The 2026 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford has been canceled due to uncertainty over access to the Gloucestershire airbase, which is currently supporting US-led operations in the Middle East. Organizers said the decision followed extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force, after the arrival of multiple US bombers at Fairford as part of the ongoing campaign in Iran.
RIAT, one of the world’s largest military airshows, had been scheduled for July. The use of RAF Fairford as an operational base has raised concerns about airfield availability and security, prompting organizers to call off this year’s event rather than proceed with diminished access.
Ticket holders are being offered the option to roll their tickets over to the next show, donate the value to charity, or request a full refund, according to information published by the organizers. Children under 18 can normally attend free with a ticket-holding adult, with separate rules for certain enclosures, but those arrangements will now apply to a future edition of the show. Organizers have stated they intend to return in 2027 at RAF Fairford, with contingency plans under consideration.