Microsoft Flight Simulator Reveals October Launch for National Championship Air Races Expansion

Microsoft Flight Simulator has announced that its upcoming National Championship Air Races expansion will launch on October 13, 2026. The release date was revealed during Xbox's Gamescom 2026 coverage in Cologne, Germany, where Microsoft Flight Simulator head Jorg Neumann and Reno Air Racing Association President Tony Logoteta discussed the project.

The new content builds upon previous air racing features introduced by Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Reno Air Racing Association. Players will be able to compete on courses used at both the National Championship Air Races in Roswell, New Mexico, and the historic Reno race course.

Logoteta noted that experienced pilots worked closely with the development team to capture the demands of competitive air racing. The expansion introduces new features such as aircraft management, where players must monitor factors like manifold pressure and engine temperatures while racing.

The National Championship Air Races will take place from September 16-20 at Roswell Air Center, and attendees can experience the new content firsthand through an interactive Microsoft Flight Simulator exhibit on site.