Frequently Asked Questions
Ticket Questions
Advance Tickets (for all types of seating) can be purchased online from our website through our partnership with Eventsprout. General Admission tickets may be purchased. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD ONSITE.
The easiest way to get your tickets is to find your email order confirmation; tickets are usually attached as a PDF file you can print. Can’t find them, having trouble printing, or other questions visit Eventsprout Zendesk here.
General Admission tickets simply get you in the gate to the Airshow. You are responsible for your own seating during the show.
Mather Club chalet provides indoor and outdoor seating areas along the front line allowing you a great view of the Airshow, and private restrooms.
The Hangar chalet provides indoor and outdoor seating areas along the front line allowing you a great view of the Airshow, private restrooms, unlimited 4oz tasters from Barrel District vendors, access to purchase food from Sacto MoFo food truck(s) and purchase full-size Barrel District refreshments throughout the day.
Flight Line Club provides many great benefits, including indoor and outdoor seating areas, private upgraded restrooms, catered food and beverages from 4:30pm-7:30pm.
Capital Club is our VIP chalet at Airshow center that includes indoor and outdoor seating areas, catered food from 4:30pm-7:30pm, endless non-alcoholic beverages and an open bar for your enjoyment.
Visit our Tickets page for more details. Become an Airshow Insider & purchase early for best pricing!
No. You must use the reserved Mather Club, The Hangar, Flight Line Club and Capital Club tickets for the day for which they are purchased. The premium venue areas have limited seating and tickets are sold for the number of seats available each day. You can transfer tickets to a different day by utilizing Eventsprout’s Zendesk here. General Admission tickets are good for either Saturday or Sunday.
We support our troops both past and present! Retired and Active Duty Military can purchase tickets at the Beale and Travis ITT offices for a deep discount. Please contact each office for hours of operation and ticket pricing. Discounted military tickets will not be available at the Airshow gate, so plan ahead and purchase your discounted tickets in advance! All proceeds from military member ticket sales go directly to fund Airshow scholarships awarded annually to students pursuing college education in fields of science, technology, engineering mathematics, aviation or aeronautics.
Each Adult General Admission ticket includes 6 FREE Youth/Children (ages 15 and under) tickets. Also, children 5 years old and under are free for General Admission tickets only. If more children are attending than what is covered with purchased Adult General Tickets, you will need to purchase Youth/Child’s tickets. For all other ticket options (Mather Club, The Hangar, Flight Line Club, Capital Club) a ticket is required for ages 2 and up. Please check our Tickets page for additional information and current ticket prices.
We have gone contactless! Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. We have limited capacity this year, so make sure to purchase your tickets early.
Our fans have asked for more shade, so we have eliminated Grandstand/Bleacher seating and added a new premium venue, The Hangar.
Yes, premium ticket options are available for purchase. Please see our Tickets page for current pricing and availability.
Airplane rides are not available this year.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds on airshow tickets. Rest assured, the airshow is a rain-or-shine event. You should know that all performers have high, low and flat shows that can safely accommodate for different types of weather. There are also going to be amazing display aircraft on the ground. Aircraft (especially military) are subject to operational requirements. Aircraft and performers are subject to change without notice. If anything changes, we’ll let you know.
Currently, there are no State or Local mandates regarding masks, vaccinations or negative test results at the Airshow. We remain in communication with the Public Health department. The Airshow will comply with all State and Local mandates at the time of the event. If and when mandates change, we will inform all ticket purchasers immediately. The Airshow has implemented limited-capacity this year to provide ample space for all attendees to spread out, including in the upgraded seating options as well as decreased the amount of high-touch areas along the ramp.
Getting to the Airshow
Mather Airport is located just 10 miles from downtown Sacramento and adjacent to Rancho Cordova. For accurate directions depending on your location please use Google Maps. Driving directions can also be found here.
Unfortunately, with our Airshow starting and ending later — fly-in aircraft are not permitted this year.
Check out the local hotels through the Rancho Cordova Travel and Tourism website.
PARKING
Parking is FREE with the purchase of an admission ticket. It does not include exit and re-entry.
Yes. You must have a handicapped plate or tag in the car and make sure the parkers flagging your car are aware of your handicapped status. They will direct you to the handicapped parking areas. Handicapped parking is limited and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Please arrive early to insure a parking spot. A map to these areas may be found on the Directions & Parking page.
Yes. There is a small, hard-top surface for motorcycle parking. Parking lot attendants will direct you to the specific area. Motorcycle parking is limited and is on a first-come-first-served basis. Please arrive early to insure a parking spot.
No. Even if you have purchased tickets, loitering is not permitted in the parking lots.
Yes, keep your ticket stub and get your hand stamped as you exit.
Yes, FREE bicycle parking is available at the Airshow. Once you enter the parking lot, the attendants will direct you the designated bicycle parking area.
For Regional Transit rates and bus and train schedules, please visit the Regional Transit website. There is no additional bus or light rail services from Mather Mills Station to Mather Airport. California Capital Airshow tickets are not valid as a form of payment for Regional Transit.
What Can I bring?
Motorized scooters and wheelchairs for disabled patrons are allowed in the Airshow grounds; personal golf carts are not allowed. There are also people-mover trams running the length of the Airshow grounds that can be ridden. Please be aware that the crowds may be heavy and maneuvering may be difficult, and that there is no place at the show to plug in and “recharge.”
Seating is not included with General Admission tickets so please feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.
We are very aware of the hot temperatures Sacramento is experiencing. Because of this, we’re modifying some of our Airshow policies for 2024’s Evening Show. Our priority is your safety and that of your family and friends. Please make sure all stay well hydrated. For this weekend’s Evening Airshow, we are welcoming sealed water bottles and coolers into the show for personal consumption only.
Baby food, pre-packaged/sealed snack food and whole fruit are allowed into the Airshow.
For the safety of attendees and the animals, pets are not allowed on show grounds. Certified service animals are permitted, this does not include companion animals.
Due to security and safety concerns, tents, beach umbrellas, awnings and the like are not permitted on show grounds. Personal, hand-held umbrellas, not to exceed 48 inches in diameter, are permitted.
Yes, small strollers and wagons are permitted. However, they will be subject to search.
Yes, cameras and video recorders are allowed.
In the interest of everyone’s safety, the California Capital Airshow is a no drone zone. In accordance with FAA issued Temporary Flight Restrictions, drone operations will be prohibited within 5 miles of Mather Airport.
No, all vendors will accept debit/credit cards for all purchases. We are a cashless event, cards are accepted by all vendors.
SHOW QUESTIONS
From supersonic-speed jets to gravity-defying aerobatic acts to wing-walkers, parachutists, and a host of on-the-ground displays and activities, a day at the Airshow is a fantastic and memorable experience, whether you’re an avid aviation fan or just love a great show. Tens of millions of spectators attend air shows every year, and the air show industry represents one of the very largest, — if not the largest — outdoor professional sports in North America. Moderately priced for families and individuals of all ages, this is one show you won’t want to miss. Buy your tickets today!
July 13-14, 2024! This is our one and only Airshow in 2024!
Airshow parking gates open Saturday & Sunday at 3:30 p.m., traffic will turn to outbound at 7:00 p.m. — please make sure you arrive prior to this time. Flying performances begin at 5:30 p.m. and conclude at 9:30 p.m. each day.
If you’d like to get to the airshow early – please arrive as close to the gate/airshow open times as possible. Though it might seem completely counterintuitive, arriving at the airshow show early actually slows down traffic flow onto the air show grounds. The “ON TIME” recommendation is for all ticket types. Thank you!
Airplane rides are not permitted this year.
There will be multiple closures Thursday, July 11 – Sunday, July 14 – please check your NOTAMS before departing.
A list of performers is listed on the Performers page. Unfortunately, the schedule is not solidified until the morning of the Airshow to allow for security, safety, weather and operational concerns.
Generally, yes, the show is the same. However, there may be some variations depending on special aircraft, which may make only a one-day fly-by appearance. More information may be found on our Performers page.
Shaded areas are available in Mather Club, The Hangar, Flight Line Club and Capital Club — specific tickets are required for these areas. For General Admission, limited shade may be found under the wings of static display aircraft but is limited. Guests are encouraged to bring sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and portable, hand-held umbrellas for their comfort.
Yes! Many of the feature pilots and crew make themselves available before or after their performances to meet their audience. Many of the WWII-era and military crews are at their aircraft during static viewing times and are happy to answer questions and pose with you for photos. There is also an Autograph Tent near show center. Airshow performers will stop in before or after their performances.
The Airshow strongly encourages you to bring and use proper hearing protection such as quality ear plugs, and especially so for children. The noise from the jet engines and pyrotechnic explosions may be painful or harmful for some. This is especially true if you are viewing the show from the front line. For young children who may tend to play with and/or remove the foam type plugs, a suggested alternative is sound muffs (available at most sporting goods stores, and generally available in children’s size). Please make your own choices on this matter and protect your hearing.
The airshow has made every effort to accommodate those with special needs. Some of the accommodations offered include, a handicap parking area and ADA portable restrooms. The event space is mostly concrete and maneuverable with a wheelchair/scooter/walker etc. The event space is EXTREMELY LARGE, so make sure to plan for breaks throughout the day and assistance as needed.
The Airshow will not be televised and unauthorized broadcast of the show is prohibited. To see all aspects of the Airshow, you need to attend.
It takes more than a few drops of rain to stop the California Capital Airshow! The Airshow will take place — rain or shine both Saturday and Sunday. Airshow performers have high, low and flat routines to adapt to varying weather conditions. Schedules may be altered or delayed for periods of time if heavy rainfall occurs. All display aircraft, concessions and exhibits will be open regardless of weather.
The master concessionaire makes every effort to ensure menu items are suitable for all guests.
The Airshow will have a large variety of food available for purchase, including local barbecue, local cuisines, fried food specialties, dessert specialties, signature salads, boxed lunches, reception stations, and other concession services, all representative of the spirit and flavor of Sacramento.
Yes, medical personnel will be on site and a first aid center will be open.
Portable chairs, strollers, cameras, sealed bottles of water, cash or debit/credit cards for concessions (ATMs are NOT available), sunscreen, earplugs, blankets and handheld umbrellas (less than 48 inches in diameter) are items air show veterans tend to pack.
The following items are prohibited from the Airshow grounds: large coolers(exceeding 9 Quarts and/or 10in. x 12in. x 11in.), loose ice, cans, glass, alcohol, pets, weapons of any kind, tents, awnings, cooking/barbecue equipment. Please note cooking and barbequing equipment are NOT allowed in the parking lots (for example, you are not allowed to barbeque in the parking lot for lunch).
No. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the ramp or in the grass parking areas.
No, California Capital Airshow tickets are not valid as a form of payment for Regional Transit.