EAA numbers are in – Record attendance set

The numbers are in, and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 is officially the largest in the event’s history.

Organizers say approximately 734,000 people attended this year’s aviation celebration, breaking last year’s record of just over 704,000.

More than 98 countries were represented by international visitors, while over 10,000 aircraft flew into Wittman Regional Airport and other airports across east-central Wisconsin. Wittman alone handled more than 15,500 takeoffs and landings during AirVenture, averaging about 101 aircraft operations every hour the airport was open.

The grounds featured nearly 2,900 aircraft, including vintage airplanes, homebuilt aircraft, warbirds, ultralights, seaplanes, aerobatic aircraft, and helicopters.

More than 40,000 people camped on the grounds throughout the week, while approximately 6,000 volunteers donated nearly 300,000 hours to help make the event possible.

AirVenture also set a new record with 1,021 commercial exhibitors, hosted more than 1,600 forums, workshops, and presentations, and generated enormous online interest, reaching over 30 million people through social media.

The annual “The Gathering” fundraiser raised a record $2.85 million to support EAA’s aviation education programs.

According to a University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh economic impact study, AirVenture generates an estimated $257 million for the five-county Oshkosh region, including Fond du Lac County.

Looking ahead, EAA officials say planning for AirVenture 2027, scheduled for July 26 through August 1, will begin after organizers take time to review this year’s event. One milestone already on the horizon is the 100th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo trans-Atlantic flight, which is expected to be among the themes considered for next year’s celebration.