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Every Blue Angels season starts in the desert. The US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron spends the winter training at Naval Air Facility El Centro in California’s Imperial Valley, and traditionally opens its show season there. For 2027 the date is confirmed: the NAF El Centro Festival of Flight on Saturday 13 March 2027 is the first show on the team’s official schedule.
Here is what we know so far, why this show matters after 2026, and what comes next on the 2027 calendar.
Blue Angels 2027 season opener: key facts
| Event | NAF El Centro Festival of Flight |
| Date | Saturday 13 March 2027 (one day, per the Blue Angels schedule) |
| Venue | Naval Air Facility El Centro, Imperial County, California |
| Team | US Navy Blue Angels, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and C-130J “Fat Albert” |
| Official information | El Centro Airshow website and the Blue Angels show schedule |
Show times, the full performer line-up and seating options for 2027 have not been published yet. The Blue Angels note that their schedules can change without notice, so check the official sites before you book travel.
Why El Centro is the Blue Angels’ second home
The team is based at NAS Pensacola in Florida, but each winter it moves to NAF El Centro to train new demonstration pilots and work up the show. Reliable desert weather and open airspace make it an ideal place for intensive practice, so much of each year’s show is polished in the skies over the Imperial Valley before the first public performance.
El Centro has also seen some memorable moments. In March 2021, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds debuted their joint 12-jet “Super Delta” formation over Fat Albert at NAF El Centro, during joint training before the season.
After a cancelled 2026 show, a big return
The opener did not happen at El Centro in 2026. In early March 2026, NAF El Centro cancelled its 14 March air show because of heightened security measures and force protection requirements, and refunds were issued for premium seating. The Blue Angels’ 2026 season instead began at MCAS Yuma in Arizona on the same date. At the time, the base’s commanding officer said the team would focus on making 2027 “an EPIC AIRSHOW”, according to the El Centro Airshow website.
That makes the 2027 show a homecoming of sorts for local fans, and a good reason to plan early. Because it is held on an active military base, security rules can change at short notice. Follow the base and air show channels for the latest updates.
The early 2027 Blue Angels schedule
If El Centro does not suit you, the opening weeks of 2027 give several other chances to see the team. From the official schedule:
| Date | Show | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13 March | NAF El Centro Festival of Flight | NAF El Centro, California |
| 20–21 March | California Capital Air Show | Sacramento, California |
| 3–4 April | MCAS Beaufort Air Show | MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina |
| 10–11 April | Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo | Lakeland, Florida |
| 17–18 April | Thunder Over Georgia Air Show | Robins AFB, Georgia |
| 24–25 April | Wings Over Cowtown Air Show | NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas |
The season closes, as always, in Pensacola: the Pensacola Beach Air Show on 17 July and the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on 5–6 November 2027. Still hoping to catch the team in 2026? See our round-up of the remaining Blue Angels and Thunderbirds dates, including the 2026 Pensacola homecoming on 6–7 November. For a different kind of show, our Stuart Air Show night show guide covers the 13–15 November show in Florida, with its fireworks and drone finale.
Tips for a desert air show
- Sun protection. Military flight lines have little shade, and desert sun is strong even in March. Bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Seating. Plan to bring a folding chair or blanket unless you buy premium seating, and check the 2027 rules on chairs and umbrellas when they are published.
- Hearing protection. Six Super Hornets at low level are very loud. Ear defenders are essential for children.
- ID and security. Expect bag checks and security screening at a base event, and leave prohibited items at home.
- Arrive early. Base gates and traffic routes can be slow on show day.
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For young fans who want to know more about the team before the show:
Our Amazon product boxes go to the US store (Amazon.com), so prices show in US dollars and can change at any time. If you are buying from outside the US, check delivery and import charges before you order.
More reading: our guide to the best airshows in the USA, the companion US airshows podcast episode, and our look at why airshows are the ultimate celebration of aviation. All upcoming events are on the AviatorFinds events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Blue Angels start their 2027 season?
The Blue Angels’ 2027 season opens on Saturday 13 March 2027 at the NAF El Centro Festival of Flight in El Centro, California.
Was there a Blue Angels show at El Centro in 2026?
No. NAF El Centro cancelled its 14 March 2026 air show because of heightened security measures. The Blue Angels opened their 2026 season at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, instead.
Why do the Blue Angels train at El Centro?
The team spends the winter at NAF El Centro, where reliable desert weather and open airspace allow intensive practice before the show season begins.
What other shows do the Blue Angels fly in spring 2027?
After El Centro, the 2027 schedule includes Sacramento (20–21 March), MCAS Beaufort (3–4 April), Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland (10–11 April), Robins AFB (17–18 April) and NAS JRB Fort Worth (24–25 April).
When is the 2027 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show?
The 2027 Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola is scheduled for 5–6 November 2027.
Plan your 2027 air show season
Browse upcoming shows on our events calendar, or find airports and flight schools in the AviatorFinds directory.
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