The English Riviera Airshow 2026 runs from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May at Paignton, Devon. It is a free 3-day aerial and ground entertainment event celebrating its 10th anniversary. The airshow attracts nearly 200,000 visitors annually and features both military and civilian display teams.
What Is the English Riviera Airshow?
The English Riviera Airshow is a free annual aviation event held at Paignton seafront, Torbay, Devon. It is organised by Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company. Display teams include military jets, classic warbirds, and aerobatic aircraft performing over Torbay’s natural coastal amphitheatre. For the previous guide in this series, see Cosford Airshow 2026: Dates, Aircraft, Tickets, and 6 Key Things to Know.
The event was originally known as the Torbay Airshow when it launched in 2016. It was renamed the English Riviera Airshow in 2020. It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2022 and has expanded each year since.
When and Where Is the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
The English Riviera Airshow 2026 takes place at Paignton Green, Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ4 6BG, from 29 to 31 May 2026.
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Date |
Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May 2026 |
|
Venue |
Paignton Green, Torbay, Devon |
|
Entry Cost |
Free |
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Organiser |
Torbay Council & English Riviera BID Company |
|
Anniversary |
10th year (founded 2016) |
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Expected Attendance |
~200,000 visitors |
What Are the Flying Times at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
Flying display times vary across the 3-day programme:
- Friday 29 May: 18:30 – 21:30 (evening “Take Off” event)
- Saturday 30 May: 12:00 – 16:00
- Sunday 31 May: 13:00 – 16:00
The Friday evening session opens the weekend with live entertainment and dynamic aerial performances, culminating in a Spitfire flypast and pyrotechnic display at dusk.
Which Aircraft Are Performing at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
12 civilian and military display teams are confirmed for the 2026 programme. Teams are drawn from the Royal Navy, RAF, and civilian aviation display circuits.
What Civilian Display Teams Are Flying?
9 civilian and heritage teams are confirmed. These include:
- Royal Navy Black Cats — Close-formation helicopter display flying front-line AW159 Wildcat helicopters
- Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers — Aerobatic performers carrying out stunts on the wings of vintage biplanes
- Jet Pitts — Flown by award-winning pilot Rich Goodwin, combining a piston engine with twin jet turbines
- The Starlings — A 2-aircraft aerobatic team specialising in precision formation flying
- Firebirds — A twilight display team using wingtip pyrotechnics and LED lighting
- RAF Tutor — Used by the RAF and University Air Squadrons to train student pilots
- Jet Provost — A classic British military jet trainer from the Cold War era
- Westland Wasp — A rare ship-borne helicopter demonstrating naval aviation history
- Navy Wings Seafire — The naval variant of the Spitfire, representing British maritime aviation heritage
What RAF Display Teams Are Flying at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
3 RAF display teams complete the flying programme. These are the Red Arrows, Typhoon, and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF).
|
RAF Team |
Flying Days |
|
Red Arrows |
Friday and Saturday |
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RAF Typhoon |
Saturday and Sunday |
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Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) |
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday |
The BBMF features the C47 Dakota, Hurricane, and Spitfire aircraft, offering a tribute to those who served during the Second World War.
What Ground Activities Are at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
Ground-based attractions run alongside the aerial displays across all 3 days. Visitors access them free of charge at Paignton Green.
Activities include:
- Armed Forces village
- Fun fair and carnival stalls
- Live music performances
- Food and drink stalls
- Trade stands and exhibitions
The 2025 event delivered a £5 million boost to the local economy, supporting businesses, hospitality, and tourism across Torbay.
Where Are the Best Viewing Spots at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
Paignton Green is the main viewing area, located directly on the seafront. Several free clifftop vantage points also offer views across the bay.
Recommended locations include:
- Paignton Green — Main event hub with direct seafront access
- Daddyhole Plain — Elevated clifftop viewpoint, ideal for visitors staying in Torquay
- Beacon Quay — Popular coastal vantage point
- Meadfoot Beach — Open bay views
- Thatcher Point — Alternative clifftop position
How Much Does It Cost to Attend the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
Attending the airshow is free. Paid options cover reserved premium seating and car parking.
|
Option |
Cost |
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General Admission |
Free |
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Premium Reserved Seating |
£35 per day |
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Zone 1 Parking (20-min walk) |
Purchasable in advance |
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Premium Parking (on-site) |
Purchasable in advance |
Both parking options include all-day parking from 9am to 11:30pm, plus a free official airshow pin badge and event programme. Visitors are encouraged to book parking in advance at englishrivieraairshow.co.uk.
What Is the History of the English Riviera Airshow?
The English Riviera Airshow has a 10-year history rooted in coastal community aviation events.
Key milestones include:
- 2016 — First event launched as the Torbay Airshow, a free 2-day event organised by Torbay Council
- 2020 — Renamed the English Riviera Airshow; cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 — Cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic
- 2022 — Returned to Paignton seafront
- 2025 — Extended to 3 days for the first time; attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors
- 2026 — Celebrates the 10th anniversary with 12 confirmed display teams
The natural bay and unique curvature of Torbay’s coastline create a distinctive backdrop for aerial displays, and the event has included RAF participation such as the Red Arrows, classic jets, warbirds, and civilian display teams throughout its history.
Why Does the English Riviera Airshow Matter to Torbay’s Economy?
The airshow is Torbay’s largest free annual event and a major driver of regional tourism revenue. It generates measurable economic activity across accommodation, hospitality, and retail sectors.
The 2025 airshow alone delivered a £5 million boost to the local economy. With nearly 200,000 attendees expected in 2026, the event’s economic impact on Paignton and the wider English Riviera area continues to grow year on year.
The airshow is supported by Torbay Council, the English Riviera BID Company, corporate sponsors, local businesses, and individual donors. This collaborative funding model keeps admission free for all visitors.
How to Plan a Visit to the English Riviera Airshow 2026
Plan your visit using these 5 steps:
- Book parking early — Zone 1 and Premium Parking passes sell out; visit englishrivieraairshow.co.uk
- Choose your viewing spot — Paignton Green for the event village; clifftop sites for elevated views
- Check flying times — Friday evening (18:30), Saturday afternoon (12:00), Sunday afternoon (13:00)
- Reserve premium seating — £35 per day for beachside front-row viewing
- Plan accommodation — Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering options are available across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham
The English Riviera Airshow 2026 marks a decade of free coastal aviation in Devon. With 12 confirmed display teams, 3 days of flying, and a programme that includes the Red Arrows, Typhoon, BBMF, and Firebirds, the 10th anniversary event is the largest and most diverse edition to date.
For tickets, parking, and the full event programme, visit englishrivieraairshow.co.uk.
Alex Bradley is a UK-based aviation writer and airshow circuit regular who has spent years attending displays from RIAT at Fairford and the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight to small fly-ins that drew two hundred people and a hot dog van, and values both for entirely different reasons.
He is not a pilot. He is not a PR man for the aviation industry. He is the person in the crowd who has been coming long enough to notice when something has quietly changed, when an organiser is papering over a problem, and when a display is genuinely worth the drive.
His writing on Redhill Airshow covers the British airshow circuit, safety, display team politics, CAA regulations, and the quiet contraction of grass airfield culture that nobody in the industry wants to discuss plainly.
He has stood at Redhill Aerodrome in every kind of English summer weather, watched Tiger Moths bank low over Surrey farmland, and carries strong opinions about what this country is slowly losing one cancelled event at a time.