sentences:  In 2013 a new selection process was introduced, under which the top three bands from five national regions (including community bands) compete in New York City.However, for the 25th anniversary of the competition in 2020, it was announced on “Acceptd”, the official application site, that the region system has been eliminated, and a total of eighteen bands will be selected.The disbanding of the regional system is stated as a one-year-only event, while the increase in the numbers of bands selected remains ambiguous with regards to its permanence.