FS Weekend returns in this year with several changes compared with previous editions, including the first confirmed attendance of Microsoft as an exhibitor. The event, which has grown into one of the larger flight simulation gatherings in Europe, will again be held at the Aviodrome Aviation Museum in Lelystad, Netherlands. Scheduled for March 21 and 22, the exhibition will run from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days. Pre-event activities begin the evening before, on Friday, March 20, with the Captain’s Dinner and the Flight Sim Awards ceremony.
Attendance in recent years has steadily increased, and organizers expect around 5,000 visitors across the weekend. In response, the exhibition area has been expanded to accommodate additional exhibitors and larger display setups. Ticket options include single-day and weekend passes, with entry also granting access to the Aviodrome Aviation Museum during event hours. Separate tickets are available for the Friday evening Captain’s Dinner and the Saturday night After Dark Party.
Exhibition and exhibitors
More than 60 exhibitors are expected to attend this year’s event. The exhibition will feature a mix of flight simulation software developers, hardware manufacturers, and service providers. Companies such as Navigraph, Honeycomb Aeronautical, iniBuilds, PMDG, WinCTRL, and MeridianGMT are among those confirmed to appear. For many attendees, the exhibition floor is the central part of the weekend. Developers typically use the event to demonstrate upcoming products, show new hardware, and interact directly with users. Demonstration setups and simulator rigs are a common feature throughout the venue. You can view the full Partners & Exhibitors Floor Plan here.
One notable change for 2026 is Microsoft’s planned presence. Although the company’s Flight Simulator team has been closely connected with the community in recent years, this will be the first time Microsoft attends FS Weekend as an exhibitor. The exhibition space itself is divided into several themed halls, including areas sponsored by Honeycomb Aeronautical, Navigraph, WinCTRL, Meridian GMT, and iniBuilds. A dedicated “Community Corner” section will also host smaller developers and community groups.
Organizers have added approximately 400 square meters of additional exhibition space this year, which should allow for larger booths and reduce crowding during peak hours.
The FSElite Stage
Alongside the exhibition, the FSElite Stage will once again host a series of presentations and developer talks. The program runs from late morning until the afternoon on both days. Saturday’s schedule begins with a presentation from Microsoft Flight Simulator, followed by sessions from WinCTRL, Navigraph, OnAir, Meridian GMT, Aerosoft with ToLiss, and MOZA. On Sunday, companies including VirtualFly, Tailstrike.io, Vector Studio, ExcelleAir, and FlyByWire Simulations are scheduled to present.
These talks typically include product updates, previews of upcoming releases, and discussions about development projects. Between sessions, organizers plan short audience segments such as quizzes and giveaways. For those unable to attend in person, the full stage program will be streamed online.
Flight Sim Awards return
The Flight Sim Awards will also return for a second year. The awards aim to recognize projects and individuals across a range of categories covering freeware, payware, hardware, and community contributions. Categories include Best Freeware Aircraft, Best Freeware Scenery, Best Aircraft Add-on, Best Scenery Add-on, Outstanding Hardware, Best Customer Support, and several community-focused awards such as the Rising Star Award and Community Contribution Award.
Eligibility is limited to products or projects released or significantly updated during 2025. The nomination process involved suggestions gathered from community creators and audiences, followed by a public voting period that closed on March 2. Winners will be announced during the Flight Sim Awards ceremony at the Captain’s Dinner on Friday evening. The ceremony will also be streamed online.
Social events and community gatherings
Beyond the exhibition itself, FS Weekend also includes several social events aimed at bringing the community together. The Captain’s Dinner on Friday evening takes place at the Van der Valk Hotel Lelystad and serves as the venue for the Flight Sim Awards ceremony. The event includes dinner and drinks and is designed as a more relaxed setting for developers, content creators, and attendees to meet before the exhibition opens.
On Saturday night, the After Dark Party will take place at The Base, located in the same hotel. The event runs from 21:00 until 01:00 and is restricted to attendees aged 18 and over. Both events have historically sold out quickly, reflecting the demand for informal networking opportunities around the main exhibition.
A growing community event
FS Weekend has developed into one of the more prominent community events in flight simulation. Its combination of exhibition space, developer presentations, awards, and social events has made it a meeting point for both industry figures and hobbyists.
With more exhibitors, expanded floor space, and Microsoft’s first appearance at the show, the 2026 edition appears set to continue that trajectory. For attendees, the weekend offers an opportunity to try new hardware, hear directly from developers, and engage with others involved in the flight simulation community.