The Checkered Flag Club provides the best all-inclusive experience for both individuals and groups. CFC members get parking, admission, food, and merchandise for one low price for the entire week. The next best option for week-long attendance would be combining Box Seating with food from the Chairman’s Hospitality Tent. A box holds up to 15 people, includes reserved parking, pit passes and the option to bring your own cooler of food and drinks. The Chairman’s Hospitality Tent provides a continental breakfast, hot lunch, and an open bar. If you only need tickets for a few days you can combine reserved seats, reserved parking, pit passes and Chairman’s Hospitality Tent for an almost-all inclusive package.

We will do our best to give you additional seats close to your previous seats, or try to re-group you in another section. If you choose to re-group in another section you will lose your next year’s right to your original seats.

Free – 2 yrs. & under (must sit on a lap if in an area that includes seating)
Juniors – Ages 3 – 12
Adults – 13+

Military, are discounted 15% when using the promo code MIL15 during the purchase process. Discounts are valid on General Admission, Reserved Grandstand, Pit Passes, and Air Race Parking.

Military Appreciation Day is Friday, Sept 18; all current and former military service members show their ID at the Ticket Sales Trailer for their FREE General Admission ticket (one per valid ID. A valid CAC or USID card is required to be presented upon event entry along with your air show tickets.)

Pit passes must be exchanged for a pit wristband (whether Daily or Season) to enter the pit area.  Exchange is available just inside the main gate while you wait for the trolly or at the Pit Booth (located at the Pit Pass entrance).

We have a No Refund policy for any reason, including but not limited to cancellation due to inclement weather, smoke or any other reason beyond the control of the Reno Air Racing Association, including, without limitation, cancellation of any scheduled performance or race within our event.

Ticket insurance cannot be added after you have completed your ticket purchase.

However, if you opted into the ticket insurance offered during the purchase process by Fanshield, you can file a claim here: File a Claim — FanShield

Season (Mon – Mon) Dry camping with available water and sewage trucks, for a charge; early arrival and late departure by a few days is acceptable. RV Reservations are available for purchase on our Tickets page. We expect to have some shuttle availability. There will be portable toilets in the RV areas. Daily RV dry camping is now available.

DIRECTIONS:

• The northernmost RV park is about 3/4 mile from the gate
• The southernmost is about 1/2 mile from the gate. 

For more information about RV parking at the event, please visit the RV section on our Tickets page.

Air Race parking can only be purchased in advance through our ticketing page HERE. Different ticket types may also include parking so be sure to check your tickets for specific parking instructions.

For Handicap parking access, please purchase an Air Race parking pass and follow the signs to the special lot when you arrive.

There will be a Rideshare Drop Off Location at the corner of Mathis & Earl Cummings for those without a parking pass/transportation.

Only buy Air Race Parking if you plan to drive out of the RV Lot to park in a different lot. You cannot park a motorhome or trailer in Air Race Parking. 

No. A Car Pass for the RV Lot is included with your RV Space purchase. Please note that your vehicle must fit in the space (20’x50′) with your RV or Trailer and is non-transferrable.

Yes, but we strongly suggest you only do so prior to 7:30 am or after 5:30 pm as traffic during the day will make it very difficult.

The National Championship Air Races are held at the Roswell Air Center (ROW), 1 South Jerry Circle, Roswell, NM 88201.

All participating classes of aircraft race Thursday through Sunday. 

In between races, there are always aerobatic exhibitions, fly-bys, military, and civil aircraft demonstrations and other performances so that there is never a dull moment at the Air Races.

Please note that the schedule is always subject to change based on weather, safety, and flight operational factors.

Every day is an exciting day at the races. With so much to see and do, why not make plans to attend more than one day or better yet all week for the ultimate air racing experience? The most highly-attended day is Saturday. Sunday is the last day of the races, with all of the Gold races being held. However, photographers wishing to get the best crowd-free shots of their favorite planes, or others wishing to experience the Races in a less congested environment are better served to attend early in the week when the crowds are smaller.

The following items are permitted to bring into the venue:

• Wagon and strollers
• Service Dogs (no pets) – please note that the pavement WILL BE HOT and there will not be a lot of shade, so please plan accordingly.
• Small backpacks
• Cameras and small camera bags
• Mobility aids (scooters, wheelchairs, etc.)
• TWO sealed water bottles per guest
• Folding chairs

*Please note that ALL bags and wagons will be subject to search at security.

The following items not allowed to be brought into the venue:

• Weapons of any kind (this includes Concealed Carry)
• Skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, heelys, bicycles, etc.
• Food and beverages (unless medically necessary)
• Coolers (this includes anything that is designed to insulate) – (unless medically necessary)
• Large backpacks
• All Pets – Except certified service animals**
• Smoking, vaping, etc.
• Fireworks
• Lighters
• Umbrellas (They can get loose in the wind and cause damage and/or injuries, along with blocking the views in the grandstands)

**Remember: DO NOT LEAVE PETS OR ANIMALS IN YOUR VEHICLE.

The 2026 National Championship Air Races is a destination event, with aviation enthusiasts flying in from all over the world. The Roswell Air Center will have ample room to accommodate civilian aircraft. Sign up information will be available at a later date. 

Click Here for more information

Information about lodging and details about the region can be found on our PLAN YOUR TRIP  page

Fans can expect that the Air Races venue will be ADA compliant. There will be wheelchair accessible seating, handicap parking and a handicap shuttle. Handicap seating options will be marked as you enter the venue. For other needs/questions, please email us at info@airrace.org

,Every year is a surprise when it comes to weather. Clear skies and warm days in the 80s are what we plan and hope for, however, it may rain, be windy, get very hot or even snow! Dress in layers and be prepared for weather that can change day to day and even hour to hour. As umbrellas are not allowed, wear hats, sunscreen and protective clothing, and bring rain ponchos if rain is forecast.

The National Championship Air Races is a fun event for the entire family. Kids will enjoy getting up close and personal with the race planes, the Drone Zone where they can fly and learn more about Drones, the NVBAA-GRADD STEM Education Discovery zone equipped with flight simulators, a 3D printing display area, an aviation and rocket picture booth, and more. They can climb into a real military cargo plane, watch the air show performers, and shop for kid-sized merchandise at the vendor booths. Parents, please take into consideration whether your infants and toddlers will be bothered by the loud noise from the planes.

There is no shaded grandstand or box seating from which you can watch the races. The best relief from the sun is a good hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water. The vendor areas have a few shaded tents to provide brief breaks from the sun and enjoy lunch. The Checkered Flag Club and Chairman’s Hospitality Tent also provide seating in the shade for members to use while enjoying a drink or a meal.

Merchandise can be purchased online at shop.airrace.org or at the event, at any of the NCAR official merchandise stores.

You can learn more about the Racers by clicking here.

Monday – Tuesday:
Aircraft qualifications. Pit passes will be available for purchase at the Main Ticket Booth only.

Wednesday – Sunday:
Gates open at 7 :30 am and close at 6:30 pm.

Show starts at 8 am and ends at approximately 4:30 pm (5 pm on Sunday)
Will-Call and Ticket Booth Hours begin at 7:00 am and will close around the beginning of the last race at approximately 3:00 pm.

You can see an example of the event schedule by CLICKING HERE

Limited Shuttles will be available on the weekends from Air Race Parking lots with details to follow closer to the event. Inside the event, we will have trolleys to help people get from the main entrance to the grandstands with ease. 

We have no control over wildfires or weather, nor can we foresee if either will ground a race. We will monitor and adjust based on current conditions during the event and communicate updates with attendees as quickly as possible. 

The weather can vary from very low temperatures in the morning to high temperatures in the afternoon, with potential precipitation and wind in the afternoon. We recommend that you wear layers and bring a hat and sunscreen for additional protection. Please remember the event is entirely outdoors. Don’t forget to drink lots of water. 

Yes, the National Championship Air Races is a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Volunteers are always needed to help with security, parking, merchandise sales, hospitality, logistics and flight line operations. Volunteers are required to work a minimum of 16 hours/two days during the event.

You may fill out an application here. Limited opportunities exist for non-profit groups wishing to “volunteer” the services of their members in exchange for some form of compensation. Please contact us well in advance of Race Week for further information.

Contact forms are available by clicking here.

The awards banquet is held on Sunday night and includes a catered dinner. The location will be determined closer to the event with tickets available online at a later date. This event has limited seating.

All local schools are eligible for free field trips (guardians must purchase admission tickets). Call Reza with the STEM Education Discovery Program at 702.879.9100.