Roswell Air Races 2026: Spectator and Travel Guide

By Neil Glazer, Commercial Pilot (Multi-Engine and Instrument Rated)

The National Championship Air Races run Wednesday, September 16 through Sunday, September 20, 2026 in Roswell, New Mexico. This is the same event that called Reno, Nevada home for nearly 60 years: seven classes of closed-course air racing, military and civilian airshow acts, and race planes passing the grandstands at over 500 mph across more than 80 acres of grounds.

PilotMall.com is the official merchandise outlet of the National Championship Air Races, so we spend race week in Roswell too. Here is everything a spectator needs to plan the trip: dates, tickets, lodging, and what to pack for five days in the high desert.

What Happened to the Reno Air Races?

Racing in Reno ended after the 2023 races, closing a run that began in the mid-1960s. The airport authority declined to keep hosting at Reno-Stead, citing area development and public safety. The Reno Air Racing Association, the organization that has run the National Championship Air Races all along, conducted a multi-city search for a new home and announced Roswell, New Mexico in mid-2024. There was no racing anywhere in 2024 while the move was underway.

The first Roswell running, September 10 through 14, 2025, drew more than 56,000 spectators over five days, and racers praised the new course, which is more oval than Reno's and easier on pilots pulling G's in the turns. The 2026 event is year two. Same trophies, same sanctioning body, same national championship. Only the address changed.

2026 Dates, Schedule, and Racing Classes

The 2026 races run Wednesday, September 16 through Sunday, September 20: five days of qualifying and heat racing building to Sunday's championship finals. As of August 2026 the organizers had not posted daily gate hours. In 2025, race days ran from roughly 8:30 in the morning into late afternoon, and 2026 should follow a similar shape; check airrace.org for the current schedule before you drive out.

Seven classes are scheduled to race in 2026: Unlimited, Jet, Sport, T-6, Biplane, Formula 1, and STOL Drag. The Sport and Unlimited classes sat out 2025 and return this year, which makes 2026 the first Roswell running with the full field. The organizers bill this as the only event in the world where fans can watch seven classes of air racing.

The USAF Thunderbirds headline the airshow portion. As of August 2026 they are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 18 through 20, their first appearance at the Roswell races, alongside civilian aerobatic acts and military flybys. Racing fills the rest of each day, so plan to be on the grounds early.

Tickets: Tiers and Where to Buy

Tickets are sold only through the official site: sales run through Eventsprout, and ticket plus hotel packages run through Jampack. The organizers specifically warn against third-party resellers, which may charge more or sell invalid tickets. Advance pricing is limited and prices rise without notice, so as of August 2026 the smart move is to buy early at airrace.org/tickets.

General admission covers adults 13 and up, with junior pricing for ages 3 to 12; children under 2 get in free. Bring chairs with a general admission ticket, or step up to reserved grandstands for a guaranteed seat.

Getting There and Where to Stay

Roswell sits in southeastern New Mexico. The nearest major airline airport is Albuquerque, about 201 miles away, so most out-of-state spectators fly in and drive the last three hours, or road-trip the whole way from Texas. Flying yourself in is possible with a reservation, but GA arrivals and departures are only permitted before and after each day's race waiver is active, so plan your legs around the racing.

Lodging is the choke point. Roswell's hotels sit roughly 16 to 21 minutes from the gates, and they sell out around race week, so book the moment your dates firm up. If Roswell is full, the overflow towns work as day-trip bases: Artesia (41 miles), Ruidoso (74 miles), Carlsbad (76 miles), Alamogordo (90 miles), and Portales (92 miles). Ticket plus hotel packages through Jampack are another way to lock a room, and short-term rentals add options the hotel count misses.

On-site RV camping is the closest bed to the flight line: dry 20 by 50 foot spaces (no hookups) booked through the official ticketing system, with water and dump services for added fees.

What to Bring for a High Desert Airshow

Race week sits at about 3,600 feet in the high desert. September in Roswell averages highs near 88 F and lows near 62 F: sun-blasted afternoons, cool mornings, and a big swing in between. Rain is rare but real, and a squall stopped racing on Saturday in 2025. Pack accordingly:

• Sun protection: The grounds offer almost no natural shade. Wear a hat with a real brim from our caps and hats lineup, proper pilot sunglasses, and sunscreen you actually reapply.
• Hearing protection: Jets and Unlimiteds at full song are punishing, and you will be near the course for hours. Foam plugs at minimum, earmuffs for kids; see our hearing protection picks.
• Hydration: Desert air pulls water out of you faster than you notice. Carry a refillable bottle and drink before you feel thirsty.
• Comfortable footwear: More than 80 acres of grounds, and you will walk most of it between pits, vendors, and grandstands. Broken-in walking shoes, not new boots.
• Layers and a bag: A light jacket for the morning that stuffs into a compact gear bag by mid-morning, plus your own chairs if you buy general admission.

Official Race Merchandise

PilotMall.com is the official merchandise outlet of the National Championship Air Races. We run two tent locations on the grounds during race week, and the same official race gear lives in our Roswell Air Races collection online. Event tees, caps, and commemorative pieces: pick them up at the show or online, and either way it is the official merchandise of the races.

Frequently Asked Questions