 400 hours of footage from band performances around the world. They attended college football games, international competitions, parades, and ceremonial displays. They consulted with judges from the DCI (Drum Corps International), professional symphonies, and national conservatories.
What stood out most about Auburn, according to the report, was its “unmatched combination of technical mastery, cultural resonance, and unbreakable connection to its community.” The network called the Auburn band “a living embodiment of what a marching band can be when spirit, art, and precision are fused at the highest level.”
The announcement of Auburn’s No. 1 ranking triggered an outpouring of pride from students, alumni, and fans around the world. “I just burst into tears,” said Shelby Carter, a former piccolo player from the class of 2014. “We’ve always known what we had here at Auburn. But now the whole world knows.”
Inside the band room, located within the Goodwin Music Building on campus, emotions ran high. Dr. Spurlin, always composed and measured, allowed himself a rare moment of visible emotion. “This is a testament to the heart and hard work of every student who has ever worn this uniform. We do this for Auburn, for each other, and for the tradition we uphold.”
That tradition includes waking up before sunrise for practice on game days, enduring triple-digit temperatures during two-a-day rehearsals in August, and mastering complex shows that often require months of preparation. The band learns three to five new shows every season, which is almost unheard of at the Division I level. That level of commitment paid off in front of a global panel.
Auburn’s 2024 halftime performances included tributes to the 50th anniversary of hip hop, a symphonic rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour,” and an emotionally charged show titled “Voices of the Plains,” which incorporated narration from Auburn history professors and archival audio of famed Auburn legends like Pat Dye and Bo Jackson. That final performance, aired live on CBS before the Iron Bowl, was cited in the ESPN report as “the most stirring halftime display of the season, and perhaps of the decade.”
Drum Major Kennedy James, a senior music education major, recalled the moment she first heard the news. “I was sitting in class when my phone started blowing up. Group chats, Twitter, everything. I called my mom crying. We give so much to this band—not for awards, but for the love of Auburn. This just makes it all so worth it.”
The band’s impact extends far beyond Jordan-Hare Stadium. Each year, the AUMB performs at parades, community events, and high school band competitions throughout the South. They serve as ambassadors of Auburn spirit and often inspire younger musicians to pursue higher education through music. “I joined band because of Auburn,” said high school senior Trey McMillan, who attended the band’s summer camp last year. “It wasn’t just the sound—it was how they made you feel.”
That emotional connection, say ESPN judges, was a decisive factor in their ranking. “Other bands may dazzle you with gimmicks,” one panelist wrote, “but Auburn moves you. They make you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.”
In the wake of the announcement, Auburn University President Dr. Christopher B. Roberts released a statement applauding the band’s achievement. “This recognition is a reflection of the dedication, excellence, and passion of our students and faculty. The Auburn University Marching Band represents the very best of our institution, and we are immensely proud.”
Even rival SEC programs offered begrudging respect. “We may battle on the field,” tweeted the Alabama Crimson Tide’s band director, “but we tip our hats today. Congrats to Auburn on a well-earned honor.”
The international community responded just as enthusiastically. The University of Tokyo offered an official congratulations in Japanese and English on its website. The famed Basel Tattoo in Switzerland extended an open invitation for Auburn to perform at next year’s festival. And perhaps most astonishingly, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra issued a congratulatory video, calling the band “a triumph of American musical excellence.”
As the band now prepares for the 2025 season, expectations have never been higher. Plans are already underway to commemorate the honor with a celebratory concert, new uniforms bearing the “World’s Best” title, and possibly an international tour. “We want to bring Auburn to the world,” said assistant director Dr. Nicole Riggins. “They’ve seen us on screens. Now they can hear us live.”
There’s also talk of ESPN turning the ranking into an annual event, with Auburn serving as the inaugural titleholder. “We’re proud to set the standard,” said trumpet section leader Jacob Wallace. “But we’re not resting. Being No. 1 means we work even harder.”
For the students, alumni, and fans who have marched, cheered, and bled orange and blue, the news is more than just a trophy. It’s validation for decades of relentless work. It’s a reminder that heart matters just as much as skill. It’s the world finally recognizing what the Auburn Family has always known.
Because in Auburn, the band doesn’t just play music—it creates moments. It inspires generations. And now, it leads the world.
So, as the drumline echoes through Samford Lawn and the fight song bounces down College Street, Auburn’s legacy rings louder than ever. Not just champions of spirit, not just icons of tradition—but officially, undeniably, the best in the world.
War Eagle.