This year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh concluded with another attendance record. Approximately 734,000 visitors attended the seven-day event at Wittman Regional Airport, around 30,000 more than last year, once again confirming that the world’s largest gathering of aviation enthusiasts shows no signs of slowing down.

Organizers emphasized, however, that record-breaking figures are not an end in themselves. Experimental Aircraft Association CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton said the event’s more important purpose is to bring aviation closer to the public, encourage new generations to become involved in flying, and showcase the sense of community that is created in Oshkosh each year.

“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,” Pelton said.

More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Oshkosh and nearby airports between July 20 and 26. Wittman Regional Airport alone recorded 15,527 aircraft movements between July 16 and 27, equivalent to an average of approximately 101 takeoffs or landings per hour while the airport was open. The FAA introduces special arrival and departure procedures for AirVenture each year because the event temporarily creates the highest concentration of aircraft anywhere in the world.

A total of 2,851 aircraft were displayed on the show grounds. Vintage aircraft were the largest category, with 1,346 examples, followed by 875 homebuilt and experimental aircraft. Visitors could also see 360 warbirds, 118 ultralights and light aircraft, 88 seaplanes and amphibians, 40 aerobatic aircraft, 18 rotorcraft and six hot-air balloons.

One of the central themes of this year’s program was the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The flying displays combined historic aircraft, modern fighter jets and demonstrations of American military air power, including appearances by a B-1B bomber, F-16, F-22 and F-35B fighters, a C-17 transport aircraft and numerous historic combat aircraft.

Among the aircraft featured in the static and flying displays were the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, T-33, T-6, T-28 and Corsair. The arrival of a B-52 bomber accompanied by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, also attracted considerable attention.

The Red Arrows appeared at AirVenture for the first time this year. The British aerobatic team performed full displays during the final three days of the event, from July 24 to 26, as part of a US tour organized to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Their nine-aircraft Hawk T1 formation was among the most anticipated attractions of the week and concluded months of preparations for the team’s first visit to Oshkosh.

AirVenture once again served as a major platform for new products and projects in the general aviation sector. One of the more notable unveilings was the first preview of Tecnam’s new Rivale aircraft. The Italian manufacturer presented a full-scale sculpture indicating the design direction of the future single-engine aircraft intended for private owners. Rivale is expected to be powered by a 300-horsepower Continental CD-300 diesel engine and equipped with the new Garmin G2000 Prime avionics suite, while further technical details will be released as development progresses.

The commercial side of the event also set a new record. A total of 1,021 exhibitors participated in Oshkosh this year, while more than 1,600 forums, workshops, lectures and presentations were held at 65 locations. In addition to the flying displays and static exhibition, the program again covered aircraft construction, maintenance, pilot training, flight safety, new propulsion technologies and avionics development.

The event’s international character also continued to grow. Visitors from 98 countries registered at the International Visitors Pavilion, while 849 media representatives from six continents covered the event. EAA content on social media reached more than 30 million people, including 17.1 million video views.

A large proportion of visitors once again stayed at campsites next to their aircraft or vehicles. More than 13,600 camping sites accommodated approximately 40,000 people, meaning that the airport grounds were not only an exhibition venue but also a temporary city dedicated entirely to aviation.

The organization of the event relied heavily on approximately 6,000 volunteers, who contributed nearly 300,000 working hours. Their duties included aircraft and vehicle parking, traffic management, visitor transport, media support, guided tours and maintaining the extensive event grounds.

The EAA Aviation Foundation raised a record $2.85 million during its traditional The Gathering fundraising event, supporting educational programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to become involved in aviation. Organizers estimate that AirVenture generates approximately $257 million in economic impact for the wider Oshkosh region, according to a 2025 study by the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Following another record-breaking edition, preparations are already turning toward next year’s gathering. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027 will take place from July 26 to August 1.