19 Sep 2026 - 25 Sep 2026
26th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship 2026
Krosno, Poland
Registration Competitor registration will open on 17 September 2026 at 16:00 (4:00 PM). Pilots nominated by their National Airsport Authorities (NACs) have been included in the 1st Round of Invitations. Completion of registration in WatchmeFly by nominated pilots is mandatory. The registration deadline for the 1st round is 10 March 2026 (24:00 local time). Failure to complete registration by this deadline may result in the loss of the allocated entry, in accordance with FAI Sporting Code Section 1. Registration is possible exclusively via WatchmeFly. Competitor registration in Krosno will open on 17 September 2026 at 16:00 (4:00 PM). Ceremonies & Briefings Opening Ceremony: 19 September 2026 General Briefing: 19 September 2026 - 14:00 (2:00 PM) Competition Flights: 20–24 September 2026 First competition flight: 20 September, approx. 06:00 (6:00 AM) Last competition flight: 24 September, approx. 18:00 (6:00 PM) All flight times are indicative only. Exact launch times and competition details will be announced daily during official briefings by the Sports Director and are subject to weather and operational conditions. Closing & Prize Giving Ceremony: 25 September 2026 Further detailed information and the full event schedule will be published here at a later stage.
30 May 2026 - 3 Oct 2026
Northeast Ohio Balloon Pilots Association (NOBPA) Competition Series
Northeast Ohio, United States
Over the course of the 2026 flying season, NOBPA will host up to three (3) sanctioned competitive flights to continue to support competitive ballooning, encourage newer pilots to get involved who are interested in learning about competition and give veteran competitors a chance to compete for points, practice and educate the new.
23 May 2026 - 29 Nov 2026
FLYOWA III
Indianola, Iowa, United States
Flyowa is a monthly competitive invitational series held one weekend each month from May through November. This recurring event invites local pilots to bring their balloons out of hibernation, dust off their electronics, and sharpen their piloting skills through consistent practice for upcoming summer competitions. This will not be a sanctioned event.
8 May 2026 - 6 Dec 2026
Mid Michigan Competition Series
FIshers IN, United States
Mid Michigan Competition Series is a series of competition flights held each month from May through early December. This recurring event invites local pilots dust off their electronics, and practice balloon live for upcoming summer competitions. This will not be a sanctioned event.
Various places, Sweden
1 Jul 2026 - 31 May 2027
2026 -2027 Top Gun Annual
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, NM, United States
This is the Top Gun Balloon Club Monthly Scoring Event held in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho, New Mexico for the flying year 6/1/26 thru 5/31/27.