Cosford, June 14, 2026, 16:02 (BST).
- The RAF Cosford Air Show was sold out, with local reports saying more than 50,000 visitors were expected.
- The flying lineup has the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, F-35B, RAF Falcons, French Rafale and older aircraft.
- No tickets available at the gate, officials said. Roads near the base will be closed from 07:00 until 17:30.
RAF Cosford Air Show hit a full sell-out on Sunday as it came back to Shropshire. Organisers told anyone who didn’t have advance tickets not to come, saying they wouldn’t get in. Shropshire Live put the crowd at over 50,000 expected at RAF Cosford. Organisers call the show the last official Royal Air Force air show.
The 2026 show theme is “Engineering the Future of the Royal Air Force.” Organisers are tying fast-jet displays, vintage planes and STEM exhibits to the need for new skills in air power. The list of planes includes RAF Red Arrows, RAF Typhoon, RAF F-35B, RAF Chinook, RAF Falcons, the French Rafale, several Battle of Britain Memorial Flight planes and B-17 Sally B. Military Airshows
BBC focused on Bradley Lefley-Kemp, an apprentice aircraft mechanic technician taking part in a glider display at Cosford. This taps into the bigger theme of the event—Cosford working as both a showground and an RAF training base, so the programme spotlights aircraft and upcoming technical roles.
Safety steps picked up ahead of the show. BBC-linked reports said first responders got air-show emergency training before things kicked off. Official advice says there are medical sites on the grounds, and drones are off limits for six miles around RAF Cosford due to airspace rules.
Ticket demand for the sold-out event is pushing some people to look elsewhere. The Shropshire Star is suggesting options for those without entry. But organisers are taking a harder line: no gate sales, and they warn not to travel unless you have a ticket already. Rules also ban stopping, parking, and viewing on certain local roads during the event.
Main road closures are set for 07:00 to 17:30, hitting routes like Newport Road, Rectory Road, Green Lane, Bowling Green Lane, and Kennel Lane. Organisers said drivers should stick to event signs instead of sat-navs near the base. Cosford railway station, close to the showground, will be busy and has no disabled access, they also warned.
Public gates were set for 08:00, with flying running until around 17:30 and showground attractions to stay open through 19:00. The official FAQ warns display timings might shift, so the day’s flow depends on the main flying program and getting tens of thousands of people on and off the RAF base.
