The Rochester Americans said they will attend the 2026 Rochester International Airshow on August 8-9, putting the team in front of fans at an event that also carries a charitable purpose. A portion of the Rochester Air Show will benefit the Sunny Mike Foundation.
That is why the announcement matters now: the weekend is set, the team is part of it, and the schedule is already fixed. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with flying starting around 10:30 a.m. and ending by 4 p.m., giving the show a clear window from morning through mid-afternoon.
The lineup is built around marquee acts and familiar crowd-pleasers. It includes the USAF Thunderbirds, the USMC F-35 B Jump Jet, the U S Army Golden Knights, Rick Volker-Marchetti, Commemorative Air force- P-51 RedTail, Rise Above Exhibit, Trevor Rafferty, and Class of ’45. The airshow is returning as a two-day event, and the mix of performers signals a full slate rather than a single headline moment.
What gives the day more weight is the work tied to the Sunny Mike Foundation. Dr. Debra Lubberts said the foundation exists to elevate the minds, bodies and spirits of veterans by connecting them to the services, resources and people they need. She also said it provides personalized care through local veteran organizations, financial support when necessary, and experiences meant to lift veterans up, with the aim of letting a little sun in for those who served.
That creates the show’s central split: it is presented as a public event built around aircraft and skydiving spectacle, but part of the weekend is also meant to help veterans in a practical way. The one number missing is the size of that benefit, and that is the figure readers still do not have.
For the Rochester Americans, the airshow appearance also lands beside the start of their season. The Amerks are scheduled to open their 71st American Hockey League season at home on Friday, Oct. 2 against the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies at The Blue Cross Arena, while Season Ticket Memberships for 2026-27 start as low as $22 per game and include Full and Half Season Membership options. For now, the airshow is the immediate date on the calendar, and it is set to bring both the team and the charity angle into the same weekend.
