Albuquerque landowners asked to mark spots for 2026 balloon landings (58 characters)
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County landowners are being asked to let hot-air balloons land on their property during the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, scheduled for Oct. 3 through Oct. 11. The event’s “X Marks the Spot” program asks owners to place a large white X on their land to signal pilots that a landing is welcome.
About 200 white X markers are available at no cost, while supplies last. Residents may also make their own using white sheets or similar materials.
“Balloon Fiesta depends on the support and hospitality of the community, especially the landowners who are willing to provide pilots with additional landing options,” said Jennifer Garcia, the fiesta’s director of operations and logistics and event director.
Garcia said the white X gives pilots an important visual tool as the metro area grows and open land becomes more limited.
Pilots will carry cards to collect information from landowners after landing on a marked property. At the end of each day of flying, fiesta officials will draw one “landowner of the day” to receive a prize package.
Markers can be picked up Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at:
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta offices, 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE
- Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Posse, 10308 2nd Street NW
- North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7521 Carmel Ave NE
- The Village of Los Ranchos Administrative Office, 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
- Frontier Market, 3677 Corrales Rd, Corrales
- Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, 9800 4th St NW, Suite 2125
- Village of Corrales Hall, 4324 Corrales Rd, Corrales
