EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 just broke its attendance record. The event welcomed approximately 734,000 visitors from 98 countries to aviation’s premier gathering. Over seven days, which ended Sunday, July 26, the show eclipsed last year’s previous record of 704,000 attendees while also setting records for international participation, exhibitor presence, and fundraising.
Wittman Regional Airport handled the crush of traffic with 15,527 aircraft takeoffs and landings between noon CDT on July 16 and noon on July 27—averaging 101 operations per hour during open hours. More than 10,000 aircraft flew in, a clear sign that general aviation remains vital and that EAA’s showcase still draws crowds. The event is now in its 73rd edition since the organization’s founding in 1954.
The week brought significant aviation milestones beyond the head counts. On Saturday, July 25, Van’s Aircraft delivered an RV-12 to EAA lifetime member Tom Snow of Signal Mountain, Tennessee—a symbolic gesture recognizing general aviation’s continued growth and innovation.
Boeing Plaza showcased a lineup that reflected 250 years of American aviation heritage. The U.S. Air Force brought a B-52 Stratofortress escorted by the RAF Red Arrows in their first-ever Oshkosh appearance, alongside a C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III. Fighters filled the ramp too—F-16 Thunderbirds, F-35 Lightning IIs, and F-15 Eagles—sharing space with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress “Doc,” Southwest Airlines’ 737 MAX 8 “Independence One,” and NASA’s returning Super Guppy.
The Red Arrows, flying British-built Hawk T.1 trainers, performed throughout the week as part of AirVenture’s America 250 celebration. Their presence marked a rare transatlantic coordination. “There is no place else in the world where one can see a combination of noteworthy aircraft and people as you can on Boeing Plaza,” said EAA VP Rick Larsen.
The airfield itself held 2,851 showplanes across nine categories—1,346 vintage aircraft, 875 homebuilts, 360 warbirds, and smaller groups of ultralights, seaplanes, aerobatic planes, and helicopters. The venue hosted 1,021 commercial exhibitors, a record number, and delivered over 1,600 forums and workshops. A total of 849 credentialed media representatives from six continents covered the event. EAA’s social channels reached 30 million people with 17.1 million video views.
The Gathering, EAA Aviation Foundation’s Thursday evening gala, raised a record $2.85 million for aviation education programs—beating the previous $2.75 million from 2019. The semi-formal event drew more than 1,000 donors and aviation enthusiasts.
Supporting the event required serious logistics. Approximately 40,000 campers occupied the grounds throughout the week, while 6,000 volunteers logged nearly 300,000 hours. The event generated an estimated $257 million in regional economic impact across five counties, according to University of Wisconsin Oshkosh research.
EAA Chairman Jack Pelton told NBC 26 that planning for 2027 begins within the next month as the organization sifts through feedback. 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s transatlantic flight. Next year’s AirVenture runs July 26–August 1, 2027, and presents another shot at breaking these records.
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