The Goodyear Blimp Returns to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 — Marking 55 Years Over Wittman

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The Goodyear Blimp is returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026, with Wingfoot One scheduled to arrive Thursday, July 23 and fly various times throughout the week of the 73rd annual convention (July 20–26, 2026). This year marks 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America first appeared at the EAA fly-in in 1971, cementing an unbroken half-century tradition of airship appearances that has made the blimp one of the most recognizable sights over Wittman Regional Airport. Goodyear will also operate an exhibitor display at booth #489 in the Main Aircraft Display area, showcasing the company’s aviation portfolio, consumer products, and Goodyear-branded merchandise.

For pilots, families, and first-time attendees planning their AirVenture week, spotting the Goodyear Blimp overhead is often the first “you’ve arrived” moment of the experience. Here’s the full picture of the 2026 appearance and the 100-year history of Goodyear airships that leads into it.

What’s Happening in 2026

The aircraft. Wingfoot One, the current active Goodyear Blimp assigned to appearances across the eastern United States. Wingfoot One is a semi-rigid Zeppelin NT (New Technology) airship — the third-generation Goodyear airship type that debuted in 2011 and replaced the older non-rigid GZ-20 model.

The schedule. Wingfoot One arrives Thursday, July 23, 2026. The blimp will fly at various times throughout the remainder of AirVenture week. When not flying, it will be parked at Pioneer Airport — the historic auxiliary airfield adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport that also hosts vintage aircraft displays and the EAA Aviation Museum’s flying collection.

The exhibit. Goodyear’s booth #489 in the Main Aircraft Display area will showcase the company’s aviation product portfolio, consumer products, and merchandise. Attendees can engage with Goodyear’s aviation team, browse the company’s aircraft tire technology, and pick up branded merchandise.

The anniversary. 2026 marks 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America made its initial AirVenture appearance in 1971. It’s also the year AirVenture officially recognizes 100 years of Goodyear airships as a featured aircraft anniversary at the convention.

Why the Goodyear Blimp Means So Much to Oshkosh

Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs and the person who coordinates AirVenture features, framed the significance directly.

“The Goodyear Blimp is unmatched in both its pedigree and in the excitement that it generates among attendees arriving to AirVenture,” Larsen said. “Whether soaring through the sky or parked at Pioneer Airport, it is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive. Goodyear has been a fixture at the event over the past 50-plus years, and its presence in 2026 proves EAA AirVenture is a truly ‘blimp-worthy’ event.”

For Goodyear, AirVenture is one of the highest-visibility non-sports venues on the annual airship calendar. Joe Burke, Vice President of Global Aviation at Goodyear, framed the value from Goodyear’s side.

“AirVenture gives us an unmatched opportunity to engage with aviation enthusiasts on the world’s stage,” Burke said. “Whether they are seeing the Goodyear Blimp overhead or engaging with our Aviation team on the ground, events like this allow us to bring our story to life, showcasing both the legacy of our iconic Blimp and the innovative aviation solutions that support pilots and operators every day.”

100 Years of Goodyear Airships

The 2026 AirVenture appearance sits inside a much longer aviation history. Goodyear celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first branded airship in 2025 — when the company brought two blimps to Oshkosh in a rare double appearance to mark the centennial.

Goodyear’s aviation story:

1910. Goodyear creates its aeronautics department, laying the foundation for a century of airship, aircraft tire, and aviation technology development.

1925. Goodyear launches its first branded airship, Pilgrim — considered the beginning of the Goodyear Blimp era.

1930. Goodyear introduces the first blimp with a lighted sign, opening the era of aerial advertising visible at night.

World War II. Goodyear builds hundreds of blimps for the U.S. Navy, serving as anti-submarine patrol aircraft along U.S. coastlines. This wartime production establishes Goodyear as the largest airship manufacturer in world history.

1955. Goodyear pioneers the first live aerial coverage of a nationally televised event, launching what would become an iconic sports broadcasting tradition. Aerial broadcast flights over the Rose Bowl begin the same year.

1971. The Goodyear Blimp America makes its first appearance at the EAA fly-in, beginning the 55-year AirVenture tradition. At the time, EAA’s convention was held at Wittman Field in Oshkosh — where it has remained since 1970.

2011. Goodyear begins the transition to semi-rigid Zeppelin NT airships, replacing the older non-rigid GZ-20 blimp model. Wingfoot One is one of the current generation of NT airships.

2025. Goodyear brings two blimps to Oshkosh to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pilgrim, marking a unique dual-airship appearance in more than 50 years of Goodyear participation at the event.

2026. Wingfoot One returns solo for the 55th anniversary of the first AirVenture appearance.

Goodyear’s blimps have become deeply woven into American culture. From Rose Bowl broadcasts to Super Bowl coverage to routine sightings over major cities during football season, the Goodyear Blimp is one of the most recognized commercial aircraft in the world.

What Wingfoot One Actually Is

For pilots and aviation enthusiasts curious about the technical details, Wingfoot One is a Zeppelin NT-07 semi-rigid airship. The specs:

Length: 246 feet (75 meters)
Diameter: 58 feet (17.7 meters)
Gas volume: 297,527 cubic feet of helium
Speed: Cruise around 45 mph, top speed approximately 73 mph
Powerplant: Three vectored-thrust engines (two on the sides, one at the tail) providing much better maneuverability than earlier non-rigid designs
Capacity: Two pilots and up to 12 passengers
Base: Wingfoot Lake Airship Base, Suffield, Ohio

The semi-rigid design is a fundamental improvement over the older GZ-20 non-rigid airships Goodyear operated for decades. Instead of the airship shape being maintained purely by gas pressure, the Zeppelin NT includes an internal aluminum and carbon fiber framework. This allows better speed, better maneuverability in wind, and larger cabin space — while still being fundamentally lighter-than-air.

Goodyear currently operates three airships in the U.S. fleet: Wingfoot One (based in Ohio), Wingfoot Two (based in Pompano Beach, Florida), and Wingfoot Three (based in Carson, California). Each covers a different regional territory for sports broadcasts, corporate appearances, and events like AirVenture.

Where the Goodyear Blimp Fits in AirVenture 2026

The Goodyear Blimp appearance is one of several featured components of the 73rd AirVenture. The 2026 program lineup includes:

Featured aircraft anniversaries. 100 years of the Goodyear Blimp, along with 100 years of Travel Air and Fairchild aircraft. Additional anniversaries include the Lockheed U-2, Robinson Helicopters, AirCam, Van’s RV-8, Beechcraft Bonanza, and Skyraider.

Air shows. Daily air shows Monday through Saturday at 2:15 p.m. CT, Sunday’s air show at 1:00 p.m. CT. Night air shows Wednesday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. CT. The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team (Red Arrows) is scheduled to perform July 24–26.

Featured military service. U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, is the featured service component for 2026.

Special aircraft. NASA’s Super Guppy returns to Boeing Plaza. The B-29 Superfortress Doc, B-24 Diamond Lil, and other historic warbirds are confirmed for the Warbirds lineup. Southwest Airlines’ Independence One semiquincentennial tribute aircraft will be on display.

Vintage in Review. Five rare vintage aircraft dating back to 1934–1953 are confirmed for daily Vintage in Review presentations, including a 1934 Granville Brothers Gee Bee R-6 QED replica.

WomenVenture. The Design-Build-Test theme spotlights women in aircraft design, construction, and testing, with keynote speaker Xyla Foxlin and the annual group photo at Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 22.

Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight. 100 Vietnam War veterans will take an honor flight to Washington, D.C.

KidVenture and AviationTech. STEM programming for young attendees exploring aviation careers.

Together, the 2026 lineup represents one of the more diverse programming years in recent AirVenture history — spanning aviation’s earliest days (Gee Bee), the airship era (Goodyear Blimp), the golden age of general aviation (Bonanza, RV-8), the warbird era, modern military (PACAF), and the emerging future (eVTOL aircraft in Aviation Gateway Park).

Where to See Wingfoot One During AirVenture

For attendees planning to see the blimp during their AirVenture visit:

Overhead flights. Wingfoot One will fly over the AirVenture grounds at various times throughout the week starting Thursday, July 23. Exact flight times are typically announced day-of based on weather and wind conditions.

Static display. When not flying, Wingfoot One will be parked at Pioneer Airport, the auxiliary field adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport. Pioneer Airport is walkable from the main AirVenture grounds and also hosts vintage aircraft displays.

Goodyear exhibit. Booth #489 in the Main Aircraft Display area. The exhibit runs throughout AirVenture week (July 20–26).

Photo opportunities. The blimp is a favorite photography subject at AirVenture. Best photo angles are typically from Boeing Plaza when the blimp is flying, or from the Pioneer Airport approach when parked.

The Bottom Line

The Goodyear Blimp’s return to AirVenture 2026 continues one of aviation’s most durable partnerships. For 55 years, Goodyear airships have been circling Oshkosh in July — long enough that generations of AirVenture attendees have grown up associating the blimp overhead with the “world’s greatest aviation celebration” underway on the ground.

For 2026, Wingfoot One arrives July 23 and flies throughout the remainder of the convention. The Goodyear exhibit at booth #489 runs all week. And attendees at AirVenture 2026 continue a tradition that dates back to when the fly-in convention was still finding its footing in Oshkosh in 1971 — decades before it became the aviation event of record it is today.

Whether flying overhead or parked at Pioneer Airport, Wingfoot One will be one of the most photographed aircraft on the field. And the sight of the blimp catching the last light of a Wisconsin evening remains one of the enduring images of AirVenture — a piece of American aviation heritage still very much in the air.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Goodyear Blimp be at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026? Wingfoot One is scheduled to arrive at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on Thursday, July 23, 2026, and will fly at various times throughout the remainder of the convention. AirVenture 2026 runs July 20–26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. When not flying, the blimp will be parked at Pioneer Airport adjacent to the main AirVenture grounds.

What Goodyear Blimp is coming to AirVenture 2026? The blimp appearing at AirVenture 2026 is Wingfoot One, a Zeppelin NT-07 semi-rigid airship based at Wingfoot Lake Airship Base in Suffield, Ohio. Wingfoot One is 246 feet long, holds 297,527 cubic feet of helium, and can carry two pilots and up to 12 passengers.

How long has Goodyear participated in EAA AirVenture? The Goodyear Blimp first appeared at the EAA fly-in in 1971, when the Goodyear Blimp America flew over the event in Oshkosh. The 2026 appearance marks 55 years of continuous Goodyear participation at what is now known as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Goodyear also celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first branded airship (Pilgrim, 1925) at AirVenture 2025.

Where can I see the Goodyear Blimp at AirVenture 2026? Wingfoot One will fly overhead at various times throughout AirVenture week starting July 23. When not flying, the blimp will be parked at Pioneer Airport adjacent to Wittman Regional Airport. Goodyear will also operate an exhibitor display at booth #489 in the Main Aircraft Display area throughout the convention.

How many Goodyear Blimps are there today? Goodyear currently operates three semi-rigid Zeppelin NT airships in the U.S.: Wingfoot One (based at Wingfoot Lake, Ohio), Wingfoot Two (Pompano Beach, Florida), and Wingfoot Three (Carson, California). Each covers a different regional territory for sports broadcasts, corporate appearances, and aviation events like EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

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