The Torquay airshow — officially the English Riviera Airshow 2026 — takes place from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May over Paignton seafront, Torbay. Flying display times are Friday 18:30–21:30, Saturday 12:00–16:00, and Sunday 13:00–16:00. Admission is free, and the event marks a major milestone: 10 years since the inaugural airshow in 2016.
For official aviation safety context, see the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For the previous guide in this series, see Malta Airshow 2026: Biennial Schedule, 2027 Return, History, and 5 Key Facts Every Aviation Fan Needs.
What Is the English Riviera Airshow?
The English Riviera Airshow is a free, 3-day coastal aviation event held annually over Torbay, Devon, organised by Torbay Council and the English Riviera BID Company. It has wowed spectators annually since 2016, is held over 3 days, and is the first event in the UK’s airshow calendar.
The flying displays take place against the backdrop of the English Riviera, which holds UNESCO Global Geopark status — a designation that recognises its internationally significant geology and the dramatic character of its cliffs, sheltered coves, and broad sandy bays.
Where Exactly Does the Torquay Airshow Take Place?
The main display area is Paignton Green, on the seafront at Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ4 6BG. Torbay’s natural curve creates a bay-wide amphitheatre, with flying visible from multiple coastal vantage points. Great clifftop vantage sites are available across the Bay. Visitors staying in Torquay are recommended to watch from Daddyhole Plain, while Beacon Quay, Meadfoot Beach, and Thatcher Point are also popular viewing locations.
What Are the English Riviera Airshow 2026 Flying Times?
The flying display times for the English Riviera Airshow 2026 are 3 distinct sessions across 3 days. Each day has a different format.
|
Day |
Flying Display Times |
Format |
|
Friday 29 May |
18:30 – 21:30 |
Evening “Take Off” spectacular |
|
Saturday 30 May |
12:00 – 16:00 |
Full daytime flying programme |
|
Sunday 31 May |
13:00 – 16:00 |
Full daytime flying programme |
What Happens on Friday Night at the Torquay Airshow?
Friday evening is a dedicated “Take Off” night event with live entertainment, a Spitfire flypast at dusk, and pyrotechnic aerial displays. The evening culminates in a breathtaking Spitfire flypast and pyrotechnic aerial display at dusk. Following its resounding success in 2025, the opening night spectacular returns in 2026.
The Friday evening session runs from 18:30 to 21:30, making it the only night flying programme at any major UK coastal airshow.
What Aircraft Are Confirmed for the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
The English Riviera Airshow 2026 has confirmed 10 military and civilian display acts. Among the newly confirmed acts are the Royal Navy Black Cats, Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, Jet Pitts, Firebirds, and The Starlings, joining headline RAF displays including the Red Arrows, Typhoon, and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Which Days Do Each Aircraft Fly?
The confirmed military aircraft schedule is as follows:
|
Aircraft |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|
Red Arrows – Hawk T1 x7 |
✓ |
✓ |
— |
|
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 |
— |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Grob Tutor T1 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
BBMF Dakota III |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
BBMF Supermarine Spitfire |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
BBMF Hawker Hurricane IIc |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
What Is Unique About the Red Arrows at the 2026 English Riviera Airshow?
Wing Commander Sasha Nash leads the Red Arrows at the 2026 English Riviera Airshow — the first woman in history to command the team. Wing Cdr Sasha Nash took over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins as the most senior officer in the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, and the English Riviera Airshow will be one of her first public appearances in her new leadership role.
What Civilian Aircraft Are Flying at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
The civilian lineup features 5 confirmed display acts. Examples include:
- Royal Navy Black Cats — high-energy helicopter display using AW159 Wildcat aircraft
- Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers — daring stunts performed on top of vintage biplanes
- Jet Pitts (Rich Goodwin) — jet-powered aerobatic performance flying
- Firebirds — civilian aerobatic display team
- The Starlings — close-formation aerobatic team
The Royal Navy Black Cats perform their high-energy helicopter display using AW159 Wildcat helicopters, while the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers return with their daring stunts atop vintage biplanes. Award-winning pilot Rich Goodwin also appears with the Jet Pitts, combining aerobatics with jet-powered performance flying.
Is the Torquay Airshow 2026 Free?
Yes. The English Riviera Airshow 2026 is free to attend. The airshow is free to attend and is funded by various partners — Torbay Council, English Riviera BID Company, and many corporate sponsors, individual donors, and others.
Premium seating and parking packages are available to pre-book online for visitors who prefer reserved spaces. Donations are encouraged to support the ongoing delivery of the event.
What Ground Activities Are at the English Riviera Airshow 2026?
The English Riviera Airshow 2026 features 6 ground activity areas on Paignton Green alongside the flying programme. Visitors can take in all the fun of the fair with rides and carnival stalls on Paignton Green, pick up food and drink from a wide array of stalls, and visit the RAF Red Arrows, Royal Navy, and Army crews. There will also be activity on the water throughout the weekend.
Ground attractions include:
- Armed Forces village — interactive military exhibitions with RAF, Royal Navy, and Army
- Funfair and carnival attractions — rides and amusement stalls on Paignton Green
- Live music performances — acts across all 3 days of the event
- Food and drink stalls — local South West traders and exhibitors
- Craft fair — artisan vendors along the seafront
- Water-based activities — displays and demonstrations in Torbay
The event has on-the-ground experiences including a military village, funfair, craft fair, live performances, and an array of local South West traders and exhibitors.
What Is the Economic Impact of the English Riviera Airshow?
The English Riviera Airshow generates £5 million for the local economy each year. The 2025 event delivered a £5 million boost to the local economy, supporting businesses, hospitality, and tourism across the Bay.
Each year, the Airshow attracts almost 200,000 people to the English Riviera. The 10th anniversary edition in 2026 is expected to draw its largest audience to date, with accommodation bookings across Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham filling early.
What Is the History of the Torquay Airshow?
The Torquay airshow has operated annually since 2016, previously under the name “Torbay Airshow” before rebranding in 2020. It is generally the first free seaside show of the year and often the first display of the season by major teams such as the Red Arrows. In 2018, the show drew crowds of 165,000 over 2 days, benefitting the local economy to the tune of £7 million.
The English Riviera Airshow was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2022. The 2025 edition was the first to span 3 full days, a format retained for the 2026 10th anniversary edition.
Key Facts: English Riviera Airshow 2026 at a Glance
|
Detail |
Information |
|
Dates |
Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May 2026 |
|
Location |
Paignton Green, Esplanade Road, TQ4 6BG |
|
Admission |
Free |
|
Friday flying times |
18:30 – 21:30 |
|
Saturday flying times |
12:00 – 16:00 |
|
Sunday flying times |
13:00 – 16:00 |
|
Confirmed RAF acts |
Red Arrows, Typhoon, Grob Tutor, BBMF |
|
BBMF aircraft |
Dakota, Spitfire, Hurricane — all 3 days |
|
Civilian acts |
Black Cats, Wingwalkers, Jet Pitts, Firebirds, Starlings |
|
Anniversary |
10th year since 2016 inaugural event |
|
Expected visitors |
~200,000 |
|
Economic impact |
£5 million per year |
|
Organiser |
Torbay Council + English Riviera BID Company |
The English Riviera Airshow 2026 is the UK’s first major free coastal airshow of the season. Its 10th anniversary programme, 3-day format, evening flying session, and confirmed Red Arrows debut under new commander Wing Cdr Sasha Nash make it one of the most significant airshow events in the UK this year.
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.