Overview
- The fair, which ran Aug. 27 through Sept. 7, posted an official total of 1,923,325 attendees, a decline of 17,544 from 2025.
- The event opened with two record days, including 204,065 on the first Friday, and the single busiest day was the second Saturday with nearly 218,000 visitors.
- Attendance slipped through the fair’s second week, highlighted by a second-Friday count of 155,204 that was the weakest second Friday since 2014 when excluding the pandemic year 2021.
- Total attendance counts each daily entry so repeat visitors are counted multiple times, and final consolidated ticket‑revenue figures for 2026 have not yet been released.
- Fair officials said they expect year-to-year variation and will focus on guest experience as they prepare for Aug. 26–Sept. 6, 2027, with planned site work such as a 4‑H building renovation during the off season.