The Great Reno Balloon Race

09/13/2026

The competition is heating up! 🎈🏆

Here are your current standings heading into the FINAL day of the 45th Great Reno Balloon Race!

🥇 Upgrade! - Justin Wilkinson
🥈 Orange! - Michael Stone
🥉 Battle Born - Pat Irwin

With one more morning of competition ahead, it all comes down to Sunday! Who will take the top spot? 👀🎯

We’ll see you bright and early for the final day of GRBR 2026! 🎈

09/13/2026

✨ LAST CHANCE to get your GRBR friendship bracelets! 🎈💖

Tomorrow, 9/13 is the final day of The Great Reno Balloon Race, so don’t leave the park without adding a little GRBR friendship to your wrist! 🫶

A huge thank you to our Friendship Bracelet Sponsors: Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, Keltic Fish, Nevada Barricade PacStates, Q&D Construction and Sunbelt Rentals for helping us spread a little extra friendship around the field. 🎈

Come get yours tomorrow at the stage, starting at 6:15AM (while supplies last)! ✨

09/13/2026

Don't forget to capture the magic of The Great Reno Balloon Race this September for the 2026 Photo Contest,
presented by GRBR and Reno Tahoe!✨📸

Submit your favorite photo of GRBR 2026 for a chance to win a hot air balloon ride for 2 during the 2027 event! Submissions will be accepted from September 10-20, 2026. After the submission period ends, the top ones will be selected, and you can vote on your favorite photo finalists. Link in comments to submit! 🎈

09/13/2026

Ever wonder why we’re up before the sun? 🎈🌅

Hot air balloons fly in the early morning when cooler temperatures and calmer, more stable winds create the best conditions for ballooning.

‼️ And you have ONE MORE CHANCE to see it for yourself! 🎈 Set the alarm, grab your crew and get to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park tomorrow morning, 9/13 for the FINAL DAY of The Great Reno Balloon Race! Gates open at 3:30AM

Don’t sleep through your last chance to look up! 🌅🎈

Photo Credit: Brynn Herman, GRBR Photographer

09/12/2026

THEY CAN HEAR YOU! ✨🎈🌙

Dawn Patrol lighting up the Reno sky before the sun even gets a chance! There’s nothing quite like seeing these balloons glow, fire up and take flight in the early morning hours.

Get ready to join us for one more day of balloon magic tomorrow, 9/13!

09/12/2026

Grace at the reno balloon race

09/12/2026

ONE more day of family fun, spectacular views, and glowing balloons!
Let's make this Sunday, 9/13 morning one for the books🌟🎈

Parking/transportation reminders:
✨Day-of general public parking is available at Rancho San Rafael Park for a cash donation to the event
✨Park free at UNR Green and Blue 1 lots
✨RTC will be adding extra service to the RAPID Virginia Line and extending the route to Rancho San Rafael Park

09/12/2026

Live from Reno: Dawn Patrol, Glow Show, Mass Ascension and more at The Great Reno Balloon Race.

09/12/2026

Someone 2 Know at The Great Reno Balloon Race! 🎈🎯

Meet Allen Anderson, one of the dedicated flight operations team members who helps make the competition side of GRBR possible! There’s a lot that goes into creating the challenges our pilots take on during race weekend, and Allen plays an important role in setting up and coordinating the competition.

Thank you to KTVN 2 News for shining a spotlight on Allen and giving everyone a closer look at this unique side of The Great Reno Balloon Race!

We’re grateful for volunteers like Allen who share their time, knowledge and passion for ballooning with us year after year. ❤️🎈

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Meet the man who sets the stage for the Great Reno Balloon Race – and learn what it takes for pilots to win the competition.

09/12/2026

Tomorrow, we paint the park pink! Wear your favorite shade of pink in honor of breast cancer awareness 🎈🎀

🗓️ Saturday, September 12