2026 · VI.
Hot-air balloon race
Every year balloons rise above Kejžlice airfield and drift wherever the wind takes them. The one who flies the farthest wins.
Flight map
I. edition · 27/02/2021 · 4 balloons launched from Kejžlice
PrahaPlzeňKarlovy VaryKladnoRakovníkPříbramBenešovTáborKutná HoraPelhřimovJihlavaRokycany Start Kejžlice 1234Base map: Natural Earth, Mapzen Terrain Tiles (SRTM). For illustration only, not for navigation.
| Rank | Crew | Balloon | Registration | Landing | Airborne | Landing site | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | David Línek & Petr Klička | 3400 m³ | OK 9009 | 5 h 18 min | 49.56809 N, 18.80063 E | 245.028 km | |
| 2. | Miloš Kovář & Aleš Vašíček | 4500 m³ | OK 1608 | 5 h 15 min | 49.55029 N, 18.79600 E | 244.768 km | |
| 3. | Petr Kubíček & Tomáš Hora | 4500 m³ | OK 1129 | 3 h 1 min | 49.48569 N, 17.88816 E | 179.774 km | |
| 4. | Vladimír Lacina & Pavel Štol | 3400 m³ | OK 2407 | 2 h 10 min | 49.45736 N, 15.98984 E | 45.049 km |
Challenge cup holders
2026 · VI.
2025 · V.
2024 · IV.
2023 · III.
2022 · II.
2021 · I.
Photo gallery
We will add photos from the editions soon.
Videos
O pohár Jar. Haška v balónovém létání Kejžlice 2021
About the race
The race for the Jaroslav Hašek challenge cup takes place every year at Kejžlice airfield. The crews start together and the one that lands farthest from the start wins. The cup then travels with the winners until the next edition.
The VII. edition takes place on 27–31 January 2027, with reserve dates on 17–21 February 2027. Crews can apply through this website.

Challenge cup, a diploma of lead and steel and a barrel of beer.
Lipnice and Švejk – the castle, the U České koruny inn, breweries.
Start from 8:00, crews of two, landing by 17:00 in Czechia. The crew that flies the farthest wins.