Roswell gears up for legendary air races, tickets go on sale for 2025 event

As iconic aviation events go, the world-famous annual Reno Air Races held in Reno Nevada from 1964 until 2023 would be top of any avgeek’s list. However, with a new year comes a new venue for the historic event, with Roswell in New Mexico lined up to take over the mantle as the host of the “fastest motorsport on Earth” in 2025. Tickets have just gone on sale for the 2025 event, with demand expected to reach unprecedented levels as the races resume in their new venue with a raft of improvements made to the flying program.   

The National Championship Air Races (NCAR) is a staple of any aviation enthusiast’s (and adrenalin junkie’s) calendar, with tens of thousands having previously made the annual pilgrimage to the desert landscape of Reno in Nevada which had hosted the event since its inception in 1964. However, the organizers began their search for a new venue in 2023 that could accommodate more visitors and would be able to facilitate the commercial growth of the four-day event.

Jeff Schultes / ShutterstockAfter a lengthy bidding process, Roswell was the successful party, with the New Mexico city having already built the grandstand and other facilities it will need to host the world-famous event. The 2025 races, slated to be held between September 10 and 14, 2025, will feature seven classes of racing, as well as several hands-on displays and experiences including a STEM Education Discovery Zone, heritage displays, military demonstrations, static displays, and more, according to race officials.

According to NCAR, the decision to move the event to Roswell “marks a significant milestone in the event’s history, as Roswell provides an opportunity to bring national championship air racing to a new part of the country while starting the next chapter for the organization. As the new home of NCAR, Roswell will provide air race participants and enthusiasts an opportunity to see the event in a new light with a newly designed course and opportunities for new attractions, specific to the location. Additionally, Roswell’s airfield will set the stage for the next generation of highfliers to compete in an innovative and exciting environment.” 

Jeff Schultes / Shutterstock“To know that Roswell will be the future home of the National Championship Air Races is a privilege and honor,” said Mike Espiritu, president and CEO of the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation. “The event landing in Roswell is a testament to the collaboration and support of the region who have worked for the past year to make this dream a reality. We are confident that we can help the event grow and expand for many years to come.” 

“We’ve been working tirelessly for two years to bring this beloved and historic event to a new home and now that tickets are on sale, we’re excited to share it with New Mexico,” said Tony Logoteta, Chief Operating Officer of the NCAR.

“This is not only a new chapter for our organization but the start of a bold new era for the sport. Roswell provides us with an incredible backdrop and the opportunity to elevate the experience for fans, pilots, and the aviation community. We can’t wait for everyone to see the Roswell course, feel the energy of the competition, and be a part of history as we bring the thrill of racing to New Mexico,” he added.

Carolyn Hinton Hutchins / ShutterstockMore about Roswell

The NCAR 2025 event will take place at the Roswell Air Center (ROW), a former military base for the US Army and the US Air Force. Today, ROW is one of the largest centers for the commercial aviation industries of the Southwest US, with a commercial airport, as well as a huge commercial aircraft storage facility, and several MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) organizations based on the site.

In addition to attending the air races, attendees can also spend a day at the Mescalero Sand Dunes, visit the Walker Aviation Museum, and head to the nearby Spring River Zoo or Carlsbad Caverns. Additionally, Roswell Air Center is located close to the famous site where allegedly an Unidentified Flying Object crash landed in 1947, sparking wild conspiracy theories that have become aviation folklore in the decades since.

Race officials have added that the “immense excitement” for the inaugural races to be held in New Mexico has led to “an almost complete advance buy-out of hotels in Roswell.”

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