The 11-day fair surpassed the previous record by 36,152 admissions. Four individual days and Lainey Wilson’s Grandstand concert also set attendance records.
By Hola Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa — Attendance at the 2026 Iowa State Fair reached a record 1,218,834 during its 11-day run in Des Moines.
The final total surpassed the previous record of 1,182,682, set in 2024, by 36,152 admissions. It also exceeded the 2025 attendance of 1,160,121 by 58,713.
The fair ran from Aug. 13 through Aug. 23 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Along with the overall record, four days established new attendance marks for their positions on the annual calendar.
The final Saturday produced the largest single-day crowd in Iowa State Fair history.
The final Saturday drew a record 130,654 people
Saturday, Aug. 22, drew 130,654 fairgoers. That total set records for the second Saturday and for any single day in the fair’s history.
Three other dates also surpassed previous daily records:
- Sunday, Aug. 16: 123,140, a record for the first Sunday.
- Monday, Aug. 17: 111,159, a record for Monday.
- Friday, Aug. 21: 114,256, a record for the second Friday.
- Saturday, Aug. 22: 130,654, a record for the second Saturday and the largest one-day crowd overall.
The Iowa State Fair calculates final attendance after reviewing daily and advance ticket sales, exhibitors, concessionaires, campers, children, credentials and other admission categories.
Related: Iowa State Fair yard-parking tradition takes center stage in new documentary
Lainey Wilson drew a Grandstand-record crowd of 17,360
Country singer Lainey Wilson also established a concert attendance record at the Grandstand. Her sold-out Aug. 16 performance drew 17,360 people.
The crowd surpassed the previous renovated-Grandstand record of 17,320, set by Chris Stapleton in 2021, by 40 people.
Across the full fair, Grandstand events drew a combined 132,041 attendees. That total set another record even though the scheduled performance by Rod Stewart and special guest Richard Marx was canceled.
The Sale of Champions raised a record $734,000
Attendance was not the fair’s only record. The 2026 Sale of Champions raised $734,000 for the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement scholarship fund.
The sale also established new prices in several livestock categories, including the FFA Grand Champion Market Lamb, Grand Champion 4-H Meat Goat, Grand Champion 4-H Market Broilers and Grand Champion FFA Market Hog.
Meanwhile, the Woodcarver’s Auction raised $96,046 for the Blue Ribbon Foundation. The previous auction record was $79,137, set in 2022.
Nearly 16,000 votes selected the best new fair food
Fair vendors introduced more than 80 new foods in 2026. A total of 15,954 fairgoers voted in the People’s Choice Best New Food competition.
Porky Parm Gnocchi from Destination Grille won the title. Voting through the official fair application also produced winners in the alcoholic and alcohol-free drink categories.
Complete attendance figures and other 2026 results are available in the official Iowa State Fair recap.
The 2027 Iowa State Fair will run Aug. 12–22
The Iowa State Fair will return to Des Moines from Aug. 12 through Aug. 22, 2027. Organizers have not yet released the 2027 theme, concert lineup or ticket calendar.
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