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The Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro Logo

June 19 – 21, 2026
Rickenbacker International Airport
Columbus, OH

The Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro Logo

June 19 – 21, 2026 | Rickenbacker International Airport | Columbus, OH

Know Before You Go

To ensure a smooth experience for you, we’ve put together this all-in-one guide with everything you need to know to plan your perfect day at the Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro. 

To make the most of your day and enjoy every moment of the festivities, we recommend arriving early so you can settle in comfortably before the action begins

Smiling spectators walk across a grassy area carrying folding chairs and event gear, with parked vehicles and directional signs visible in the background on a sunny day.

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Permitted / Prohibited Items

Please review the venue’s permitted and restricted items before attending the Air Show.

Permitted Items

Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hats
Small handheld umbrellas 
Folding chair or blanket
Strollers and wagons
Baby Food
Cameras and Tripods (there are NO restrictions to lens size, camera size, and tripod size)
Ear protection
Portable phone chargers
Neck fans, handheld fans, mister fans (water bottle part must be empty)
Cash or credit cards (to make purchases at concessions)
Backpacks, purses, fanny packs (subject to search through security)
Service Animals (certified and registered)
Mobility aids

EMPTY water bottles or containers of any size. NO glass. (Refill stations will be located at the entrance of the show and near the white hangar)

Restricted Items

Weapons of any kind (Knives, guns, explosives, tasers, stun guns, etc.)
Concealed Carry Weapons
Coolers (this includes anything designed to insulate, such as hard-sided coolers, soft-sided coolers, backpack coolers, etc.) The ONLY exception is for medicine, which must be in a small soft sided cooler.
Food (unless medically necessary)
Drinks (sealed water bottles, soft drinks, alcohol, etc.)
Glass water bottles
Pets (do not leave pets in your vehicle)
Skateboards, skates, bicycles, Heelys, scooters (unless needed to aid mobility)
Portable awnings/tents/large umbrellas/golf umbrellas/canopies (anything that would need stakes to secure, beach umbrellas, umbrellas that require assembly, and any that are not a personal umbrella)
Cooking equipment
Smoking/vaping (includes cigarettes, lighters, e-cigarettes, cigars, vapes, marijuana, etc.)
Drones

Schedule

Don’t miss out on any part of the show! Take a look at the timelines below to learn more about the daily schedules for the weekend.

Friday, June 19 & Saturday, June 20
(Twilight Show)

Parking Lots, Gates, and Ground Displays Open: 1:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies - Flying Begins: 3:30 PM
Flying Ends: 8:45 PM
Gates Close: 9:00 PM

Sunday, June 21
(Day Show)

Parking Lots, Gates, and Ground Displays Open: 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies - Flying Begins: 11:10 AM
Flying Ends: 4:00 PM
Gates Close: 5:00 PM

Parking and Directions

Check out these pro parking tips! See the details below to ensure a smooth arrival at the show.

Columbus Air Show - 2026 Parking Map

Important Parking Notes

ALL parking passes must be purchased online in advance. Parking passes will NOT be sold at the gate. Vehicles arriving without a pre-purchased pass will not be admitted.

License Plate Scanning

When purchasing your pass online, you will be prompted to enter your license plate number. We utilize scanning technology to automatically check
you in as you drive up to keep the entry lines moving swiftly!

Didn’t add your license plate?

No worries! If you didn’t input your license plate number online because you don’t know what vehicle you plan to drive to the show, just have your
parking pass ready to scan when you arrive. Printed or digital passes will be accepted.

ADA Parking

A limited number of handicapped parking spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To use these spaces, you must have a pre-purchased air show parking pass along with a state-issued handicap placard or license plate. There is NO handicap specific parking pass.

Click or tap here to purchase a parking pass

Directions

The airport’s address is: 2241 John Circle Dr, Columbus, OH 43217.

Follow the signs and directions from parking attendants once you arrive.

For additional information, please visit our Parking Page

Venue Map

Explore the official Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro venue map to plan your perfect day.

Easily navigate the show grounds, aircraft display areas, premium seating, and other key attractions using our handy downloadable map.

Click or tap the image to download a larger version (.pdf format)

Grounds map for the 2026 Columbus Air Show at Rickenbacker International Airport, June 19–21, 2026. The map is oriented with north toward the upper right and includes a key identifying restrooms, exhibits, concessions, performer autograph tents, first aid stations, cooling stations, lost child locations, and water bottle filling stations. The main air show grounds are located along the crowd line facing the feature show area and runway to the south. From left to right, the grounds include the WWII Base Camp Experience, a large static aircraft display area featuring military and civilian aircraft, the Experience STEM Aviation exhibit area, and the NetJets exhibit. Near the center are Premium Box Seating, the Mustang Club, ACES Club, and Rickenbacker Club. Main Gate and VIP Gate entrances are located near the center-right of the grounds, along with a family zone and several concessions, exhibits, restrooms, first aid stations, and water bottle filling stations. On the far right is a large Hot Ramp area designated for aircraft displays, including a Huey helicopter and B-25 aircraft. Adjacent premium seating and hospitality areas include VIP seating, Air Cavalry, Huey Hospitality, and VIP Chalets. Additional exhibit and concession areas are distributed throughout the grounds. To the left of the show grounds, performer parking areas identify the F-35A Lightning II Demo Team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Golden Knights. South of the crowd line is a large WWII Battlefield area, with the feature show area and runway located beyond it. The map notes that it is not to scale and that the layout is subject to change without notice.

Accessibility

The Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro is proud to be an accessible venue.

Show Grounds

Most of the air show is on a hard surface. There are some grassy areas around the edge, but it is easily avoidable and should not impede your ability to maneuver around the show to see the ground displays and exhibits.

Restroom Facilities

There will be several handicap accessible portable bathrooms located around show grounds. In addition, if you are in a premium seating area, there will be handicap accessible portable bathrooms in those areas as well.

Mobility Aids

We will not have the option to rent scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility aids. However, mobility aids are welcome into the show.  If you are in general admission, we encourage you to bring in your own chairs, as seating in general admission is not provided.

Premium Seating

All of our premium seating areas are easily accessible and are on hard surfaces. If you need additional assistance while in your seating area, please see the volunteers, who will be located throughout the premium seating areas.

Service Animals

Per ADA Guidelines, recognized service animals are permitted. However, we would advise you to take strong consideration before bringing a service animal to the event. Jet aircraft can be very loud, the airport ramp surface can get very hot on the paws and animals must be under control at all times.

Shade

Shade is limited at the show. If you cannot be in the sun for long periods, we recommend one of our premium seating areas, or bringing a small hand-held umbrella. Pop-up tents are not permitted.

Hearing Protection

If you or anyone in your group is sensitive to loud sounds, we recommend bringing your own ear protection. While some vendors may sell hearing protection, we cannot guarantee supplies will last.

For further assistance or questions, please visit our Accessibility Information page.

Tickets

Lost your tickets?

Click the link here: https://www.eventsprout.com/resend-confirmation
Look up “2026 Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro” and enter the email address you used to purchase your tickets.

Need to purchase your tickets or parking?

Admission and parking tickets must be purchased separately before arriving! Children 15 and under receive free General Admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

Visit our tickets page to learn more.

Performers

Be sure you don’t miss our star-studded lineup! See the photos below for our list of performers!

 *Performers are subject to change without notice

 

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying against a clear blue sky.

USAF Thunderbirds

Canadian Forces Thunderbirds. Eight (8) CT-114 Tutors flying in formation on bright clear blue sky.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds

U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet climbing steeply with afterburner engaged, vapor clouds forming around the wings against a clear blue sky.

USAF F-35A Demo Team

U.S. Army Golden Knights parachutist descending under a yellow canopy while carrying a large American flag against a clear blue sky.

US Army Golden Knights

U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter in bright red livery flying overhead against a clear blue sky, rotor blades blurred in motion, with crew visible in the cockpit.

USCG MH-65 Dolphin

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II and a vintage P-38 Lightning fly together in a Heritage Flight demonstration against a clear blue sky.

Heritage Flight - F-35A & P-38

KC Formation Flight Team flying in tight formation during an airshow, with multiple aircraft leaving red, white and blue smoke trails against the sky.

KC Formation Flight Team

Alt Text: World War II P-38J Lightning twin-engine fighter aircraft in flight against a clear blue sky, featuring olive drab paint, twin tail booms, spinning propellers, U.S. Army Air Forces star insignia, and the number “162” displayed on the nose and tail.

P-38J Lightning

North American B-25D Rosie's Reply

B-25 - "Rosie's Reply"

P-40 Warhawk fighter aircraft in flight, banking against a clear blue sky, featuring a red nose cone, shark mouth nose art, and U.S. military star insignia on the fuselage and wing.

P-40 Warhawk

P-51 Mustang "By Request"

P-51 Mustang "By Request"

UH-1H Greyhound

UH-1H Greyhound

Vintage P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft painted in “Old Crow” livery flying in profile, featured as a placeholder image for the ScottsMiracle-Gro Aviation Showcase.

Scotts Aviation Showcase

Three restored World War II M4 Sherman tanks, known collectively as the “Three Kings of Columbus,” parked side by side on grass at the Columbus, Ohio Air Show. The olive drab tanks display white U.S. Army star insignia and turret-mounted cannons, with event tents and spectators visible in the background under a clear sky

Sherman M4 Tanks

Battlefield Europe

Battlefield Europe

Airshow pilot Skip Stewart flying a Pitts S-2S aerobatic biplane in flight during an aerial performance.

Skip Stewart - Pitts S-2S

Kyle Fowler in his bright yellow with purple graphics Long EZ flying against a clear blue sky.

Kyle Fowler - Long EZ

Top-down view of Bob Carlton flying a FoxJet sailplane over desert landscape during an aerobatic maneuver.

Bob Carlton - FoxJet Sailplane

Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Truck racing down an airfield runway with a powerful jet engine producing a large flame plume during an airshow performance.

Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Truck

Third Strike Wingwalking Team performer standing on the wing of a red biplane in flight during an airshow, with smoke trailing behind the aircraft.

Third Strike Wingwalking

Brett Hunter of Waynesville, Ohio performs in a small aerobatic aircraft, viewed from below against a clear blue sky during flight.

Brett  Hunter

Fireworks bursting over an American flag with an America 250 Ohio emblem, representing a twilight air show and pyrotechnic celebration honoring 250 years of American independence.

Celebrate "America 250" Finale

Weather

The Columbus Air Show Presented by ScottsMiracle-Gro is a rain-or-shine event. No refunds or rain checks

Air Show officials closely monitor the weather and will adjust the flying schedule as needed to ensure the safety of our performers and guests.

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