The Southport Airshow 2026 takes place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August. Car parks open at 9:00am, gates open at 10:00am, flying displays begin around midday, and the show closes at approximately 18:00 each day. The event attracts around 150,000 spectators, making it the North West’s largest airshow.
For official aviation safety context, see the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For the previous guide in this series, see Portrush Airshow 2026: Postponement, History, 2028 Return, and 3 Key Facts Visitors Need to Know.
What Is the Southport Airshow?
The Southport Airshow is an annual 2-day aviation event held on Southport Beach, Merseyside. It has taken place in Southport, Merseyside, England, since 1991. The flying programme includes military and civilian aircraft, classic jets, helicopters, aerobatics, warbirds, and parachute displays.
The Southport Airshow is unusual in 3 respects. The beach is deep enough for displays over sand, whereas other seaside shows fly over water. Tickets are required for the best views. Some light aircraft can land on the beach before main displays, allowing ground aircraft movements.
Where Does the Southport Airshow Take Place?
The Southport Airshow takes place along the seafront at Southport Beach, Merseyside. The event postcode is PR8 1RY. The annual Air Show takes place at Southport Beach and is a short walk from Southport train station.
What Are the Southport Airshow 2026 Times?
The Southport Airshow 2026 opens at 10:00am and closes at approximately 18:00 on both days. Flying displays begin around midday and run until approximately 17:00.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
09:00 |
Car parks open |
|
10:00 |
Gates open; ground attractions begin |
|
~12:00 |
Flying display programme starts |
|
~17:00 |
Flying display programme ends |
|
~18:00 |
Show closes |
Note: Flying times can change throughout the weekend. Organisers endeavour to keep times updated on the official website and social media channels.
What Time Do Car Parks Open at Southport Airshow?
Car parks open at 09:00am on both Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August. Car parks open from 09:00, with the exception of beach parking and Marine Drive, which open at 10:00am. Arriving at 09:00 provides the best chance of securing parking before peak crowds arrive.
What Time Does the Flying Display Start at Southport Airshow?
The flying display starts around midday and ends around 17:00 on both days. Gates open at 10:00 and attractions are also open at this time. On both days, the show closes at approximately 18:00.
Display times are fixed in advance due to CAA airspace coordination. When formation teams like the Red Arrows fly, they give prior notice of their route to the Civil Aviation Authority so other aircraft can keep clear. The time of the clear airspace cannot be changed at short notice, meaning displays and journeys are timed with extremely little flexibility.
What Aircraft Are Flying at Southport Airshow 2026?
The Southport Airshow 2026 has confirmed the RAF Tutor T1 as a flying display act. The full aircraft schedule is being updated as confirmations are finalised. The flying programme includes a mixture of military and civilian aircraft, classic jets, warbirds, helicopters, aerobatics, and parachute displays.
What Military and Aerobatic Aircraft Flew at Southport in 2025?
The 2025 edition featured 8 notable acts. Examples include:
- RAF Typhoon — fast jet display
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight — Lancaster, Spitfire, and Hurricane
- RAF Grob Tutor — RAF trainer aircraft display
- Mélanie Astles — 5-time French aerobatics champion
- Richard Goodwin — aerobatic display pilot
- Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers — formation wingwalking act
- Team Raven — civilian aerobatic display team
- L-39 Albatros and A-26 Invader — rare warbird additions
The RAF gave great support with the Typhoon, Grob Tutor, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight trio, including the Lancaster. The 2026 programme is expected to expand as the show date approaches.
How Much Are Southport Airshow 2026 Tickets?
Southport Airshow 2026 tickets are priced at £12 per adult, with under-16s admitted free. Tickets are £12 plus a small booking fee. Children under 16 years of age are free. Tickets are available online or on the gate on the day.
There are 3 ticket categories:
- General Admission — valid for either Saturday or Sunday
- Pier Admission — day-specific tickets for viewing from Southport Pier; limited availability
- Carer Tickets — free with eligible disability documentation
General admission tickets are valid for either day. Pier admission tickets are bought for a specific day and cannot be transferred. Children under 16 are free on all days for general admission.
Are Carer Tickets Available at Southport Airshow?
Carer tickets are available free of charge at the box office on the day. If you have a disability that necessitates a carer, your carer is welcomed free of charge on the day. A carers ticket is issued at the box office following the production of eligible documentation such as Carers Allowance, Attendance Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance.
How Do You Get to the Southport Airshow 2026?
The nearest train station is Southport, a 10-minute walk from the event. Merseyrail offers a £2 return ticket offer (£1 for children) for Southport Air Show visitors. Organisers recommend public transport as the preferred travel method.
Where Can You Park at Southport Airshow 2026?
Parking costs £10 per car, per day, payable on the day at 4 locations. Car parks are at:
- Marine Drive — beachfront location, opens 10:00am
- Princes Park — off the promenade
- Esplanade car park — accessible hard-standing; coaches directed here
- Victoria Park — 5-minute walk from the seafront; some grass parking
Accessible hard-standing parking spaces are available at the Esplanade and Marine Drive car parks. Accessible parking spaces are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis on presentation of an official blue disability badge.
Can You Get the Train to Southport Airshow?
Yes. Southport station is a 10-minute walk from the airshow site. Northern Rail operates direct services to Southport from Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, Bolton, and Wigan. Merseyrail runs direct services to Liverpool airport and city centre, with connecting services nationwide.
What Ground Activities Are at the Southport Airshow?
The Southport Airshow features over 8 ground activities alongside the flying programme. The show features trade stands, interactive and educational displays, simulators, military vehicles, assault courses, bungee trampolines, and children’s activities.
Ground activities include:
- Simulated beach battle — army reserve forces with explosions and military vehicles
- Southport Model Aero Club — model aircraft display before the main programme
- Interactive simulators — aviation and military themed
- Food vendors — hot and cold food and drinks throughout both days
- Accessible viewing areas — 2 locations on the seawall near the fish wind display and near the Pier
What Is the History of the Southport Airshow?
The Southport Airshow has run annually since 1991, making it one of the UK’s longest-running seaside air displays. The first show was the brainchild of Tourism and Attractions employee Mark Brammar.
The airshow has a history of notable appearances. Examples include:
- 2015 — final ever appearance of Vulcan XH558, escorted by the Red Arrows
- 2022 — return after COVID-19, featuring the Republic of Korea Air Force “Black Eagles”
- 2025 — improved traffic management and access systems praised by visitors
The Southport Airshow was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was also cancelled in 2021 because of continued uncertainty over large-scale events.
Key Facts: Southport Airshow 2026 at a Glance
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Dates |
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 August 2026 |
|
Location |
Southport Beach, Merseyside, PR8 1RY |
|
Car parks open |
09:00am |
|
Gates open |
10:00am |
|
Flying display start |
~12:00pm |
|
Flying display end |
~17:00pm |
|
Show closes |
~18:00pm |
|
Adult ticket price |
£12 |
|
Under-16s |
Free |
|
Parking cost |
£10 per car per day |
|
Train station |
Southport (10-minute walk) |
|
Official radio |
Dune Radio — DAB+ and duneradio.co.uk |
The Southport Airshow 2026 is one of the UK’s premier summer aviation events. Its beach-based location, free entry for under-16s, and 35-year history make it the leading air display in the North West.
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.