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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh voted Best Air Show in USA Today

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EAA AirVenture Oshkosh voted Best Air Show in USA Today 10Best national poll

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 7, 2026) — The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration is living up to its moniker, as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this week received the title of “2026 Best Air Show” in online voting during the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“Every year, our team strives to make EAA AirVenture an experience unlike any other aviation event in the world,” says Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This recognition reflects how what we call ‘Aviation’s Family Reunion’ creates an event that brings together aircraft and people in a way that is unmatched anywhere in the world. It’s a credit to our people, including the thousands of volunteers that make EAA AirVenture possible.”

EAA AirVenture 2025 saw a record-breaking total attendance of 704,000 from more than 90 countries. More than 10,000 aircraft flew into Wittman Regional Airport to experience the event headlined by two Goodyear Blimps, and a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.

Nominees for USA Today 10Best awards are compiled by a panel of industry experts and 10Best editors. The nominees are then presented to the public to vote for the winner over a month-long period that ended in late April. AirVenture previously was voted the Best Air Show in 2016.

The recognition also comes during National Travel and Tourism Week (May 3-9), which “recognizes the essential role travel plays in powering our economy, strengthening communities and connecting America.” An independent University of Wisconsin Oshkosh study in 2025 estimated AirVenture’s annual economic impact at $257 million for the immediate Fox Valley region of Wisconsin.

Tickets for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 are available now. Features and attractions already confirmed for the event include a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, The USAF F-16 and F-22 demo teams, and a P-38 and DC-6 from The Flying Bulls aircraft from Austria.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

Tickets now on sale for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Tickets now on sale for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 – ‘The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration’

Experimental Aircraft Association’s 73rd annual fly-in convention is July 20-26

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 5, 2025) — Advance tickets are now on sale for the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in convention, which will be held July 20-26, 2026. The 73rd edition of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association takes place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

“As the excitement builds for the world of flight returning to Oshkosh in 2026, we wanted to ensure that advance tickets are available for those who enjoy giving AirVenture tickets as holiday gifts,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Even at this time of year, aviation enthusiasts around the world are planning for their own AirVenture experience and sharing photos, videos, and memories of past trips to Oshkosh.”

EAA AirVenture 2026 programming plans are already underway, with more details on specific aircraft, events, and personalities will be announced as they are confirmed. EAA officials will also be present at this month’s International Council of Air Shows convention to solidify the air show lineup for 2026.

Along with AirVenture admissions, other items available for advance purchase include camping credentials, auto parking passes, and Aviator Club tickets (both North and South locations), as well as B-25 and Ford Tri-Motor flights. A special “Oshkosh Bound” T-shirt is also available for those already planning their journeys to AirVenture, as well as a unique way to gift wrap those holiday AirVenture passes. All advance purchase items are available at EAA.org/Tickets.

In 2025, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh saw a record attendance of 704,000 from 94 nations.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/AirVenture. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2025 SETS RECORDS!

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EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2025

RECORDS SET AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

Comment from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton:

  • “Our theme of ‘One Week – Endless Possibilities’ certainly was true at Oshkosh in 2025. Whether it was aviation history or innovation or camaraderie, it was present in countless ways during the week. This year’s highlights and activities also set the foundation for what’s to come in the world of flight, and that is perhaps the most exciting development of all.”

Attendance: Approximately 704,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 686,000 – 2024). Comment from Pelton:

  • “We found ourselves revising our initial attendance estimate upward once all the final weekend’s numbers were in, including from a tremendous day on Saturday, July 26. This year’s success is a credit to our 6,000 volunteers, our staff members, and our partners as they continue to raise the bar on what’s possible as we bring the aviation world to Oshkosh.”

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 16,246 aircraft operations in the period from noon CDT July 17 to noon CDT July 28, which is an average of approximately 108 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total show planes: 2,543 including: 995 vintage aircraft, 910 homebuilt aircraft, 361 warbirds, 101 ultralights and light planes, 75 aerobatic aircraft, 74 seaplanes and amphibians, 18 rotorcraft, and 9 balloons.

Camping: More than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: Approximately 6,000 contributing nearly 300,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors represented: 962 (record number).

Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: More than 1,600 sessions hosted during the week at 65 venues.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 21.2 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 2 million; Total social media video views: 20.3 million (up 19 percent over 2024); Nearly 44,000 social media followers gained.

International guests: A total of 2,305 attendees registering at the International Visitors Tent from 94 countries outside the U.S., including the first-ever registered visitor from Senegal. As a significant number of international visitors do not officially register at the tent when they arrive, the actual international visitor total is much higher.

The Gathering shines: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted more than 1,000 people and raised $2.49 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 901 media representatives on-site, from six continents.

Economic impact*: $257 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * – based on 2025 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study for 2024 event.

What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 (July 20-26, 2026)?  Comment from Pelton:

  • “There is never a shortage of ideas from EAA members, AirVenture attendees, our partners, and from inside our own volunteer corps and staff. We’ll take a little time to enjoy this year’s accomplishments but will soon start planning for next year’s edition of The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.”

 

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure