700,000 Attend 2025 EAA AirVenture, Shattering Previous Record

Record-Breaking Attendance at EAA AirVenture 2025

EAA AirVenture, one of the most anticipated aviation events in the world, has made history with its 2025 edition. The event, held in Oshkosh, saw an unprecedented number of visitors, setting a new benchmark for attendance. According to officials, approximately 704,000 guests attended the event this year, surpassing the previous record of 686,000 set in 2024. This impressive growth highlights the continued popularity and significance of the event.

The success of the 2025 event was attributed to the hard work of numerous individuals and organizations. EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton shared his appreciation for the efforts of the 6,000 volunteers, staff members, and partners who contributed to the event's success. He noted that the final weekend’s numbers, particularly a standout day on Saturday, July 26, led to an upward revision of the initial attendance estimate.

The theme of “One Week – Endless Possibilities” resonated throughout the event, showcasing the diverse aspects of aviation. From historical aircraft to cutting-edge innovations and the sense of community among attendees, the week was filled with experiences that highlighted the passion and dedication of the aviation community.

Key Highlights from EAA AirVenture 2025

The 2025 event featured a wide array of activities and attractions that drew aviation enthusiasts from around the globe. Here are some notable statistics:

• Total Aircraft: Over 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 16,246 aircraft operations between noon CDT on July 17 and noon CDT on July 28, averaging about 108 takeoffs and landings per hour when the airport was open.

• Total Showplanes: A total of 2,543 showplanes were present, including:

• 995 vintage aircraft
• 910 homebuilt aircraft
• 361 warbirds
• 101 ultralights and light planes
• 75 aerobatic aircraft
• 74 seaplanes and amphibians
• 18 rotorcraft

• 9 balloons

• Camping: More than 15,000 sites were available for aircraft and drive-in camping, accommodating over 40,000 visitors.

• Volunteers: Nearly 6,000 volunteers contributed over 300,000 hours of service.

• Commercial Exhibitors: A record number of 962 commercial exhibitors participated.

• Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: Over 1,600 sessions were hosted across 65 venues during the week.

• Social Media, Internet, and Mobile: EAA reached over 21.2 million people through its social media channels, with 2 million engagements. Total video views exceeded 20.3 million, marking a 19% increase from 2024. The event also gained nearly 44,000 new social media followers.

• International Guests: A total of 2,305 attendees registered at the International Visitors Tent, representing 94 countries outside the U.S. Notably, this included the first-ever visitor from Senegal. However, many international visitors did not officially register, suggesting the actual number is higher.

• The Gathering: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event, which supports aviation education programs, attracted more than 1,000 people and raised $2.49 million to support EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

• Media: 901 media representatives from six continents were present at the event.

• Economic Impact: The event generated an estimated $257 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown), based on a 2025 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study for the 2024 event.

What’s Next for EAA AirVenture?

With the 2025 event now behind them, EAA officials are already looking ahead to the future. Jack Pelton emphasized that ideas for future events come from various sources, including members, attendees, partners, and internal teams. While they will take time to celebrate this year’s achievements, planning for the next edition of The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration is already underway.