Birdman Rally 2026 to air as three-hour special on Nippon TV

The 48th Birdman Rally (Iwatani Special Birdman Contest 2026) is set to be broadcast as a three-hour special on Nippon TV. Held at the shores of Lake Biwa in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, the competition features two main categories: human-powered propeller aircraft and gliders.

This year’s event includes 11 entries in the human-powered propeller category and 17 in the glider category. A new technical feature is the implementation of Real-Time Onboard (RTO) cameras in eight of the twelve human-powered propeller aircraft cockpits, providing viewers with direct footage from the pilots.

Snow Man member Ryohei Abe returns for his third consecutive year as a guest commentator. Abe noted the intense competition and the emotional weight of the participants' year-long preparations. He highlighted the technical challenges faced by teams, such as equipment malfunctions, and observed the high level of dedication among both university students and high school participants.