Red Arrows to Oshkosh!

Photo Credit: Photo by John Dibbs

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The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, best known as the Red Arrows, will for the first time bring its world-renowned formation flying excellence to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The team will participate during the 73rd edition of EAA’s 2026 fly-in convention on July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Red Arrows will perform as part of the afternoon air shows on July 24-26. It is part of the team’s extended U.S. tour in 2026 to honor America’s 250th anniversary.

“The Red Arrows have long been on the list of teams that aviation enthusiasts have wanted to see at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “The team’s extended U.S. tour schedule fortunately allowed them to include AirVenture on their itinerary, so they can be added to the legendary flight teams that have flown at Oshkosh. We welcome them to our event and eagerly anticipate their extraordinary aerial performances.”

Now in their 62nd season, the Red Arrows represent the speed, agility, and precision of the Royal Air Force. They assist in recruiting, act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom at home and overseas, and promote the best of British military aviation.

“The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States — the tour is a fantastic opportunity to display the best of British, at significant events and occasions marking the 250th anniversary, alongside friends, allies and international counterparts. The tour will celebrate and underline the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and our closest security partner,” said Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. “The power to inspire through aviation is something felt by air show crowds on both sides of the Atlantic, and we’re hoping to meet countless individuals and families at these locations, as well as during a busy programme of ground engagement that forms an important element of the tour.

“An enormous amount of work continues to go into the planning for the visit, by teams in the U.K. and U.S., and we’re excited and honoured to bring our signature display of red, white, and blue to some of the biggest, most well-known air shows and events this summer.”

With a spectacular combination of close formations and precision flying, the Red Arrows have been displaying since 1965. The team — which uses the British-built Hawk T1 fast-jet — has flown nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries, with pilots who have flown operationally in frontline aircraft such as the advanced Typhoon. The team’s home base is at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and the pilots are augmented by engineers and essential support staff with frontline, operational experience.

The Red Arrows team members will also participate in numerous public appearances and events on the grounds during AirVenture week. That exact schedule will be announced as it is finalized.

NOTICE TO AIRVENTURE ATTENDEES

Attendees, volunteers, and pilots should be aware that the Red Arrows performances require a larger aerobatic box, necessitating a slight move of the crowd line to the west during the afternoon air shows on those days. Only essential, authorized air show personnel are permitted inside the box during the Red Arrows performance.

The Red Arrows crowd line will run the entire length of the flightline from Ultralights through Warbirds, in line with the existing speaker poles, about 120 feet west of the regular crowd burn line. This line will be clearly marked.

For air show spectators

Visitors will have access to the regular crowd line area until 1:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until noon on Sunday. At those times, visitors must move back to behind the Red Arrows crowd line. AirVenture guests will not be allowed to leave chairs, blankets, coolers, or other items past the Red Arrows crowd line at any time on those days. Friday through Sunday, Wittman Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic, providing additional space for air show viewing.

For pilots and crew of aircraft parked on the flightline

After 1:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday, pilots or crew of aircraft parked between the two crowd lines will be allowed in the area for a short time with a security escort to perform urgent, essential tasks. Everyone will need to be out of this area by 4:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Full access will be restored after the completion of the Red Arrows performance on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Look for extensive signage on the grounds further explaining the areas and times covered by these necessary rules and guidelines.