On Tuesday, nine days after closing up shop in dramatic fashion, the Wisconsin State Fair announced its attendance for 2026.
In total, 925,749 fairgoers enjoyed the 11-day, 175th installment of the Fair. That’s up from 892,968 in 2025, when the penultimate day of the Fair was flooded, and the final day was outright canceled.
The 2026 attendance is down, however, from 2024’s record-breaking number of 1,136,805. Fair attendance also topped 1 million in 2022 and 2023.
“Whether you took a spin 230 feet in the air on the America 250 Wheel, raised a glass of Cream Puff Ale, danced at one of the many shows throughout the Fair Park or created new traditions with your loved ones, we feel blessed to have brought so many people together to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Wisconsin State Fair,” said Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black in a press release Tuesday. “Delivering the best 11 days of summer to our fellow Wisconsinites is a job our team takes immense pride in, and we are grateful that so many Fairgoers joined us for this momentous anniversary.”
The 2027 Wisconsin State Fair is already set for Thursday, August 5 through Sunday, August 15.
Here’s the full press release:
THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING 175 YEARS OF WISCONSIN STATE FAIR TOGETHER
WEST ALLIS, Wis. – August 25, 2026 – The 2026 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by T-Mobile, celebrated 175 years together with 925,749 Fairgoers who visited over the 11 days.
“Whether you took a spin 230 feet in the air on the America 250 Wheel, raised a glass of Cream Puff Ale, danced at one of the many shows throughout the Fair Park or created new traditions with your loved ones, we feel blessed to have brought so many people together to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Wisconsin State Fair,” said Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black. “Delivering the best 11 days of summer to our fellow Wisconsinites is a job our team takes immense pride in, and we are grateful that so many Fairgoers joined us for this momentous anniversary.”
On Opening Day, Fairgoers generously opened their cupboards and their wallets during the Piggly Wiggly $5 Day, benefiting Hunger Task Force. The community’s generosity saw 59,000 pounds of food collected and $13,484 donated to further Hunger Task Force’s mission of providing food to people in need today and promoting social policies to achieve a hunger-free community tomorrow.
The 2026 Fair showed off the best of the best with nearly 10,000 competitive exhibits and nearly 8,000 animal entries judged and showcased this year. More than 2,700 ribbons were awarded for art, garden and history activities and 1,250 people tested their Fair knowledge with the Fair Flashback Trivia Time quiz.
There was fun for all ages with the Midwest debut of the largest portable observation wheel in the world, the America 250 Wheel. It was a smashing success with 82,284 riders enjoying a history lesson along with stunning views of Southeastern Wisconsin. And the fan-favorite Giant Slide welcomed 93,120 down their slopes. Wisconsin State Fair’s presenting sponsor, T-Mobile, engaged more than 16,000 people who took aim with their interactive slingshot rewards activation as one of the many free experiences available in the T-Mobile Terrace.
And the food was Fair-tastic. State Fair vendors created next-level food and drinks for the 2026 Sporkies & Drinkies, Wisconsin State Fair’s famed food and drink competition. From the top place finishers, 32,712 Birria Flamin’ Bombs from Fiesta Grill & Cantina and 7,000 Tilt-a-Spritzes from Old Fashioned Sipper Club were served to rave reviews. The Wisconsin Bakers Association baked and assembled more than 350,000 Cream Puffs to Fairgoers who enjoyed a taste of Wisconsin’s most iconic dessert – including the instant classic Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff: A Cheers to 175 Years! In the newly dubbed Wisconsin Building, Wisconsin Potatoes dished out 34,923 of their delicious spuds.
Chairman of the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board John Yingling, who oversaw the final of his 15 Fairs before he retires in October, added, “The Wisconsin State Fair showcases all the best Wisconsin has to offer. And the support from the thousands of State Fair staff, partners, vendors and volunteers was a sight to behold. I’d like to personally thank each of the 925,749 Fairgoers who helped us celebrate all that’s great about the Badger State together.”
The Wisconsin State Fair team is already busy preparing for the 2027 event, which will take place Thursday, Aug. 5 – Sunday, Aug. 15, 2027. Until then, visit Wisconsin State Fair Park this weekend for the thrilling Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile with action on and off the track Friday, Aug. 28 – Sunday Aug. 30, 2026. And come back for live entertainment, Fair food, family-fun activities and shopping during Harvest Fair, Oct. 2 – Oct. 4, 2026.
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