US NAVY BLUE ANGELS TO HEADLINE THE INAUGURAL THUNDER OVER LOUISIANA AIR SHOW PRESENTED BY KIA OF LAKE CHARLES

Kia of Lake Charles Named Official Presenter of the 2026 TOLA

LAKE CHARLES – Today, the Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show Presented by KIA of Lake Charles announced that the United States Navy Blue Angels will headline the inaugural show August 28-30, 2026, at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, LA. The show also announced today that Kia of Lake Charles will be the official sponsor of the show. The official name of the event is now the Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show Presented by Kia of Lake Charles.

The Blue Angels announcement was delivered today at the International Council of Air Shows’ (ICAS) annual convention in Las Vegas where the Navy confirmed the Blue Angels’ participation in next summer’s show. Last week, the Blue Angels toured Chennault and met with show organizers in anticipation of the announcement at ICAS.

The Blue Angels are known around the world for their six F/A-18 Super Hornets in their iconic blue and gold paint scheme. The team will fly in formations as close as 18” apart and at speeds up to 700 mph. Additional performing acts for the Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show Presented by Kia of Lake Charles will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The Blue Angels are the most sought-after performing act on the planet. For the United States Navy to select Thunder Over Louisiana speaks to the Navy’s confidence in the show’s success,” said Herb Gillen, President of Herb Gillen Airshows, the producers of

TOLA. “We are honored to showcase the power and precision of the Blue Angels to southwest Louisiana and to deliver a summer weekend of jaw-dropping thrills and breath-taking performances.” Since 2008, Kia of Lake Charles has been the premier Kia dealer for Lake Charles, Silsbee, Port Arthur, Alexandria, and Orange. Over this time, Kia of Lake Charles has been ingrained in southwest Louisiana, giving back to the communities that have supported them over the years. As a sponsor of Thunder Over Louisiana, Kia of Lake Charles will be a partner in delivering a thrilling entertainment spectacle rivaling any air show across the nation.

“Kia of Lake Charles is proud to continue its partnership with Chennault International Airport as the lead sponsor of the Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show,” said John Java, Owner of Kia of Lake Charles.

“We are extremely grateful to Kia of Lake Charles for their generous support for this air show. Without them, we would not be able to put on the world-class event that their support allows,” said Gillen.

Tickets for the 2026 Thunder Over Louisiana Air Show Presented by Kia of Lake Charles will go on sale for the general public at 8 a.m., on December 16, and advance ticket sales exclusively for Air Show Insights members begin December 13, also at 8 a.m. All ticket information and seating options is available on the Thunder Over Louisiana Presented by Kia of Lake Charles website, www.ThunderOverLouisiana.com. On the site, air show enthusiasts can register as an Air Show Insights member for an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets before they become available to the general public. Air Show Insights memberships are free, and members will receive periodic news updates about the air show, including performer information and event announcements.