EAA AirVenture Oshkosh sets new records with highest-ever attendance

More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport and other airports in east-central Wisconsin for AirVenture. Wittman alone recorded over 16,200 aircraft operations between July 17 and July 28. The average number of takeoffs and landings per hour reached about 108 while the airport was open.

The show featured a diverse range of aircraft with a total of 2,543 showplanes on display. These included nearly one thousand vintage aircraft and more than nine hundred homebuilt planes. Warbirds numbered over three hundred sixty; ultralights and light planes exceeded one hundred; seventy-five aerobatic aircraft participated alongside seaplanes, amphibians, rotorcraft, and balloons.

Camping remained popular with more than fifteen thousand sites used by over forty thousand visitors.

Volunteer participation was strong again this year with around six thousand people contributing close to three hundred thousand hours.

Commercial exhibitors reached a new high with nine hundred sixty-two companies represented.

Education sessions continued to be a focus with more than sixteen hundred forums, workshops, and presentations held across sixty-five venues during the week.

Online engagement grew significantly as EAA’s social media channels reached over twenty-one million people during AirVenture. Video views increased by nineteen percent compared to last year with more than twenty million views recorded. Nearly forty-four thousand new followers joined EAA’s social media platforms.

International interest remained high as well; two thousand three hundred five attendees registered at the International Visitors Tent from ninety-four countries outside the United States—including a first-time visitor from Senegal—though actual international attendance is likely higher since not all guests register officially upon arrival.

The EAA Aviation Foundation hosted its annual fundraising event "The Gathering," which drew more than one thousand participants and raised $2.49 million for aviation education programs supporting EAA's mission to grow participation in aviation.

Media coverage spanned globally with nine hundred one representatives attending from six continents.

According to an economic impact study conducted by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh based on data from last year's event, AirVenture generated an estimated $257 million for five counties in the region: Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown.

Looking ahead to next year’s event scheduled for July 20-26, 2026: “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.”