Red Arrows Set to Make Historic Oshkosh Debut — July 24–26 Performance Confirmed at EAA AirVenture

After decades of waiting, it’s finally happening. The RAF Red Arrows will make their long-awaited debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, a historic moment for the 73rd annual fly-in convention. The nine-ship aerobatic team is scheduled to perform during afternoon air shows on July 24–26, 2026, at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin, with additional public ground engagement planned throughout AirVenture week.

EAA leadership announced the news in mid-May, ending years of speculation among North American airshow enthusiasts about whether the Reds would ever come to Oshkosh. Rick Larsen, EAA Vice President of Communities & Member Programs, didn’t hold back: “The Red Arrows have long been on the list of teams aviation enthusiasts have wanted to see at Oshkosh. The team’s extended U.S. tour schedule fortunately allowed them to include AirVenture on their itinerary, adding them to the legendary flight demonstration teams that have flown at Oshkosh.”

Operation Eagle Hawk — America250 Tour

The Oshkosh appearance is part of Operation Eagle Hawk 2026, a Royal Air Force tour across the United States timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The Red Arrows kick off on July 4 in New York City during the International Aerial Review—an event featuring more than 100 American and allied aircraft alongside the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. From there, they visit Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore with flyovers near Washington, D.C., before heading to Wisconsin for their AirVenture performances and Thunder Over Michigan, before departing North America in late July.

Oshkosh serves as one of the Reds’ major airshow stops during the deployment.

The Display — Nine Hawks, Precision & Power

Visitors will see nine BAE Systems Hawk fast jets executing the team’s signature tight formation flying and dynamic solo aerobatics. The 2026 routine features the “Tornado” maneuver—a camera-friendly sequence where two jets roll around the formation as the nine-ship bends in front of the crowd—plus fresh additions the team reveals each season.

Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding of the RAF Aerobatic Team, spoke enthusiastically about the tour: “The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States. The tour celebrates and underlines the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and our closest security partner. An enormous amount of work continues to go into the planning for the visit, by teams in the UK and US, and we’re excited and honoured to bring our signature display of red, white and blue to some of the biggest, most well-known airshows and events this summer.”

The team consists of 11 pilots, nine of whom fly in the display formation, all with operational fast-jet experience from the Tornado, Typhoon, or Harrier. Behind them stands more than 100 support personnel and technicians. The team, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, England, has logged over 5,000 displays across 57 countries since its formation in 1965.

Oshkosh’s Expanded 2026 Lineup

The Red Arrows aren’t coming alone. The 2026 lineup already includes U.S. Air Force demonstration teams with the F-22 Raptor and F-16 Viper, the Red Bull Air Force, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, and Austria’s Flying Bulls with their P-38 Lightning and Douglas DC-6. More announcements are on the way—EAA has signaled that additional major performers will be confirmed as scheduling details finalize.

Afternoon air shows run daily at 2:15 p.m. CT (1:00 p.m. CT on Sunday). Evening performances by Covington Aircraft and Hartzell Propeller are scheduled for July 22 and July 25. The Red Arrows’ exact performance windows during the July 24–26 afternoon slots will be announced once final scheduling is locked in.

Tickets and lodging for EAA AirVenture 2026 are available through the EAA website. This marks the Red Arrows’ first North American appearance since their extensive 2019 eleven-week tour, which visited over 25 locations but notably skipped Oshkosh.