The 2026 Black Eagles Air Show schedule in Korea centres on the ‘Sacheon Air Show’ (사천에어쇼). Seoul ADEX is a biennial event held only in odd-numbered years. therefore, ADEX 2025 has already concluded, and there is no ADEX scheduled for 2026. The next Seoul ADEX will be held in 2027. If you’re planning a trip around this, read the practical notes below before you book anything.
Contents
Quick Facts
| Primary Event | Seoul ADEX (International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition) |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | October (Seoul ADEX 2025: October 21–26) |
| Ticket Prices | Check the official Sacheon Air Show website for 2026 visitor registration. In previous years, the Sacheon Air Show has often required free pre-registration for admission to the airbase for security reasons, rather than a paid ticket system like ADEX. |
| Essential Gear | Ear protection (especially for children), hat, sunscreen, water, comfortable shoes |
| Key Warnings | Large crowds, heavy traffic, security checks. outside food/drinks, large bags, and drones are typically prohibited |
What Is Seoul ADEX
Seoul ADEX is Korea’s largest aerospace and defense exhibition. It combines a trade show floor with public air displays, and the Black Eagles are the headline act for most general visitors. The event draws large domestic and international crowds, so it’s not a quiet afternoon out. Think long queues, security screening, and a lot of standing in open space under an October sky.
October in the Seoul area is generally dry and cool, which makes it reasonable weather for an outdoor event. Mornings can be cold, afternoons warmer. Layering is practical.
Black Eagles Performance Schedule
The 2026 Sacheon Air Show is officially scheduled to take place from October 22 to October 25, 2026, at the Sacheon Airbase. The Black Eagles are confirmed to perform their full display throughout this period. Additionally, they performed internationally at the World Defense Show 2026 in Saudi Arabia in February.
Tickets and Access
Ticket prices for Seoul ADEX 2025had not been finalised at the time of writing. Check the official website for current pricing before making any plans. Past editions have offered different tiers for trade days versus public days, so confirm which days are open to general visitors.
Security checks at the entrance are standard and can slow entry significantly during peak arrival times. Prohibited items based on past visitor guidelines typically include:
- Outside food and drinks
- Large bags or backpacks above a certain size
- Drones or remote-controlled aircraft
Check the current visitor guidelines on the official site before packing, since these rules can change between editions.
What to Bring
Jet engines are loud. This is obvious in principle and still catches people off guard in practice. Bring foam earplugs or noise-reducing earmuffs, and if you’re bringing children, treat ear protection as non-negotiable rather than optional.
Other practical items:
- Sun protection — a hat and sunscreen. The viewing areas are open ground with limited shade.
- Water — outside drinks are typically not permitted, so factor in purchasing water on-site and budget accordingly.
- Comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet for most of the day on hard surfaces.
- Layers — October mornings at the venue can be noticeably colder than the afternoon.
- A small bag — check the size restrictions before you go. A large daypack may not clear security.
If you want to photograph the aircraft, a camera with a long zoom lens is useful. Phone cameras struggle with fast-moving jets at altitude.
Common Mistakes Visitors Make
A few patterns come up repeatedly among first-time attendees at events like Seoul ADEX.
Arriving too late. Crowds build quickly after gates open. Arriving early is advisable, especially on public days when attendance peaks. The security queue alone can cost you significant time if you arrive mid-morning.
Assuming the Black Eagles fly every day. The performance schedule isn’t uniform across all six days. Some days are trade-focused with limited or no public air displays. Confirm which days include the Black Eagles before you commit to a specific date.
Driving to the venue. Traffic congestion around Seoul ADEX is significant. Public transport is the more reliable option. Check Naver Map or Kakao Map for transit routes to the venue closer to the event, as shuttle services and transit options are sometimes added specifically for ADEX days.
Bringing prohibited items. Showing up with a large bag, outside food, or a drone will cause problems at the security gate. Read the visitor guidelines on the official site before you leave your accommodation.
Not accounting for the noise. Even adults who’ve been to loud concerts are sometimes unprepared for the sustained noise of military jet passes at low altitude. Earplugs are cheap and small. Pack them.
Expecting English signage everywhere. Seoul ADEX is a major international event and English support is generally available, but not every sign or announcement will be bilingual. Having Naver Papago or Google Translate on your phone is useful for navigating the venue and reading any Korean-only notices.
Getting There
For the 2026 Sacheon Air Show, visitors should travel to Sacheon Airbase in Gyeongsangnam-do. The most common route is taking an express bus to Sacheon Terminal or a KTX to Jinju Station, then using the dedicated shuttle buses provided during the festival. Do not travel to Seoul Airport (Seongnam) as no air show will be held there in 2026.
If you’re staying in central Seoul, build in extra travel time on the days you plan to attend. The combination of crowds arriving and leaving simultaneously makes the area around the venue slow by car.
The October dates for Seoul ADEX 2025 are set. Keep an eye on the official Seoul ADEX website for the Black Eagles performance schedule as it gets closer to the event.
* Cover image source: ⓒ한국관광공사 포토코리아-김민준