The Red Arrows are set to captivate audiences across the United Kingdom and beyond during the 2026 display season. The iconic RAF Aerobatic Team will perform at numerous airshows, flypasts, and special events, from the English Riviera to the Scottish coast, as well as international appearances in Greece, the United States, Sweden, and France.
Season Preparation and Changes
The team began winter training in late 2025, typically lasting from October or November until March or early April. Following this, they deployed abroad for Exercise Springhawk, where more stable weather allows intensive practice. Senior RAF officers assess the pilots, and upon successful evaluation, they are granted Public Display Authority. Once approved, pilots trade their green coveralls for the famous red flying suits, while ground crew switch to royal blue display coveralls.
For the next several years, the Red Arrows will likely fly with only seven aircraft for most displays, rather than the usual nine. This reduction is due to the aging engines of their Hawk T1 jets, which require rotation of the fleet. The change is expected to continue until at least 2030.
2026 Display Schedule
May
- May 24: 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete, Greece
- May 29-30: English Riviera Airshow, Torbay, Devon
- May 30-31: Midlands Air Festival, Alcester, Warwickshire
June
- June 4: Isle of Man TT Races (flypast at 7:30 PM)
- June 6: Gassed on Track, Silverstone
- June 13: Trooping the Colour, London (flypast over Buckingham Palace for the King's official birthday)
- June 14: RAF Cosford Airshow, Wolverhampton
July (United States Tour)
- June 27-28: Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, Maryland
- July 4: International Aerial Review, New York City (flypast)
- July 5-6: FourLeaf Air Show, Jones Beach, New York
- July 11-12: Great State of Maine Airshow, Brunswick Executive Airport, Maine
- July 17-18: Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan
- July 24-26: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin
August
- August 14-16: Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow, East Sussex
- August 15: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (flypast)
- August 16: Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week, Dorset
- August 19: Cromer Carnival and Air Display, Norfolk
- August 22-23: Swedish Air Force 100-Year Anniversary Show, Linkoping, Sweden
- August 27-28: Clacton Airshow, Essex
- August 28: Sidmouth Regatta and Airshow, Devon
- August 29-30: Southport Airshow, Merseyside
September
- September 4-5: International Ayr Show Festival of Flight, Ayr, Scotland
- September 9: Guernsey Air Display, Channel Islands
- September 10: Jersey International Air Display, Channel Islands
- September 12: IWM Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show, Cambridgeshire
- September 13: Activity to be confirmed
- September 19-20: NATO Days in Ostrava, Czech Republic
- September 27: Le Touquet Airshow, France
October
- October 4: IWM Duxford Flying Finale, Cambridgeshire (end of UK airshow season)
Fans are advised to check local event websites for exact timings and any last-minute changes. The Red Arrows' displays are always weather-dependent and subject to operational requirements.
