Blue Angels Practice Schedule 2026

If you are wondering when the Blue Angels Practice, we have the answer for you, along with the best places to watch them practice, the 2026 show schedule, things to bring with you, and what we have learned from going to practices.

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2026 Blue Angels Practice Schedule

The 2026 Blue Angels Practice Schedule! These are the designated practice days at NAS Pensacola.

• April 21, 22*, 28, 29*
• May 5, 6*, 12, 13*, 26, 27*
• June 2, 3*, 9, 10*, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30
• July 1, 21, 22*, 28
• August 26*
• September 1, 9*, 15, 22
• October 14*, 20, 28*

Practice sessions are from 10:30 am - 11:30 am Central Time

Dates with * indicate an autograph day in the National Naval Aviation Museum following the Blue Angels Practice.

Most autograph days are on Wednesdays. Members of the Blue Angels will sign autographs and answer questions on these days.

Tuesday and Wednesday Practices may be canceled depending on weather and conditions.

Mid-November through December, the Blue Angels team practices with their new pilots over the Gulf near Fort Morgan, Alabama. These practices are not announced.

There is a chance you might see them flying at high elevation over Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on their way back to NAS Pensacola.

Where do the Blue Angels Practice?

The Blue Angels Practice at NAS Pensacola on specific days of the week. They are stationed at NAS Pensacola from mid-March until early January every year.

In January, the entire Blue Angels team moves to El Centro Naval Air Facility in California through mid-March for winter training.

What time do the Blue Angles Practice?

NAS Pensacola Flight Demonstration Practice are scheduled between 10:30 - 11:30 am

Best Places to Watch the Blue Angels Practice

There are a few places to watch the Blue Angels Practice and have a great view of them flying overhead.

One thing to know is for practice sessions, the Blue Angels have an FAA Airspace reservation for each flight demonstration session that covers 5 nautical miles from NAS Pensacola. This is 5.75 land miles from the flight line of NAS Pensacola.

Some of the best places to view the Blue Angels Practice include the National Naval Air Museum, Fort Pickens, Pensacola Lighthouse, boat tours on Pensacola Bay, and various points in downtown Pensacola and the surrounding area.

NAS Pensacola is currently closed except for DoW ID cardholders Monday through Friday. As of March 30, 2026, Non-DoW ID Cardholders will not be able to view practice from the base

National Naval Air Museum

You can view the Blue Angels Practice flight demonstrations from the museum flight line north of the museum on designated practice days.

You cannot bring backpacks or bags onto the flight line, so make sure to plan accordingly. Visitors can carry diaper or medical bags.

Visitors can bring their own lawn or bag chairs or rent a folding chair for $6. There are also first come, first serve metal bleachers.

To view the practice, civilians must enter through the West Gate ONLY onto Naval Air Station Pensacola.

The gates are open for public access from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. There is no place to form a line, so don't arrive early, or you will be turned around.

All vehicle occupants 18 and over must have a state-issued photo ID. This can be passports, valid driver's licenses, or single government-issued identification cards.

A U.S. Citizen must escort foreign nationals.

Accessibility - There are accessible parking spaces near the museum AND closer to the viewing area. Look for the large white helicopter in the parking lot and drive towards it. There is a designated accessible parking space much closer than parking at the museum. Once you walk through the gate they have golf carts that will drive you closer to the viewing area.

There are accessible designated seats on the lower level of the bleachers to the right of the viewing area. You can also bring chairs or rent them onsite if you want to sit close the flight line.

NEW BAG POLICY - For 2025 there will be a new bag policy to get through security. You will need a clear bag and clear water bottles.

Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a camp chair or chair you are comfortable sitting in. They rent folding chairs, but I don't know their weight limit. They are plastic seats, and I always worry about how comfortable they will be. There is also open bleacher seating on metal bleachers.

Parking - Parking is available at the National Naval Air Museum. It is about a 200-yard walk from the front of the museum to the airfield entrance.

Cost - $0.00. It is FREE to watch the Blue Angels practice at the Naval Air Museum

Concessions - The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has a gift store and food/water concessions available on the flight line.

Credit/Debit card only for payment.

Water, Gatorade, Chips, Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, ICEES (Cherry & Blue Raspberry), Crystal Lite packets, and earplugs are for sale at the concession area.

Keep an eye out for the special t-shirts that are only sold during practice sessions. There are great Blue Angels gifts available including a super cute kids flight suit perfect for family photos.

Proceeds from concession sales support the museum and foundation programs.

Chair Rental - There are folding chairs available to rent for $6. There are a limited quantity of chairs so we suggest arriving early if you plan to get a chair. You will need to carry it from the chair service area to the flight line.

Credit and Debit cards only for payment.

After the show, they have you leave the chairs in place, and they take care of cleaning them up.

Address - 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL

GPS Address for the West Gate is 1878 S Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32507

What to bring with you - Bags are not allowed onto the flight line, so we suggest you put LOTS of sunscreen on before you walk out to watch practice.

Don't forget the back of your neck and shoulders like I did during our 1st practice! The hot pink shoulder look isn't the souvenir you want to bring home with you.

Hats, sunglasses, ear protection, and your best camera are always a good idea. We bring our professional camera and cell phones and had so much fun taking photos.

During the Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations, they may do maneuvers from any of their three shows.

They have specific shows based on weather, cloud clearance, and visibility they may encounter during the air show season.

• High show - 10,000-foot ceiling, three nautical mile visibility
• Low show - 4500-foot ceiling, three nautical mile visibility
• Flat Show/C-130 - 1,000-foot ceiling, three nautical mile visibility

An announcer at the outside viewing area will guide you through what is happening during practice.

At times, they will play the pilots talking through maneuvers. The precision that these pilots can accomplish is amazing.

The practice may start a few minutes early with Fat Albert the Blue Angels C-130 taking off. We highly suggest arriving early and being comfortable before Fat Albert takes off.

Fat Albert's take-off is unbelievable. It's hard to imagine a plane of this size executing a low transition takeoff.

Fat Albert may do a few maneuvers depending on the practice, including a Remote Entry, Parade Pass, Flat Pass, Head Pass, Remote Pass, and Assault Landing.

At the front of each section, you should see a volunteer holding flags. Keep an eye on where they are pointing to know which direction the Blue Angels will be flying from.

One thing to know is they may have a sneak pass, so always keep your ears and eyes open for the jets. They truly come from all directions, and it is fantastic.

Many of the maneuvers are conducted at the center point of the spectator area.

You can get a great view from most locations on the flight line. If you are sitting in the bleachers, the higher rows have a view over most of the people sitting in chairs, which is helpful if you want to see the runway.

The lower bleacher seats are still fantastic if that is all that is available when you arrive.

Fort Pickens

Practices can be viewed from Fort Pickens in Gulf Islands National Seashore. We suggest finding an open space so you can see the sky easily.

We have seen people climb to the top of the fort where it is open to see a clear view.

Accessibility - It depends on where you choose to watch the practices. Some areas have boardwalks and paved walkways, making it easier to view from an open area.

Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a camp chair that you are comfortable sitting in.

Parking - Go early! Parking can fill up quickly and they will close areas once the parking is full.

Cost - $15-25 for a park entrance pass. You can also use a National Park Pass for entrance.

Address - 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, Fl

Boat Tours

You can take a boat tour to view the Blue Angels practice from the water. There are both private and group trips available.

Cost - Varies depending on the tour.

Private Blue Angels and Sightseeing cruises are available from Orange Beach, Alabama.

Frisky Mermaid offers a Blue Angels Practice and Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise out of Pensacola Beach.

Lil' Toot Boat Tours offers a Blue Angels Cruise out of Pensacola Beach, Florida.

You can book a private Blue Angels Show Boat Cruise from Fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island.

Pensacola Lighthouse

You can reserve a spot at the top of the lighthouse to get an unbelievable view of practice.

The cost is $30, and you must book through the lighthouse.

Children must be at least 7 years old or 44" tall to participate. Children under 44" tall cannot climb the tower.

Tickets go quickly, so make sure to check often!

Target near NAS Pensacola

If you visit Target, please park in the large Target lot and not in front of ALDI. We like to shop at Target and Aldi to thank them for the parking space.

We have also heard that the Walmart parking lot across the street offers an excellent view for spectators.

Accessibility - They have accessible parking spaces near the entrance to the store if you plan to shop.

Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a camp chair that you are comfortable sitting in. The parking lot becomes a fun tailgate environment with everyone relaxing behind their cars.

Parking - Make sure to park in the large open area and not clog up the entrance to the store.

Cost - Free!

Address - 2950 S Blue Angel Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32506

Where can you not see the Blue Angels Practice?

One thing to know is you cannot see the Blue Angels practice from Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Fort Morgan, or Navarre Beach.

They have a designated air space for practice that does not extend to these cities. You may see them randomly doing a Beach Buzz during a return flight from an airshow in these locations.

What is a Beach Buzz?

Beach Buzz's happen when the Blue Angels are returning from an airshow.

There is a chance the Blue Angels will fly past Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and down towards Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.

The highest chance of seeing them includes the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, the spot where you see many social videos posted from.

When do Beach Buzz's Happen?

The beach buzz is never guaranteed, but it is always amazing to see.

For 2026, here are the possible dates for a Beach Buzz

TBD

These are estimates based on the current air show schedule.