The organisers behind the new Hampshire Air Festival have unveiled a ‘Founding 200’ initiative designed to help businesses and individuals play a direct role in bringing the county’s newest airshow to life.
Set to take place at Thruxton Aerodrome on the 12th and 13th September 2026, the inaugural Hampshire Air Festival promises a packed weekend celebrating the ‘Age of Flight’, featuring flying displays, static aircraft exhibits and a Saturday evening programme combining pyrotechnic aerobatics, drone displays and fireworks.
The newly announced Founding 200 scheme aims to provide early financial backing for the event while giving supporters recognition as part of the festival’s foundation. Limited to just 200 participants, membership is available for £300 plus VAT, with businesses and individuals receiving visibility as founding supporters as the event establishes itself.
As an added incentive, three members of the Founding 200 will be randomly upgraded to premium Key Sponsor packages worth approximately £20,000 each. These enhanced sponsorships will associate the recipient with one of the festival’s flagship elements – the Flying Display, Evening Extravaganza or Ground Attractions, including the STEM area – and include benefits such as VIP hospitality, weekend tickets and access to a dedicated business networking event.
Organisers say the initiative reflects the changing landscape of event funding, broadening opportunities for organisations and aviation enthusiasts alike to contribute to the creation of a major new public event from its earliest stages.
In addition to the airshow itself, Hampshire Air Festival will host its first Business Networking Day on Friday 11 September at Thruxton Aerodrome. Delivered in partnership with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the event will provide professionals with the opportunity to network in the unique setting of an operational airshow venue ahead of the public weekend.
Event organiser Jonathan Moore said: “Launching a new airshow requires both experience and belief. The Founding 200 allows businesses and individuals to be part of that journey from the outset, helping to create something that we intend to grow year on year.”
The Hampshire Air Festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of September 2026, with organisers hoping the combination of aviation, entertainment and community engagement will establish it as a new fixture on the UK airshow calendar.
You can find out more about Founding 200 here.