Zhuhai Airshow 2026
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Airshow China, the 16th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, runs from 7 to 13 December 2026 in Zhuhai — thirty years after the first. For the first time it is spread over three zones that open on different days and sell different tickets. Tickets go on sale on 19 October at 12:00 Beijing time, only in the Damai app.
第十六届中国国际航空航天博览会 · 珠海航展 · 2026-12-07 – 2026-12-13
AI-generated- Dates
- 7–13 Dec 2026public days 11–13 Dec
- Tickets
- from 400 CNY (≈ US$59)individual 600 CNY (≈ US$89)
- On sale
- 19 Oct, 12:00Beijing time · 8 rounds
- Where to buy
- Damai app onlyno ticket windows
Three zones, three tickets
The main zone’s public days (11–13 Dec) do not overlap with the drone zone (8–10 Dec). Tickets are not interchangeable. Which zone on which day →
Thirty years of the Zhuhai Airshow, and the last show in numbers
The first China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition was held in Zhuhai in November 1996. Since then it has taken place every two years, in even years, at the same airfield next to Zhuhai Jinwan Airport; the only exception was the pandemic, when the 2020 show moved to 2021. There was no show in 2025: the last one, the 15th, ran 12–17 November 2024.
The 2024 show in numbers
- Visitors
- ≈ 590,000over the 6 days
- Exhibitors
- 1,022from 47 countries and regions
- Aircraft on display
- 261and 248 types of ground equipment
- Deals signed
- 285.6 bn CNY≈ US$42 billion, covering 1,195 aircraft
Besides the J-35A, the J-15T and J-15D carrier fighters appeared for the first time. Also on show: the HQ-19 air-defence missile system, the Y-20’s cargo hold, opened to visitors for the first time, and samples from the far side of the Moon brought back by Chang’e-6. The deals are agreements signed at the show, some of them letters of intent; the dollar amount is our conversion at 6.77 CNY.
Milestones since 1996
1996
The first show
5–10 November 1996, with 96 Chinese and foreign aircraft and helicopters. From then on, every two years in even years.
2008
The J-10 in public
China’s J-10 fighter is shown at the airshow for the first time.
2010
The C919 mock-up
A full-size mock-up of the C919 airliner, then still years from its first flight, goes on show.
2014
The Y-20
The Y-20 heavy transport aircraft makes its first public appearance.
2016
The J-20
Two J-20 stealth fighters fly past in public for the first time.
2021
A year late
The 2020 show, postponed by the pandemic, is held 28 September – 3 October 2021. China’s space agency exhibits for the first time, with lunar soil from Chang’e-5.
2024
The 15th show
12–17 November 2024: the J-35A stealth fighter is shown for the first time, Russia’s Su-57 for the first time in Zhuhai.
2026
Thirty years
The 16th show, 7–13 December 2026: for the first time over three zones, and a day longer.
2024 and 2026 side by side
| 2024 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 6 days | 7 days |
| Aircraft | 261 on display | over 170 in the main zone (announced) |
| Exhibition halls | — | 14, with 12.5% more indoor space |
| Exhibits | 248 types of ground equipment | over 3,000 pieces of equipment, about 10% shown for the first time |
| Individual ticket | 500 CNY (≈ US$74) | 600 CNY (≈ US$89) |
The 2026 figures are what was announced at the press conference in Beijing on 13 October 2026, not final counts. Older pages still give 10–15 November 2026: that was the date announced at the close of the 2024 show. On 24 July 2026 the organiser set 7–13 December.
Three zones: what is open on which day?
The organiser calls it “one show, three zones”: the Zhuhai International Airshow Centre next to Zhuhai airport, a zone for unmanned systems at Lianzhou and a naval zone at Gaolan port, each with its own days and tickets. Tap a day.
Tap a day to see what is open.
| Zone | Mon7 Dec | Tue8 Dec | Wed9 Dec | Thu10 Dec | Fri11 Dec | Sat12 Dec | Sun13 Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zhuhai International Airshow Centre珠海国际航展中心from 400 CNY (≈ US$59) | Trade visitors only | Trade visitors only | Trade visitors only | Trade visitors only | Open to the public | Open to the public | Open to the public |
| Lianzhou drone zone莲洲无人装备展示区100 CNY (≈ US$15) | Not open | Open to the public | Open to the public | Open to the public | Not open | Not open | Not open |
| Gaolan naval zone高栏海上装备展示区Free, book online | Open to the public | Open to the public | Open to the public | Open to the public | Open to the public | Not open | Not open |
Zhuhai International Airshow Centre
The main show: flying displays, aircraft on the ground, exhibition halls. Public days 11–13 December; 7–10 December are for accredited trade visitors.
11 Dec, 12 Dec, 13 Dec
Tickets and prices ↓Lianzhou drone zone
Unmanned systems at the Lianzhou airfield in Doumen, in the north-west of Zhuhai.
8 Dec, 9 Dec, 10 Dec
Tickets and prices ↓Gaolan naval zone
Maritime equipment at Gaolan port, in the far south-west. Free, with an online booking.
7 Dec, 8 Dec, 9 Dec, 10 Dec, 11 Dec
Tickets and prices ↓
Where the three zones are
All three are in the west of Zhuhai, far from the city centre and the border at Gongbei: the Airshow Centre is 28 km from Gongbei in a straight line, Lianzhou 37 km and Gaolan 44 km. Tap a place.
Tap a place on the map or in the list.
The main zone, next to Zhuhai Jinwan Airport; Zhuhai Airport station is 1.2 km away. 31 minutes by car from Gongbei without traffic (36 km). Details below ↓
The drone zone in Doumen; the point is Lianzhou town, the airfield is nearby. About 52 minutes by car from Gongbei. Details below ↓
The naval zone at Gaolan port; about 44 minutes by car from Gongbei, 30 from the Airshow Centre. Details below ↓
Straight-line distances from Gongbei Port, rounded. Lianzhou and Gaolan are marked approximately (town and port, not the exact gate). Driving times: OpenStreetMap, without traffic.
Zhuhai Airshow 2026 ticket prices
Seven ways in, from free to 2,499 CNY (≈ US$369). Every ticket is in the visitor’s own name, one per person, valid for one entry on one day. Add tickets below to see what your group pays. Dollar amounts here and throughout the page are rough conversions at 6.77 CNY to the US dollar (31 July 2026); you pay in CNY.
- CNY 600 (≈ US$89) each
Individual ticket 个人票
Airshow Centre, one public day (11, 12 or 13 Dec)
0 - CNY 400 (≈ US$59) each
Concession ticket 优惠票
Airshow Centre; reported for visitors over 60 and under 18
0 - CNY 1,000 (≈ US$148) each
Ground display package 地面装备动态演示区套票
Individual ticket + the ground equipment display area
0 - CNY 800 (≈ US$118) each
Ground display package, concession 地面装备动态演示区优惠套票
Concession ticket + the ground equipment display area
0 - CNY 2,499 (≈ US$369) each
Space Centre package 太空中心套票
Individual ticket + the Space Centre
0 - CNY 100 (≈ US$15) each
Lianzhou drone zone 莲洲无人装备展示区门票
8–10 Dec, a separate zone and day
0
Total
Add tickets with + or tap a preset.
Prices: the organiser’s ticket notice of 16 October 2026. The Gaolan naval zone (7–11 Dec) is free with an online booking and is not in the calculator. In 2024 the individual ticket was 500 CNY (≈ US$74) and the concession 350 CNY (≈ US$52).
Which ticket fits you?
Tick what applies; the ticket that fits is marked, with the reason on each card.
Who is going, and what do you want to see?
Tick a situation above and the option that fits best is marked.
Individual ticket 个人票
600 CNY (≈ US$89) · Airshow Centre, 11–13 Dec
The standard ticket for one public day at the main zone: the flying displays, the aircraft on the ground and the exhibition halls.
- Price
- 600 CNY (≈ US$89)
- In 2024
- 500 CNY (≈ US$74)
- Valid
- One entry, one day
- First time: the flying display: All the flying displays and the static aircraft are included.
- With children under 18: For adults; a child needs a concession ticket of its own.
- Aged 60 or over: Over 60, the concession ticket is reported to apply instead.
- Tanks and vehicles in action: The ground equipment display area needs the package ticket.
- The Space Centre too: The Space Centre is only in the 2,499 CNY (≈ US$369) package.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The drone demonstrations are in the Lianzhou zone, on other days.
- Navy ships: The ships are in the Gaolan zone.
- Smallest budget: The cheapest way into the main zone for an adult.
Concession ticket 优惠票
400 CNY (≈ US$59) · Airshow Centre, 11–13 Dec
The same day at the main zone, reported for visitors over 60 and under 18. The organiser’s price list shows no free tickets: children need a ticket too.
- Price
- 400 CNY (≈ US$59)
- In 2024
- 350 CNY (≈ US$52)
- Who
- Over 60, under 18 (reported)
- First time: the flying display: Everything the individual ticket has, if you qualify.
- With children under 18: The ticket for children; no free tickets are listed.
- Aged 60 or over: Reported for visitors over 60.
- Tanks and vehicles in action: Take the concession package, 800 CNY (≈ US$118), for the ground display.
- The Space Centre too: The Space Centre package has no concession version.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The drone zone is separate.
- Navy ships: The naval zone is separate.
- Smallest budget: The cheapest ticket for the main zone.
Ground display package 地面装备动态演示区套票
1,000 CNY (≈ US$148) · concession 800 CNY (≈ US$118)
The day ticket plus entry to the ground equipment display area, where armoured vehicles and other ground equipment are demonstrated in motion. 400 CNY (≈ US$59) more than the plain ticket.
- Price
- 1,000 CNY (≈ US$148)
- Concession
- 800 CNY (≈ US$118)
- Extra over the day ticket
- 400 CNY (≈ US$59)
- First time: the flying display: Worth it only if the ground display is part of why you go.
- With children under 18: Children who like things that move; 800 CNY (≈ US$118) with the concession.
- Aged 60 or over: The concession package is 800 CNY (≈ US$118).
- Tanks and vehicles in action: The only ticket that includes the ground equipment display area.
- The Space Centre too: The Space Centre is a different package.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The drone zone is separate.
- Navy ships: The naval zone is separate.
- Smallest budget: 400 CNY (≈ US$59) more than the day ticket.
Space Centre package 太空中心套票
2,499 CNY (≈ US$369) · Airshow Centre + Space Centre
The day ticket plus entry to the Zhuhai Space Centre. What else comes with it is described on the Damai sales page; we have not seen it.
- Price
- 2,499 CNY (≈ US$369)
- Extra over the day ticket
- 1,899 CNY (≈ US$281)
- Services included
- See the Damai page
- First time: the flying display: More than you need for a first look at the flying display.
- With children under 18: A full day for a family with an interest in space, at a price.
- Aged 60 or over: No concession version.
- Tanks and vehicles in action: Does not include the ground display area.
- The Space Centre too: The only ticket with the Space Centre.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The drone zone is separate.
- Navy ships: The naval zone is separate.
- Smallest budget: The most expensive ticket by far.
Lianzhou drone zone 莲洲无人装备展示区门票
100 CNY (≈ US$15) · 8–10 Dec
A separate zone for unmanned systems at the Lianzhou airfield, open on three days before the main public days. Not valid at the Airshow Centre.
- Price
- 100 CNY (≈ US$15)
- Days
- 8, 9 and 10 December
- From Gongbei
- About 52 min by car
- First time: the flying display: An extra day before the main show, not a replacement for it.
- With children under 18: No concession price is listed for this zone.
- Aged 60 or over: No concession price is listed for this zone.
- Tanks and vehicles in action: Drones, not ground vehicles.
- The Space Centre too: No Space Centre here.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The zone for drones and counter-drone systems.
- Navy ships: The ships are at Gaolan, open the same days.
- Smallest budget: 100 CNY (≈ US$15) for a separate day out.
Gaolan naval zone 高栏海上装备展示区
Free · 7–11 Dec · online booking
Maritime equipment at Gaolan port, free to the public with an online booking. How to book will be announced later by the organiser.
- Price
- Free
- Days
- 7 to 11 December
- Booking
- Channel not announced yet
- First time: the flying display: A separate trip to the far south-west of Zhuhai.
- With children under 18: Free, but the booking may run out.
- Aged 60 or over: Free, but the booking may run out.
- Tanks and vehicles in action: Ships, not ground vehicles.
- The Space Centre too: No Space Centre here.
- Drones and counter-drone systems: The drones are at Lianzhou.
- Navy ships: The zone for the navy’s ships.
- Smallest budget: Free.
Concession eligibility (over 60, under 18) is as reported by 21 Jingji on 16 October 2026; the organiser’s table names the ticket without the rule. Check the Damai page.
How to buy: eight sale rounds on Damai
Tickets are released in stages: eight sale days from 19 October, each at 12:00 Beijing time. Popular days go round by round, so the first round is the safest. The next round is marked below, with the time on your own clock.
- Mon 19 Oct, 12:00 Beijing timefirst round
- Mon 26 Oct, 12:00 Beijing time
- Mon 2 Nov, 12:00 Beijing time
- Mon 9 Nov, 12:00 Beijing time
- Mon 16 Nov, 12:00 Beijing time
- Mon 23 Nov, 12:00 Beijing time
- Mon 30 Nov, 12:00 Beijing time
- Thu 3 Dec, 12:00 Beijing timelast round
1 · Find it
In the Damai app, search for 第十六届中国航展. The organiser says only the app sells tickets, not the website.
2 · Prepare
On the sales page, add each visitor’s name and passport, and pre-select day and ticket type.
3 · Buy at 12:00
When the round opens, tick the visitors and the date, confirm and pay.
4 · Check
The tickets appear in the app’s ticket wallet. They cannot be transferred or resold; refunds only under the conditions on the sales page.
Before the first round: tick it off
0 of 7 done
We have not tested buying with a foreign passport and a foreign phone number.
Getting there
The Airshow Centre is next to Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, about 36 km by road from Gongbei. The organiser announces 23 airshow shuttle bus lines and more trains on the intercity line, and a shuttle line from the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge port for visitors from Hong Kong and Macau. Zhuhai Airport station, at the end of the intercity line from Zhuhai station via Hengqin, is 1.2 km from the site. Two of our photographs show where to find the trains.
1Railway (B2) · 270 m
城轨（B2） · Two floors down
Hengqin station of the intercity line. Trains run west from here to Zhuhai Airport station, 1.2 km from the Airshow Centre.
Tap a number on the photo, or a name in the list.
Shuttle routes, train times and this year’s traffic plan around the site: not checked. See the organiser’s traffic guide on airshow.com.cn.
While you are in Zhuhai
The show takes one or two days. For the rest — the seafront, the Fisher Girl, the copy of the Old Summer Palace and the crossings to Macau — see our Zhuhai travel guide. Three weeks earlier, 19–22 November, Macau holds its street race: the Macau Grand Prix 2026.
FAQ
When is the Zhuhai Airshow 2026?
From 7 to 13 December 2026, the 16th edition, thirty years after the first in 1996. The public days at the main zone, the Zhuhai International Airshow Centre, are 11, 12 and 13 December; 7–10 December are for trade visitors. The drone zone at Lianzhou is open 8–10 December and the naval zone at Gaolan 7–11 December.
How much are Zhuhai Airshow tickets?
At the Airshow Centre: 600 CNY (≈ US$89) for an individual ticket, 400 CNY (≈ US$59) for a concession ticket, 1,000 CNY (≈ US$148) for the package with the ground equipment display (800 CNY (≈ US$118) concession) and 2,499 CNY (≈ US$369) for the package with the Space Centre. The Lianzhou drone zone costs 100 CNY (≈ US$15); the Gaolan naval zone is free with an online booking. In 2024 the individual ticket was 500 CNY (≈ US$74).
Where can I buy tickets?
Only in the Damai app, which the organiser named as its sole ticket agent. There are no ticket windows at the show. Sales open on 19 October 2026 at 12:00 Beijing time, with seven more rounds up to 3 December. Treat any other seller as a scam.
Can foreigners buy Zhuhai Airshow tickets?
Yes: the organiser lists foreign passports among the documents you can buy a ticket with and enter on. Tickets are in the visitor’s own name and checked at the gate. We have not tested whether the Damai app accepts a foreign phone number for the account; if it does not, a Chinese friend or a travel agent can buy in your name with your passport details.
Do children need a ticket?
The organiser’s price list has no free tickets, so plan on one for every child: the concession ticket (400 CNY (≈ US$59)) is reported for visitors under 18. Whether babies and toddlers need one is not stated in what we have seen — check the Damai page before you buy.
What is the difference between the 600 and the 1,000 CNY ticket?
The 1,000 CNY (≈ US$148) package adds the ground equipment display area, where vehicles are demonstrated in motion. The flying displays, the aircraft on the ground and the exhibition halls are included in the 600 CNY (≈ US$89) ticket.
Can I visit all three zones on one ticket?
No. Each zone has its own ticket, or booking, and its own days: the Airshow Centre on 11–13 December, Lianzhou on 8–10 December, Gaolan on 7–11 December. To see all three you need at least two days, one of them before the 11th.
How do I get to the Airshow Centre?
By the intercity railway from Zhuhai station at Gongbei via Hengqin to Zhuhai Airport station, 1.2 km from the site, or by one of the airshow shuttle bus lines (the organiser announces 23, including one from the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge port). By car it is 31 minutes from Gongbei without traffic. We have not checked timetables or this year’s traffic plan.
Was there a Zhuhai Airshow in 2025?
No. The airshow is held every two years, in even years, since 1996. The last one, the 15th, ran 12–17 November 2024: nearly 590,000 visitors, 1,022 exhibitors from 47 countries and regions, 261 aircraft on display and 285.6 billion CNY in deals signed. The next is 7–13 December 2026.
What is the weather like in December?
Mild: Zhuhai averages 20 °C by day and 15 °C at night in December, usually dry. On the open airfield, bring a hat and sun cream, and a light jacket for the evening.
Do I need a visa?
Not with a German, Austrian or Swiss passport for a short trip: visa-free for up to 30 days per entry, currently until 31 December 2026. If you come via Hong Kong or Macau, remember that each return to the mainland is a new entry.
Sources and status
Dates, zones, prices, sale rounds and the purchase rules are from the organiser’s notices on airshow.com.cn: ticket sales and how to buy (16 October 2026), the three zones and transport (16 October 2026) and Damai as the sole ticket agent (14 October 2026). Concession eligibility: 21 Jingji, 16 October 2026. Prices in 2024: IT Home. Driving times: OpenStreetMap, without traffic. The 2024 figures: Xinhua via China Daily, 18 November 2024; the 2026 scale: Cover News, 13 October 2026; the dates of earlier shows and their debuts: Wikipedia’s list of editions; the change of date: Gamersky, 18 November 2024 and IT Home, 24 July 2026. Checked 16 October 2026; ticket details and refund rules are binding only as shown on the Damai sales page.
The header picture is AI-generated and labelled as such; we claim no copyright in it. All other pictures are our own photographs of Zhuhai from 30 and 31 March 2023, with passers-by’s faces blurred. We have no photographs of the airshow itself.
Changelog (2)
- 2026-10-17Added the history of the airshow and the figures of the 2024 show (Xinhua), with what the organiser has announced for 2026.
- 2026-10-16Page created from the organiser’s ticket notices of 14 and 16 October 2026. The header picture is an AI-generated illustration; there are no photographs of the airshow on this page.