The 2026 Iowa State Fair has put its pursuit of the all-time record attendance into overdrive.

Attendance Saturday, Aug. 22, was 130,654, the fair reported Sunday, setting not only the record for Day 10 of the 11-day fair, but the record for the most single-day attendance in fair history.

Iowa State Fair judge Doug Moore samples an entry in the best cinnamon roll contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 22, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Iowa State Fair judge Doug Moore samples an entry in the best cinnamon roll contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 22, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Entries for the Great Cinnamon Roll Challenge at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 22, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Entries for the Great Cinnamon Roll Challenge at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 22, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Becky Hayden during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Becky Hayden during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cecelia LeGranol, 5, helps hold the flag during the national anthem at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cecelia LeGranol, 5, helps hold the flag during the national anthem at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cari Shemenski finishes the first round in first during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cari Shemenski finishes the first round in first during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lainey Knipper during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lainey Knipper during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
An Elvis impersonator, "King Incognito”, James David Brown before the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
An Elvis impersonator, "King Incognito”, James David Brown before the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cindy and Angela Zinzer pet a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Cindy and Angela Zinzer pet a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
One of the piglets visitors were able to pet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
One of the piglets visitors were able to pet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
CJ wood pets a duckling at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
CJ wood pets a duckling at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Hattie Alex, 9, and her mother Sarah Alex pet a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Hattie Alex, 9, and her mother Sarah Alex pet a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Bree Tedford, 8, holds a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Bree Tedford, 8, holds a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lany and Levi Palmer pet a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lany and Levi Palmer pet a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Jeff and Gemma Waldschmitt pets some ducklings at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Jeff and Gemma Waldschmitt pets some ducklings at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Leo and Hattie Alex hold a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Leo and Hattie Alex hold a piglet at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Kily Palmer kisses a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Kily Palmer kisses a kid at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Charlotte Wobschall and Makayla Allen hold kids Bob and Randy at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Charlotte Wobschall and Makayla Allen hold kids Bob and Randy at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. During the Snuggles and Cuddles event where visitors are able to get a hands on experience with baby animals. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lynda Triggs during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Lynda Triggs during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Ann Hegstrom during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Ann Hegstrom during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Naney Fox during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Naney Fox during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Contestants during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
Contestants during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)

The previous all-time daily attendance record was 128,732, set in 2024.

The previous Day 10 record was 123,140, set in 2022.

Saturday's epic throng brought 2026 fair attendance to 1,114,985. That's just 67,697 short of the 2024 fair's record for overall fair attendance of 1,182,682. Average daily attendance in 2026 has been 111,499 through Saturday.

With unusually pleasant mild weather for August on the fair's final day, Sunday ― partly cloudy and reaching a high just below 80 ― there is no doubt left that the 2026 fair will become the first with attendance exceeding 1.2 million.

The final word on the fair's total attendance, as well as Sunday's crowd, will come Monday.

As it now stands, the 2026 fair, which began inauspiciously Thursday, Aug. 13, with a drenching downpour, followed by the cancellation of Grandstand headliner Rod Stewart's show Friday, Aug. 14, now holds four daily attendance records (as well as Saturday's all-time single-day record):

Day 4, Sunday, Aug. 16 (123,140).

Day 5, Monday, Aug. 17 (111,159).

Day 9, Friday, Aug. 21 (114,256).

Day 10, Saturday, Aug. 22 (130,654).

The all-time most-attended Iowa State Fair in 2024 holds attendance records for only two days.

At least for now, the 2025 Iowa State Fair is third on the all-time attendance list at 1,160,121. That's only 45,136 more than the 2026 fair has drawn so far.

Mary Beth Zelle of Waverly holds stalks of corn during FFA farm crop judging on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Mary Beth Zelle of Waverly holds stalks of corn during FFA farm crop judging on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Red heads back to his pen after the Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Red won second place in the competition at 1,240 pounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Red heads back to his pen after the Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Red won second place in the competition at 1,240 pounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
From left: Noah Stepp and Aubrey Carroll share an order of mini doughnuts on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
From left: Noah Stepp and Aubrey Carroll share an order of mini doughnuts on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Bandit heads to his holding pen after being weighed in this year's Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Bandit heads to his holding pen after being weighed in this year's Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Ron Fodor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, takes a photo with Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Ron Fodor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, takes a photo with Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
FFA Judges Clark Adam and Lucas Roberts judge ears of corn on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
FFA Judges Clark Adam and Lucas Roberts judge ears of corn on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Fairgoers arrive for the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Fairgoers arrive for the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Bo Plants, 13, of Montazuma, carries a large stuffed bear he won playing a ring toss game at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Bo Plants, 13, of Montazuma, carries a large stuffed bear he won playing a ring toss game at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Tysen Taylor of Lincoln, Nebraska, holds his 2-year-old son Ryker up to show him snakes at the Snakes Alive animal exhibit at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Tysen Taylor of Lincoln, Nebraska, holds his 2-year-old son Ryker up to show him snakes at the Snakes Alive animal exhibit at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Evie Graham, 2, steps in a puddle at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. Rainy conditions persisted on and off throughout the day. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Evie Graham, 2, steps in a puddle at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. Rainy conditions persisted on and off throughout the day. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Connor Birdsong falls into a pool of water, losing a log rolling competition to Kian Glor during the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Connor Birdsong falls into a pool of water, losing a log rolling competition to Kian Glor during the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Kian Glor raises his arms in the air after winning a log rolling competition during the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Kian Glor raises his arms in the air after winning a log rolling competition during the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Tim Connor of Aubrey, Texas, reacts to the winning pumpkin’s weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Tim Connor of Aubrey, Texas, reacts to the winning pumpkin’s weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Pumpkins are placed on the scale during the big pumpkin weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Pumpkins are placed on the scale during the big pumpkin weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Participants in the Iowa State Fair PRCA Pro Rodeo compete on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Participants in the Iowa State Fair PRCA Pro Rodeo compete on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district Sarah Trone Garriott volunteers at the West Des Moines Methodist Church food stand on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 3rd congressional district Sarah Trone Garriott volunteers at the West Des Moines Methodist Church food stand on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks visits the Iowa Pork Producers tent at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks visits the Iowa Pork Producers tent at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Fairgoers line up for food while carrying umbrellas and wearing rain jackets on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Fairgoers line up for food while carrying umbrellas and wearing rain jackets on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Fairgoers look at the map for the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Fairgoers look at the map for the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Dalton Stults, left, and Max Johnson of Beattie’s Watermelon Stand prepare watermelon for customers on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Dalton Stults, left, and Max Johnson of Beattie’s Watermelon Stand prepare watermelon for customers on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Dirty Ernie participates in the 2026 Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Dirty Ernie participates in the 2026 Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Anne Ling from West Des Moines gives a final call after winning the Ladies Chicken Calling Contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at Pioneer Hall in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
Anne Ling from West Des Moines gives a final call after winning the Ladies Chicken Calling Contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, at Pioneer Hall in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
The Devine Dancers group from Des Moines performs on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
The Devine Dancers group from Des Moines performs on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
Taner Erwine shows off his shirt on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Taner Erwine shows off his shirt on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Henry Crimmins, 8, left, arm wrestles Theo Becker, 7, at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Henry Crimmins, 8, left, arm wrestles Theo Becker, 7, at the Iowa Craft Beer Tent at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Kaiden J. Yu/The Register)
Jim Fisher holds his ram after winning the Big Ram contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026. Big Bad Joe broke an Iowa State Fair record and may set a Guinness World Record. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
Jim Fisher holds his ram after winning the Big Ram contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026. Big Bad Joe broke an Iowa State Fair record and may set a Guinness World Record. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
TJ Goecke from State Center brings his bull Big E to the stage after winning the Super Bull contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
TJ Goecke from State Center brings his bull Big E to the stage after winning the Super Bull contest on the first day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2026, in Des Moines. (Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune)
People walk along the Grand Concourse on the second day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
People walk along the Grand Concourse on the second day of the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Participants in the Iowa State Fair PRCA Pro Rodeo compete on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Participants in the Iowa State Fair PRCA Pro Rodeo compete on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Bondurant Farrar FFA student Jocelyn Goodrich picks produce while tending to The Garden at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Bondurant Farrar FFA student Jocelyn Goodrich picks produce while tending to The Garden at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
LaTona and Memphis Lord watch as their pumpkin is weighed during the big pumpkin contest on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
LaTona and Memphis Lord watch as their pumpkin is weighed during the big pumpkin contest on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Children take a photo with a pumpkin during the big pumpkin weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)
Children take a photo with a pumpkin during the big pumpkin weigh-in on Aug. 14, 2026, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. (Cody Scanlan/The Register)

If as expected the 2026 fair becomes the most-attended in Iowa State Fair history, five of the six fairs since the 2020 cancellation because of the COVID-19 pandemic will have had total attendance within the all-time top 10.

Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at [email protected] or 515-284-8132.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State Fair attendance on Saturday, Aug. 22, is largest ever