Grab your Super Early Bird Friday tickets before prices change at midnight on Sunday 1st February – you won’t want to miss out on all the action this year.
While you’re gearing up for the summer, relive the highlights that made last year unforgettable with the RIAT25 after movie, touching down on our socials next Thursday at 12pm. Keep your eyes peeled.
Please note: Not all benefits listed above are included in every enclosure. Please check individual hospitality packages for full details.
Whether you’re bringing the family, wanting to shoot the perfect photo of your favourite aircraft, or want to treat yourself to a unique weekend, we’ve got you covered.
We look forward to welcoming you to RIAT26! The RIAT Team
Workshop barriers are removed, giving a rare chance to inspect historic aircraft and engineering in intimate detail
Activities including flight simulators and immersive VR
Temporary exhibition ‘In focus: The Sopwith & Hawker Story’ running 14-22 February
Old Warden, 29 January 2026 – For one weekend only, on 21 and 22 February, barriers will be removed at Shuttleworth’s engineering workshop, giving guests a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to restore, rebuild and operate one of the world’s most extensive collections of working vintage agricultural exhibits, veteran and vintage vehicles, and airworthy aircraft from the earliest days of flight. A packed programme is scheduled, including talks and demonstrations from expert engineers, vintage bus rides, engineering-focused activities, and tours of the hangars and Shuttleworth House, amongst other activities.
A temporary exhibition titled ‘In Focus: The Sopwith & Hawker Story’ celebrating Sopwith and Hawker aircraft, featuring six of Shuttleworth’s own iconic Collection aircraft, including the 1918 Sopwith F.1 Camel (which will have an engine ground run on Engineering Open Workshop weekend) and the 1941 Hawker Sea Hurricane Ib, will also exclusively take place on 14-22 February – with barriers coming down around the exhibition during the Workshop event.
Featured exhibits
Visitors will be able to get up close to wartime fighters Supermarine Spitfire Vc and Bristol M.1C as well as the unique Southern Martlet which will be on display. Additionally on view in the workshop will be aircraft currently undergoing restoration including the Percival Mew Gull, English Electric Wren, and Deperdussin, offering guests a rare look inside the intricate mechanics that keep these historic machines flying. Shuttleworth’s in-house team of engineers will also demonstrate an engine ground run on the Sopwith F.1 Camel as well as the Hucks Starter on the Hawker Hind – which has recently undergone an extensive overhaul and is now repainted in the colours of 605 Squadron, serial K5533.
The workshop will also showcase a fascinating range of historic vehicles and machinery, including the ABC Motorcycle, the 1899 Marot-Gardon Quadricycle, a 1900 Locomobile, a Ford Model A Truck, and a Leyland Bus Engine. Visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences with interactive attractions such as Studebaker car rides and the Bofors anti-aircraft gun. In steam will be the Clayton & Shuttleworth portable steam engine powering the thrashing set as well as the ever-popular traction engine “Phoenix”, and the newly acquired steam wagon “The Fenland Princess”.
Hands-on, engineering activities and challenges
Various invited partner organisations will present an exciting range of engineering-focused activities suitable for all ages. Visitors will have the chance to take the controls in flight simulators, delve into Bedford’s airship heritage with immersive VR experiences, practice traditional English wheeling, craft and paint scale models, and put their skills to the test by diagnosing aircraft engine faults.
Showcasing their engineering prowess, the WorldSkills UK team will undertake a trial run of aeronautical engineering challenges against the clock in preparation for competing in the 48th WorldSkills championships in Shanghai, China this September.
‘In focus: The Sopwith & Hawker Story’ temporary exhibition
From 14-22 February, a temporary exhibition in Hangar Four will take place, bringing into focus the pioneering legacy of the Sopwith Aviation Company and Hawker Aircraft Limited, highlighting their designs and contributions to aviation history. Visitors can explore iconic aircraft, learn about the engineers and designers who brought them to life, and discover how these legendary companies shaped flight. For Engineering Open Workshop weekend, the barriers will be removed around the exhibition, allowing guests to admire the aircraft even more closely.
Jean-Michel Munn, Head of Engineering, commented:
“Engineering Open Workshop is the first big event of 2026 for Shuttleworth’s engineering team, and we’re looking forward to showcasing our current restoration projects in progress at the workshop as well as the rest of our iconic Collection. In contrast to the spectacle of our air shows, it’s fantastic to be able to welcome the public to our workshop to appreciate the skill, patience and passion which keeps these historic aircraft able to fly.”
Under 18s tickets are free for this event, with adult tickets at £25 (and £20 for members), available to book here.
The countdown to RIAT26 is on, and there’s no better way to get ready than with official RIAT merchandise – on sale until the end of January!
Whether you’re counting down to this year’s show, want to commemorate last year’s show, or search for the perfect gift for an aviation enthusiast, our merchandise sale has something for you.
Shop our top picks below or browse the full sale. Don’t miss out, the sale stock is limited and once it’s gone, it’s gone.
A firm favourite with many of our guests, the Aviation Club offers a smart yet relaxed hospitality experience, perfect for those looking to enjoy the show in comfort while staying close to the heart of the action.
What’s included:
On-base car parking
Private marquee, garden and grandstand
Light breakfast
Two-course buffet lunch
Light afternoon tea
Complimentary tea, coffee and infusions
Complimentary souvenir programme
Private toilets
Discounts available now (already applied):
5% off Friday
5% off Sunday
Please note:
Children aged 5 and over require a ticket
Under 5s are not permitted
Treat yourself to a truly memorable Air Tattoo experience with the Aviation Club. Already have a General Admission ticket? You can book your upgrade separately.
Schoolchildren in Cheltenham were tasked with creating a new sustainable aircraft as part of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT)’s Road to RIAT programme.
More than 50 children at Naunton Park Primary School took part in the session, where they were asked to design a new aircraft of the future as part of a national competition, which culminates at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in July this year.
The Gloucestershire youngsters will see their entries pitted against pupils from across the country, with RAFCT, parent charity of RIAT estimating over 35,000 young people will be taking part in the competition.
The free programme, which has been running since 2020 in partnership with RAF Youth STEM and The Smallpeice Trust, is part of a wider portfolio made possible by RAFCT as they aim to inspire young people to fulfil their potential in air, space and technology.
Mike Steward, Deputy Headteacher at Naunton Primary School, said: “Sessions such as these are so valuable for children, enabling them to interact with experts in STEM.
“The competitive element really engages and inspires them as well as developing their resilience which can then be transferred to other areas of their lives.”
Last year RAFCT, the UK-wide charity based in Gloucestershire, agreed over 15 partnerships with different organisations, as they continue to reach more and more young people.
In 2022 the charity announced it was aiming to reach 500,000 young people by this summer, however, they have already surpassed their initial target, reaching over 750,000 with almost six months to go.
Hannah Hickman, Grant Relationship Manager at RAFCT, said: “We’re delighted to see Road to RIAT continuing to grow, with 600 primary schools taking part across the UK this year.
“As our flagship Key Stage 2 initiative, it perfectly demonstrates how RAFCT’s work, powered by RIAT, creates impact far beyond the showground, bringing the excitement of aviation and space straight into classrooms across the UK.
“The programme reflects RAFCT’s commitment to tackling the national skills gap by inspiring young people from the age of five to explore their potential in air, space, and technology, and to consider future pathways into STEM careers.”
Following on from their successful Autumn season, the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop hopes to continue bringing new audiences through its doors with another fabulous series of daytime and evening talks.
The popular speaker series at the Museum was developed in 2025 to include a monthly daytime talk programme and has continued to go from strength to strength, attracting a wide range of speakers showing their support for the Museum which has made a significant impact on the local tourism sector over the last few years.
The speaker series kicks off in January with return visits from Military Historian and Battlefield Guide Mike Peters and former RAF fast jet pilot and author Mandy Hickson. In what is set to be a remarkable talk in February, Dr Tony Insall will tell the story of Captain Gilbert Insall, the only person to have both won a Victoria Cross and to have escaped successfully from a German prisoner-of-war camp during the First World War.
For those interested in modern technology, don’t miss a mesmerising talk by Mike Roberts from Leonardo as he shares the fascinating story of Proteus, one of the world’s most exciting autonomous military aviation programmes, from its concept to the race against weather to fly Proteus in 2025.
The Spring season of talks culminates with a thrilling talk – SAS-Sea King Down – where visitors will join Mark Aston at the Museum or online for a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat true story of one soldier’s Special Forces operations in the Falklands War.
As a special event this year, the Museum will collaborate with Veteran Voices to tell the story of the Iranian Embassy Siege. This rare live event from a Red Troop assault veteran has never been told live before, only via podcast, and visitors will also have the opportunity to see a replica scale-model of the embassy.
Chris Keeber from Veteran Voices said “Veteran Voices is proud to be working with the Army Flying Museum to deliver this event, providing a veteran of Operation Nimrod with the platform to tell his firsthand account”
With monthly daytime talks on subjects including the Supermarine Seaplane, the Youngest Bomber Pilot of World War Two and the story of the secret underground bunker and how it helped to win the Battle of Britain, there is definitely lots taking place at the Museum this Spring for military enthusiasts and history fans alike.
The launch of this programme follows on from the successful programme of events that the Museum staged in 2025, with visitor figures looking certain to hit record numbers for the second consecutive year.
Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum Lucy Johnson said: “It has been wonderful to see so many new faces through our doors, not only to enjoy our wide-ranging speaker series, but also to learn about the history of British Army aviation and enjoy the sights on the adjacent airfield as the Apache helicopters fly by. We are really excited about our collaboration with Veteran Voices, and this is set to be a very special evening at the Museum.”
As we step into a brand-new year, we’re already looking ahead with excitement to RIAT26. We can’t wait to share what’s in store and welcome you back for another unforgettable show.
Take Off Thursday starts in a few weeks’ time, so keep an eye on your inbox and on our social media channels for all the exciting aircraft announcements.
Don’t worry if you missed our Black Friday sale, there’s still a chance for you to enjoy some fantastic savings. Our Boxing Day merchandise sale will continue throughout January. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your RIAT wardrobe, add to your aviation collection, or pick up a gift for a fellow enthusiast.
Discover official RIAT merchandise at discounted prices while stocks last (sale ends midnight Sunday 1st February).
Order dispatch restarts: Week commencing Monday 5th January.
