EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 wrapped up Sunday, July 27 with a stunning 734,000 visitors — the highest attendance in the event’s 73-year history at Wittman Regional Airport. That shattered last year’s record of 704,000 and solidified Oshkosh’s place as aviation’s premier fly-in convention.
The numbers are staggering. Between July 16 and July 27, Wittman Regional Airport handled 15,527 aircraft operations — with an average of 101 sorties per hour. A total of 10,000 aircraft arrived during the week, with 2,851 showplanes parked on the ramp: 1,346 vintage aircraft, 875 homebuilts, 360 warbirds, 118 ultralights, 88 seaplanes, 40 aerobatic types, 18 rotorcraft, and six hot-air balloons. The event also drew a record 1,021 commercial exhibitors.
Red Arrows Make Historic Debut
But the real story was the Red Arrows. The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team made their first-ever appearance at Oshkosh after 62 years of flying precision displays worldwide. Flying their signature Hawk T.1 trainers, the nine-ship formation made their first flyover Wednesday, July 22, and performed full displays Friday through Sunday, July 24–26, including their crowd-stopping “Tornado” maneuver — two jets rolling around the formation as it bent in front of spectators.
Their visit was part of an extended U.S. tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Wing Commander Sasha Nash, the team’s Officer Commanding, explained the significance: “The Red Arrows are a team of dedicated, diligent and enthusiastic people who exemplify the ethos and values found across the Royal Air Force. Our dynamic shows and vibrant flypasts represent what can be achieved through teamwork — both in-the-air and on-the-ground.”
EAA VP Rick Larsen had watched this moment coming for years. “The Red Arrows have long been on the list of teams that aviation enthusiasts have wanted to see at Oshkosh,” he said. “The team’s extended U.S. tour schedule fortunately allowed them to include AirVenture on their itinerary.”
Powerhouse Military & Civilian Lineup
The military side packed serious firepower. The USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team, F-22 Raptor Demo, and USMC F-35B carried on the VTOL tradition as the legendary AV-8B Harrier retires this year. A USAF C-17 from Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii, a NORAD F-35A demonstration, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, and the Wisconsin National Guard combined arms display rounded out the military performers.
Civilian aerobatics brought its own magic. The TITAN Aerobatic Team, the Chuters parachute team led by Keith and Yvette Walter, and individual performers — Jerry “Jive” Kerby in the T-28 Trojan, Michael Goulian in the Extra 330SC, and Paul Bennett from Australia in the Wolf Pitts — kept spectators mesmerized. Austria’s Flying Bulls made their American public debut with a restored P-38 Lightning and DC-6, having flown the Atlantic via Iceland, Newfoundland, and Canada.
Nine air shows ran across the seven days, with night programs on July 22 and July 25 as part of the expanded Twilight Flight Fest. That featured STOL aircraft, drones, eVTOL, RC demonstrations, and balloon glows.
Record Fundraising & Looking Ahead
EAA’s Gathering fundraising event raised a record $2.85 million for aviation education programs. Yet CEO Jack Pelton kept the focus on mission, not metrics. “While it’s gratifying to see a record attendance total again this year, our goal each year is not to chase numbers but to showcase EAA’s community,” he said.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 is scheduled for July 26 through August 1, with 2028 set for July 24–30 and 2029 for July 23–29. Planning for next year begins within the month as organizers sift through attendee feedback and performer suggestions.
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