Pilot's Page
Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship
We are excited to invite you to participate in the 31st Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship, taking place September 11–13, 2026, in Harrison, Arkansas.
This year’s event will be held at the Anstaff Soccer Complex, located at 202 Old Stonewall Rd, Harrison, AR, and we are looking forward to another outstanding weekend of ballooning, competition, and community engagement.
Pilot Benefits
-
$250 show-up money
-
Lodging covered for the duration of the event
-
All propane costs covered during the event
For your refueling needs, we will have a propane runner on site this year to help make refueling quicker and easier throughout the event.
Tethering Opportunities
We will be tethering both Friday night and Saturday night, and we would love for you to join us in offering our community the unforgettable experience of a tethered balloon ride.
-
Tether Saturday night only: additional $250
-
Tether Friday night AND Saturday night: additional $400
In addition, we would love to have as many pilots as possible participate in a static display on Saturday from noon to 4:00 PM, giving the public an up-close look at the balloons and an opportunity to interact with pilots and crews.
Crew Shirts – Important Deadline
To ensure your crew receives an official event/crew shirt, you must provide the quantity and sizes needed by August 1, 2026.
If this information is not received by that date, shirts will not be provided, and you will be responsible for purchasing shirts for your crew.
Media Event – Thursday Arrival Needed
We are seeking 6 balloons willing to arrive Thursday night to participate in a Friday morning media event.
Please let us know if you are willing to participate no later than September 1, 2026.
Competition & Prizes
-
Key Grab prize: $10,000
-
Additional prize money for the Bean Bag Toss
*1st place (each day) - $500
*2nd place (each day) - $250
*3rd place (each day) - $100
**PLUS - the bean bag landing closest to the key grab pole each day will receive an additional $500!**
We would be honored to have you join us for this year’s championship and help make the 31st Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship our best yet. If you have any questions or would like to confirm your participation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We hope to see you in Harrison this September!
