03/17/2025
🎉BIG NEWS!🎉
After an extensive, four-month written bid proposal process and negotiations, the Old West Balloon Fest Board of Directors and Scotts Bluff County have been awarded a three-year contract by the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) to be the host location of the 2026, 2027 and 2028 U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships.
The National Championship is an annual week-long competition that brings together the top 50 hot air balloon pilots from across the United States as they compete to win the US National Championship with the top three pilots advancing to attend the bi-annual World Championship.
For those who remember the US Nationals Championships in 2019-2021 in Scotts Bluff County, NE, it means increasing the number of balloons in our gorgeous Western Nebraska Skies. Approximately 80+ balloons will participate in the US Nationals and Old West Balloon Fest. The addition of daily competition with 50 competitors is thrilling and a one-of-a-kind experience for spectators and balloon enthusiasts.
Preparations for hosting the US Nationals are already underway with the Old West Balloon Fest Board of Directors and the US National Organizing Committee. The priority is securing business sponsorships, landowner permission, and individual participation by those who wish to volunteer.
Dates for the 2025 Old West Balloon Fest celebration have been moved to coincide with the dates for the U.S. National Championships in 2026, 2027, and 2028. National pilots wishing to practice for the 2026 championships will attend the 2025 Old West Balloon Fest event, and as such, we anticipate the number of balloons attending the 2025 Old West Balloon Fest will increase.
The dates for The Old West Balloon Fest and US National Championships for the next four years are as follows:
• August 14-17, 2025
• August 10-15, 2026
• August 9-14, 2027
• August 7-12, 2028
Information regarding Old West Balloon Fest can be found at theoldwestballoonfest.com.