Did Atlantic City lose the popular Airshow…for good? Or will it return in 2026?
Fox 29’s Bob Kelly recently broke the news: Air Force officials tell me the Wildwoods have signed a contract to become the new home of the former “Atlantic City Air Show”.
Wildwoods Thunder Over the Waves Air Show. September 5, 6, 2025.
Why did AC Business Chamber cancel for past 2 years? They cite a “strategic pause”. Others suggest these potential reasons:
- Lack of adequate sponsorship, financial considerations.
- Mid-week shows not preferred by producers / pilots.
- Perception of Atlantic City crime.
- Concern over wind turbines within flight zone.
- Falling visitor numbers to AC.
- Lack of City Hall and Mayor support / endorsement.
Another loss for Atlantic City. Miss America, Beach Concerts, and now the beloved Air Show?
OFFICIAL WILDWOOD PRESS RELEASE
The Wildwoods Thunder Over The Waves Air Show
The Wildwoods, NJ – February 6, 2025 – The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) is in discussions with an airshow company to explore the possibility of bringing a major airshow to the Wildwoods in 2025. More details will be shared as discussions progress. At this time, a contract has not been signed with them.
GWTIDA recognizes an airshow’s ability to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors while keeping this iconic event in southern New Jersey. Historically, the show has drawn over 400,000 spectators, providing a substantial economic boost to its host city and the region. Bringing an airshow to the Wildwoods would support local businesses and further establish the Wildwoods as a premier event destination.
The Wildwoods offer a strong infrastructure and venue capacity to successfully host the airshow. VIP spectator bleachers on the beach, similar to those used for the Barefoot Country Music Festival, would provide ample seating. Additional exclusive VIP viewing areas at local hotels, piers and businesses would enhance the experience for attendees.
The proposed dates for the Airshow are:
- Fri, Sept 5, 2025 – Practice Day
- Sat, Sept 6, 2025 – Main Event
While performer lineups are yet to be announced, the USAF Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels will not be available for this year due to their long-term scheduling commitments, but other jet teams are being pursued.
Beyond 2025, GWTIDA is also in discussions regarding potential airshow events for 2026 and beyond with plans to make the airshow a yearly September event.
GWTIDA remains committed to extending the tourism season beyond the traditional Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe. Funding for the Wildwoods airshow would come from a combination of sources, including GWTIDA, and corporate sponsorships. The airshow would be a free event for the public to attend.
Mr. Small and wife should not be in office of any kind, even the other lady, until the court battles are done.
The school should not even be paying them.
I remember getting married in 1979 and going to Atlantic City for a day to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. At the time there were only three casinos open.
It’s such a shame that the casinos did not invest in the city. If all that wealth had been shared, Atlantic City could be shining to this day. It is a very sad thing for Atlantic City.
I wish somehow, someway, someone would revitalize it to its prior glory. I can recall that my parents spent their honeymoon there at the Irish pub on St. James Street. I would take them there for their anniversary every year to celebrate.
I can remember watching the diving horse as a child. As a young teen getting in front of the TV set to watch the steel Pier show! My dad was brave enough to go down in the diving Bell! He said he couldn’t really see anything but it was the thing to do!
Back then Atlantic City seemed magical to me and of course the Miss America pageant!. That’s what made Atlantic City so special. Days gone by. Heartbreaking.
Well, now that really sucks for Atlantic City and the surrounding area, considering all the revenue it created for the casino and surrounding area what a shame.
Something must be done to change the the way the government in Atlantic City is run.
I blame all the people who voted for Small and are going to vote for him again. He could go down as the worst mayor of AC ever. McDevitt is no better.
I absolutely agree. Mr. Small and his cohorts have destroyed Atlantic City and lined their pockets.
Smalls is a thief. His family is involved in A.C.s decisions, when they have no training in government operations. It’s nepotism that’s right in A.C. tax PAYERS face. But then again, 99% of the voting AC. residents are this.
It is a tragedy for A.C. to lose the Airshow. Does A.C. have to become an abandoned dump heap again like it was in the early 70’s before new and better leadership is elected?
Of course by then it will be far too late for any kind of salvageable turnaround in the short term.
But I’m not letting the casino industry off the hook either. Why aren’t they stepping up both pressure on elected officials and sponsorship money?
Elect a smart mayor (not Marty Small or Bob McDevitt), preferably a Republican businessman and we will all see how fast the city could turn around and be a first class city.
The state likes it just the way it is because they are in control and have an interest in keeping us down.
We really need to elect Jack Citarelli governor.
But where have the casinos’ been? Trump was part of that problem, so it’s not necessarily a political party issue. But before trying to boil the ocean, the problems about the AC Business Chamber canceling the Airshow should be examined. What’s up with that?
Secondly, where is the money coming from to sponsor Wildwood’s bid? Wildwood certainly doesn’t have the casino bank vault going for it. You mean to tell me that the AC casinos can’t afford to put up at least the same amount of money that is coming from whatever parties in Wildwood that are sponsoring it?
And if it’s a matter of the Airshow production would rather hold it on a weekend, so what? Do it on a weekend. The show brings in people and money.
So many people are disappointed with the cancelation of the AC Airshow. I would love to see the facts that led to this decision.
Not having the air show in AC is a direct gut-punch to the businesses in the area. Sure they are making their summer revenue but what is the harm in a two day increase in revenue for them and entertainment that the residents and visitors enjoy? Not taking care of the businesses that make up your community is not taking care of the community. Shame on Small and his band of thieves