2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show Generates $39 Million in Economic Impact

PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. (September 29, 2026) — The Pensacola Beach Air Show generated an estimated $38.8 million in economic impact in the Pensacola area in 2026, according to a new study conducted by Downs & St. Germain Research for Visit Pensacola.

The 2026 show attracted an estimated 206,700 total attendees, representing 133,500 unique attendees after accounting for people who attended on multiple days. Of those unique attendees, 73,500 were visitors from outside Escambia County.

Those out-of-county visitors generated $25.42 million in direct spending on accommodations, restaurants, groceries, transportation, attractions, entertainment, shopping and other expenses. The visitors also generated 41,300 paid lodging nights throughout the Pensacola area.

“We know how much people love coming to Pensacola Beach for the Air Show, but seeing that impact reflected in these numbers is pretty remarkable,” said Mike Burns, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority. “This air show is an economic driver that reaches far beyond the beach, and these numbers demonstrate just how important this event is to our entire community.”

The typical out-of-county travel party consisted of 3.4 people, stayed an average of 2.3 nights and spent $1,180 in the area while attending the Air Show. Sixty-five percent of out-of-county visitors stayed in paid accommodations, with those visitors averaging 3.7 nights.

Perhaps the most significant tourism finding is that 70% of out-of-county visitors said the Air Show was their main reason for coming to the area. That means seven out of 10 non-local visitors identified the event as the primary draw for their trip.

The study also shows continued growth in the event’s economic contribution. Total economic impact increased from $31.5 million in 2025 to $38.8 million in 2026, while direct visitor spending increased from $20.6 million to $25.4 million. Unique attendance grew from 124,000 to 133,500.

The number of out-of-county visitors reached 73,500, representing 55% of all unique attendees.

The economic impact figure includes direct visitor spending as well as the indirect and induced economic activity generated by those tourism dollars. Downs & St. Germain Research used IMPLAN economic impact modeling to calculate total economic output based on direct expenditure data collected from visitors to the Pensacola area. Spending by local residents is not included in the economic impact calculation.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority extends a special thank you to Visit Pensacola for commissioning and coordinating the economic impact study and to Downs & St. Germain Research for conducting the research and analysis.

“The value of having this data is that it gives our community a clear picture of what the Pensacola Beach Air Show means economically,” Burns said. “We appreciate Visit Pensacola for making this research possible and for helping us quantify the impact of an event that brings so many visitors to our destination from across the region and beyond.”

The annual Pensacola Beach Air Show features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, along with military and civilian aviation performances, and is one of Escambia County’s signature summer events that takes place every July.

About the Santa Rosa Island Authority

Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County, Fla., and is under the direction of the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA). The SRIA was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 under Chapter 24500. The SRIA does not receive tax support from the taxpayers of the county. It is fully funded from lease fees collected from business and residences on the beach. The Island Authority board is made up of six members, five are named by members of the Escambia County Board of Commissioners whose term is the same as the commissioner who appointed them. Registered voters on Pensacola Beach elect the sixth member. The elected member’s term is two years.