5 days away: your exclusive launch Q&A

As we mentioned in a previous entry – see Government of Canada to procure new aircraft for the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds – the 2026 season will be the last time the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be using their Candair CT-114 Tutor aircraft, and the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) won’t ready until the early 2030s.  So be sure to catch this last Snowbird performance for the next 3-5 years.


Greetings!

We’re just six days away from the colossal 2026 California Capital Airshow deep discount ticket launch. Per Wednesday’s email, below is a series of the most common ticket launch questions and answers.

The Short Version

Tickets launch Wednesday, June 24th, at Noon Pacific Time. You will receive an email with your unique link to purchase discount tickets at Noon on the 24th. We will reveal 2026 ticket pricing and full ticket details at launch on the 24th. Please be sure to add insider@californiacapitalairshow.com to your trusted email list.

There is a strictly limited quantity of discounted tickets. As each discount ticket block sells out, ticket prices increase. With the return of two national jet demonstration teams, single-ship military demos, and the Night Show, discount tickets will sell at a record pace.

We cannot emphasize this enough: if you want to secure your spot at the deepest discounts of the year, please buy at Noon on the 24th.

Additionally, in 2026, General Admission ticket quantities are reduced by 26% for more comfort. Because of the reduction, we expect a SELL OUT before show weekend. In 2025, General Admission tickets SOLD OUT before the Airshow Weekend.

Your Launch Questions and Answers

Below is Insider info and detailed answers based on all the calls and emails to the office.

What time does the Airshow start on October 10 & 11?

We’re bringing back the Night Show in 2026. That means you get the best of all worlds: day, breathtaking twilight, and a jaw-dropping night show! Parking gates open at 3 PM each day, flying begins at 4 PM, and the Night Show concludes at 8:30 PM. Because this is a fall show, it’s not only cooler weather, but sunset is also earlier.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE SET insider@californiacapitalairshow.com as a TRUSTED EMAIL ADDRESS!  If you haven’t already, make sure to add insider@californiacapitalairshow.com to your trusted email list so you don’t miss the deep-discount launch email and important customer updates.

WHEN do Discount Tickets Go On Sale?

Insider ONLY discounted tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 24th at 12:00 PM (Noon) Pacific Time – ONLINE ONLY! As an AIR SHOW INSIDER®, you will receive a special email on June 24th at Noon, with your special discount ticket launch link. If you want a sweetheart deal at the lowest prices of the year, please buy during launch.

WHERE do Discount Tickets Go On Sale?

Discount tickets can be purchased securely online, using your Insider-Only Link. You will receive your special, Insider ONLY, purchase link via email on June 24th at 12:00 PM (Noon) Pacific Time.

What are the 2026 California Capital Airshow Ticket Prices?

As we’ve previously done, ticket pricing and full ticket package details for 2026 airshow tickets will be released on launch day, Wednesday, June 24th. Click on your launch email (June 24th) at Noon for package details, pricing, and purchase links.

ONLY Insiders Get up to HALF OFF CCA Admission at Launch

Buy at launch, and you SAVE up to HALF OFF and get first dibs on 2026 California Capital Airshow tickets (not available to the public). The deep discount launch pricing EXPIRES (if discount quantities remain) on Tuesday, June 30th at 11:59 PM Pacific Time or after individual ticket blocks sell out.

All discount ticket purchases are online ONLY using most major credit cards. You can buy tickets on desktop, tablet, or mobile.

2026 Airshow Ticket Types:

Our goal is to provide you with the ultimate air show experience possible at a range of price points. Ticket types include everything from an affordable day of aviation thrills for the whole family to an ultra-premium airshow experience. There’s something for everyone, including families!

Below is a brief overview of 2026 ticket types. We’ve carefully analyzed and tweaked our ticketing options. In 2026, we’re also going with new aviation-related names. You can expect full ticket details and pricing on Wednesday, June 24th.

  • General Admission: Free parking and admission for one Adult and up to six FREE Children (ages 15 and under). Good for one day only. You select which day works best for you during purchase.
  • First Class: An ultra-premium / elite Airshow experience. We’ve taken the best parts of Capital Club tickets and raised the bar on food, drinks, and comfort. Includes VIP parking, VIP restrooms, pilot meet and greet, plus other stunning First Class ONLY surprises. Limited to 250 tickets per day.
  • Business Class (previously Capital Club): VIP parking, VIP restrooms, complimentary beer, wine, signature cocktails, water and soda, complimentary snacks, buffet dinner and desserts, shaded tent to beat the heat, and oversized front yard with a great view of the show. Business Class tickets are good for one day only. Youths age 3 and older will need to purchase a ticket.
  • Premium Cabin (previously Flight Line Club): Free parking, complimentary water, lemonade and iced tea, buffet dinner, shaded tent to beat the heat, and oversized front yard with a great view of the show. Good for one day only. Youths age 3 and older will need to purchase a ticket.
  • Main Cabin (previously Mather Club): Free parking, shaded tent to beat the heat, and oversized front yard with a great view of the show. Good for one day only. Youths age 3 and older will need to purchase a ticket.

Very Limited Discount Ticket Quantities & Time

Once ticket purchases exceed a certain threshold, or after the ticket launch ends on Tuesday, June 30th, prices will increase. Again, deep ticket discounts are limited by time and quantity. So please don’t miss your chance to SAVE BIG!

SATURDAY & SUNDAY TICKETS (Reduced Numbers for 2026):

  • General Admission – Only 2500 tickets available (Saturday / Sunday) at up to HALF OFF Airshow Admission
  • First Class – Only 30 tickets available at a discounted rate.
  • Business Class – Only 100 tickets available at up to HALF OFF Airshow Admission
  • Premium Cabin – Only 100 tickets available at up to HALF OFF Airshow Admission
  • Main Cabin – Only 275 tickets available at up to HALF OFF Airshow Admission

Please note: This means that once the launch purchase quantity limits above are reached, tickets will move to the next price level.

If You Have Any Ticket Purchase Issues After Launch

If you have any issues with your ticket purchase AFTER Noon on June 24th, please contact our ticket service provider, EventSprout, or click the support link in your purchase confirmation email.

We need to emphasize that EventSprout can only help you AFTER tickets launch at Noon on June 24th. EventSprout customer service representatives are great at helping our Airshow customers.

Thank you for reading the most common ticket launch questions and answers. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Have a great day,

“Az”

Your California Capital Air Show Insider

2026 California Capital Airshow

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with the

United States Air Force Thunderbirds
and the
Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds!
October 10-11, 2026

Sacramento Mather Airport – KMHR

Presented by Sacramento County in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova

______________________________________________________________________

California Capital Airshow | (916) 876-7568 insider@californiacapitalairshow.com | https://CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com/

Wartime recognition: A long-awaited bill to affirm the service of modern veterans passes the Senate

An item from the Legion Magazine that may be of interest to members.


Weekly Feature
Observation Post

Members of 2 Platoon, Bravo Company, 1 RCR, prepare to storm a compound during Operation Medusa near Kandahar on Sept. 4, 2006. [MCpl Yves Gemus/DND]

Wartime recognition: A long-awaited bill to affirm the service of modern veterans passes the Senate

STORY BY RICHARD FOOT​​​​​​​

Ask Mark Gasparotto whether he is a “war veteran,” or someone who carried out “special duty service,” and he will answer the question with a grim accounting of the costs of his time in Afghanistan.

A retired colonel, Gasparotto led 23 Field Squadron, a combat engineer unit of the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, during some of the toughest fighting in Kandahar province in 2006.

Of the 135 troops under his command, one member, Sergeant Shane Stachnik, was killed in action (one of 19 members of 1 RCR Battle Group killed by the enemy in Afghanistan). Seven other soldiers with 23 Field Squadron were severely wounded and repatriated to Canada. Dozens of others returned home after the mission with post-traumatic stress, two of whom have since died by suicide.

READ MORE

Soft-feel laser engraved commemorative pen
The Briefing
The Briefing

Visitors explore Nova Scotia’s Shearwater Aviation Museum. [Tourism Nova Scotia]

An armchair tour of Shearwater Aviation Museum

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

“Specializing in naval air history is our claim to fame,” affirmed Christine Hines, manager of the Shearwater Aviation Museum. Situated within the military base of 12 Wing Shearwater across the Bedford Basin from Halifax, the facility is, according to its caretaker of 24 years, “kind of niche.”

It’s in that uniqueness, however, that the museum thrives, a site to celebrate and commemorate a long-underrepresented facet of national identity and heritage.

“Our mandate,” said Hines, “is Shearwater’s history, which is all naval in nature, no matter what element of service operated here—whether it’s the United States Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force or the Royal Canadian Navy.”

READ MORE

Member Benefit Partner

Safestep

T-one week: “fueling” for a massive launch

As we mentioned in a previous entry – see Government of Canada to procure new aircraft for the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds – the 2026 season will be the last time the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be using their Candair CT-114 Tutor aircraft, and the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) won’t ready until the early 2030s.  So be sure to catch this last Snowbird performance for the next 3-5 years.


Greetings!

We’re just one week away from the massive 2026 discount ticket launch, and anticipation is spooling up! The office has received hundreds of emails and telephone inquiries regarding the discount ticket launch.

Next Wednesday, the 24th, at Noon Pacific Time, keep a watchful eye out for your exclusive ticket launch email. Your June 24th email will give you special access to deep-discount 2026 Airshow tickets via a unique link.

Tickets to Sell Out

We cannot emphasize this enough … please purchase your tickets at launch. Last year, several discount ticket blocks sold out in minutes after launch.

To create a better experience for everyone, we’ve slashed daily capacity by thousands. That means a better overall experience for you, your family, and friends.

As an AIR SHOW INSIDER, you get to purchase tickets at the year’s lowest prices. Plus, you get special access to tickets and deep discounts that are not available to the public. As ticket blocks sell out, ticket prices increase.

Over the next 7 days, we will send you a series of essential launch-prep emails in bite-sized chunks. This includes exciting ticket experience upgrades and maybe even a surprise or two.

With the return of cooler fall weather … not one but two national jet teams (US Air Force Thunderbirds and Royal Canadian AF Snowbirds), the Night Show Spectacular with a pyro musical finale, and some of the most elite military and civilian pilots in the world, tickets will SELL OUT at a record pace.

Let the countdown begin!

“Az”

Your California Capital Air Show Insider

P.S. – On Ticket Pricing: Because several people have asked, and as we’ve done for years, we’ll release ticket pricing at launch. Rest assured, there are tickets at a variety of price points – everything from great family value to an ultra-high-end VIP experience.

To be as upfront as possible, we’ll display all-in pricing for this year’s Airshow tickets. No hidden fees; what you see is what you pay.

2026 California Capital Airshow

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with the

United States Air Force Thunderbirds
and the
Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds!
October 10-11, 2026

Sacramento Mather Airport – KMHR

Presented by Sacramento County in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova

______________________________________________________________________

California Capital Airshow | (916) 876-7568 insider@californiacapitalairshow.com | https://CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com/

Products for CANADA DAY!

Members may be interested in this notice from the Poppy Store.


June Branch Update: Centenary Resources, Branch Guidance & Resources

A Branch update sent by Dominion Command that may have some items of interest to members.


June 2026
Twitter - X
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Legion's Store
Legion - Dispatch | Branch Updates
The Legion DISPATCH delivers essential information from Dominion Command to Branches—covering policies, procedures, resources, and opportunities to support Branch operations and growth.
Marking the Legion's Centenary
Marking a Century
of Legion Service

As the Legion’s 100th anniversary year continues, July 17 marks a significant date in our shared history. This month’s Branch update includes timely reminders, resources, and opportunities to help Branches mark the occasion, share the Legion’s story, support our Veteran community, and continue honouring Canada’s Fallen. Every Branch has a role to play in this historic anniversary year and in helping Canadians connect with the Legion’s century of service.

In this Edition
Don’t Forget to Remember Kit
July 17 Centenary Reminder and Don't Forget to Remember Kit
July 17 Centenary Reminder and
Don’t Forget to Remember Kit

With July 17 approaching, Branches are encouraged to continue preparations to mark the Legion’s 100th anniversary. Branches may choose to host a commemorative ceremony, hold an open house, or take part in other activities that recognize this historic milestone and connect with their communities.

As part of the national Don’t Forget to Remember initiative, Branches will soon receive a kit containing sticky notes, display materials, instructions, and return packaging. Branches are encouraged to invite members and visitors to write messages of Remembrance that will be collected and included in the national commemorative mural honouring the Fallen. Completed notes are to be returned by July 31.

Details on the initiative are available at: portal.legion.ca/centenary-2026. For questions or additional information, please contact remember@legion.ca.

Legion History Video
Legion History Video
Stretcher-bearers carry a wounded soldier in from the front lines in September 1916. William Ivor Castle/LAC
Stretcher-bearers carry a wounded soldier in from the front lines in September 1916.
William Ivo  Castle/LAC
Legion History Video

A new self-running video version of our Legion history website is now available for Branches to play on TVs or display screens.

Each page is shown for approximately 30 seconds, making it an easy way to share key moments from our history with members, visitors, and the public. Branches can play the video on a loop during displays, open houses, commemorative events, or other activities.

Find this and more at: portal.legion.ca/centenary-2026

Branch Guidance
Branch Service Officer Roles and VAC Disability Claims
Branch Service Officer Roles and VAC Disability Claims

New guidance is available to help Branch Service Officers understand their role when supporting Veterans and their families with Veterans Affairs Canada disability benefits. These documents explain what Branch Service Officers can and cannot do, outline important privacy obligations, and reinforce when referrals must be made to Provincial or Dominion Command Service Officers for secure, professional support.

Full Guidance Letter
Fact Sheet
Update to Manual
Update to Manual

Amendments have been made to the General By-Laws. Please review the amendments and download the updated manual.

Updated General By-Laws Manual
General By-Laws Amendments
Help Care for War Graves in Canada
Commonwealth War Graves

Royal Canadian Legion members can help honour the fallen of the Commonwealth by joining the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s National Volunteer Program. On June 1, the program launched in Quebec and New Brunswick, completing its national footprint. Volunteers are needed in Quebec, New Brunswick, and in rural communities across the country.

CWGC Volunteers visit their assigned war graves in local cemeteries twice a year to report on their condition, and if needed, perform light cleaning using approved methods. By giving a little of your time, you can help care for war graves and ensure the stories of the fallen are never forgotten.

Become a Volunteer
Special offer from the
publisher of Legion Magazine
Notable Dates
2026 Calendar of Notable Dates

On July 6, 1921, The Great War Veterans’ Association, the precursor to the Canadian Legion, adopts the Poppy as the symbol of Remembrance.

Download the 2026 calendar and start planning the dates and activities your Branch will promote, commemorate, celebrate or raise awareness of over the coming year.

View the 2026 Calendar
Keep your Branch Informed

Forward this email to your Branch Executives, Committee Members and other Members to keep them up-to-date on important updates and information.

All Branch emails are also available on the Member Services website.

View Emails
The Legion centenary logo
Working together to serve Canada’s Veterans
Follow Us On Social
Twitter - X
Facebook
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Click here if you are having trouble viewing this message.

Copyright © 2026 The Royal Canadian Legion. All rights reserved.

Operational emails from Legion National Headquarters are sent to the email address on file for your local Legion Branch. If this is no longer the correct email address for your Branch, please forward this email to the new contact and request the Branch update their contact information.The Branch may update the email address at any time by updating their Branch Profile on the Member Services Website or by contacting Member Services. Learn more about All Branch emails.

Our contact information is:

The Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters
Member Services Department
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1
Canada
Toll free: 855-330-3344
Email: membership@legion.ca
Legion.ca