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EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2026ET RECORDS

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RECORDS SET AT WORLD’S GREATEST AVIATION CELEBRATION

Comment from EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton:

  • “The celebration of America 250 also became an amazing week at The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration at Oshkosh. So many highlights and memories emerged from the grounds over the seven days that made this year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh unforgettable.”

Attendance: Approximately 734,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 704,000 – 2025). Comment from Pelton:

  • “While it’s gratifying to see a record attendance total again this year – which is a credit to our dedicated volunteers, staff, and partners – our goal each year is not to chase numbers but to showcase EAA’s community and share our mission of growing participation in aviation by sharing The Spirit of Aviation. We know that people leave Oshkosh each year inspired and excited by the world of flight that EAA represents.”

International guests: 98 countries represented with visitors registered at the International Visitors Pavilion.

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 15,527 aircraft operations in the period from noon CDT July 16 to noon CDT July 27, which is an average of approximately 101 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total showplanes: 2,851 including: 1,346 vintage aircraft, 875 homebuilt aircraft, 360 warbirds, 118 ultralights and light planes, 88 seaplanes and amphibians, 40 aerobatic aircraft, 18 rotorcraft, and 6 hot-air balloons.

Camping: More than 13,600 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: 1,021 (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 30 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 2 million; Total social media video views: 17.1 million; Nearly 50,000 social media followers gained.

The Gathering shines: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted more than 1,000 people and raised a record $2.85 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 849 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.

What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 (July 26-August 1, 2027)?  Comment from Pelton:

  • “We’re going to first take a breath after this incredible year. Our volunteers, staff and all involved deserve it. Within the next month, however, as we collect feedback and ideas, we’ll begin plotting the course for 2027, which for instance is the 100th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic trans-Atlantic solo flight. That is just one idea and there will be many, many more to come.”

Information updates posted at www.eaa.org/airventure  

Boeing Plaza – ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Boeing Plaza becomes ‘Crossroads of Aviation’ at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Showcase aircraft large and small featured throughout week

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 8, 2026) — Boeing Plaza, the large aircraft ramp at the center of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh grounds, will again become the “Crossroads of Aviation” with an ever-changing lineup of major aircraft during the 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention in July 20-26.

The 2026 lineup includes modern military aircraft, historic airplanes, the latest innovations, and special guest appearances. The roster of aircraft will change throughout the week, with some airplanes visiting for only one day while others will remain for the entire event. In addition, many of the aircraft will reinforce AirVenture’s salute to America 250.

“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 during EAA AirVenture,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Nearly every notable type of airplane of the past 35 years has appeared in that area at some point. What’s also noteworthy is that the coordination of those aircraft is completely organized by a group of AirVenture’s dedicated volunteers, who have probably pulled and tugged more aircraft types than any ramp crew in the world.”

Among the aircraft scheduled on Boeing Plaza in 2026 are a U.S. Air Force B-52, C-5, and C-17, fighter jets such as the F-16, F-35, and F-15, and airliners in special livery designs from Southwest and Delta Airlines. The schedule of display aircraft is subject to change without notice.

Boeing Plaza was originally created in the late 1980s as a taxiway with four aircraft parking “fingers” and expanded into the full ramp in 1993. All aircraft on Boeing Plaza are displayed as a part of regular AirVenture admission.

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.

Legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

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Goodyear and the legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 30, 2026) — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with its iconic blimp, Wingfoot One, continuing a tradition of airship appearances over Oshkosh. The annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, with the blimp scheduled to arrive Thursday, July 23.

Built on a legacy of innovation, Goodyear continues to advance tire technology. From advanced tire designs and intelligent systems to dynamic simulation capabilities, Goodyear’s cutting-edge science helps enable higher performance, enhanced safety and more efficient mobility in virtually every driving environment. The Goodyear Blimp serves as one of the most visible expressions of this legacy, bringing the company’s spirit of innovation to the skies and offering an exciting, high-impact way to showcase the breadth of Goodyear’s brand to audiences around the world.

Wingfoot One plans to fly at various times throughout the week of the 73rd edition of AirVenture, marking 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America made its initial appearance at the EAA fly-in in 1971. Since then, Goodyear has remained a regular participant at EAA events, with the last appearance in 2025 when it brought two blimps to Oshkosh to celebrate 100 years of Goodyear’s very first branded blimp, Pilgrim.

“The Goodyear Blimp is unmatched in both its pedigree and in the excitement that it generates among attendees arriving to AirVenture. Whether soaring through the sky or parked at Pioneer Airport, it is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive,“ said Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs for EAA, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Goodyear has been a fixture at the event over the past 50-plus years, and its presence in 2026 proves EAA AirVenture is a truly ‘blimp-worthy’ event.”

Goodyear’s exhibitor display (#489 in Main Aircraft Display) will also showcase the company’s comprehensive aviation portfolio, which for more than a century has advanced high-performance design, materials and engineering for operators across commercial, military and private aviation worldwide. In addition, the exhibit will highlight Goodyear’s extensive consumer product portfolio, feature engaging marketing initiatives, and offer exclusive Goodyear-branded merchandise for purchase.

“AirVenture gives us an unmatched opportunity to engage with aviation enthusiasts on the world’s stage,” said Joe Burke, Vice President, Global Aviation, Goodyear. “Whether they are seeing the Goodyear Blimp overhead or engaging with our Aviation team on the ground, events like this allow us to bring our story to life, showcasing both the legacy of our iconic Blimp and the innovative aviation solutions that support pilots and operators every day.”

For more than 100 years, Goodyear has been on the leading edge of aviation tire innovation and building airships for commercial and military use, including hundreds of blimps for the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1955, Goodyear pioneered the first live aerial coverage of a nationally televised event, which boomed into a worldwide phenomenon making Goodyear Blimp synonymous with the biggest events in sports and culture.

More information about the blimps and Goodyear’s Aviation offerings is available at goodyearblimp.com and goodyearaviation.com.

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.