Red Bull Flugtag is Landing in Tampa this Fall

It’s been 13 years since the Red Bull event filled with humorous, wildly crazy, high-flying acts has been in Tampa. Lucky for us, the popular event will return to the Tampa Convention Center this fall. This morning, the City of Tampa announced that the Red Bull Flugtag will return on November 9, after stopping in Tampa in 2008 and 2011.

“We’re incredibly excited to welcome the Red Bull Flugtag back to Tampa, along with the 100,000 spectators it will bring,” said City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “We can’t wait to watch these daring pilots take flight, or maybe more accurately, take a plunge, right outside the Tampa Convention Center. It’s going to be an epic day, and most importantly, an economic boost of over $3 million to our city. It’s a win-win.”

What is Red Bull Flugtag?

Flugtag is German for “flying day.” The Red Bull Flugtag will feature around 40 teams and their human-powered contraptions that will run and launch off a 27-foot-tall flight deck and into the Hillsborough River.

The goal of the event is to achieve the longest glide off the platform in a homemade machine. There are no design restrictions on the machines however, they must be no more than 30-feet wide and 450 pounds, including the pilot. In addition to how far they fly, teams are also judged on creativity and their pre-flight “skit.” While no judges have been announced yet, the city promises and incredible lineup of judges for this year’s event. Judges will be announced at a later date.

The last team to win the Flugtag in Tampa in 2011 was team Willy Wonka’s Amazing Flying Flugtag Adventure. The machine featured a 12-foot-long Willy Wonka and four Oompa Loompas that pushed it to a 50-foot flight.

The Flugtag has been held in more than 50 countries and has hosted more than nine million spectators worldwide. The World Record for the longest flight currently sits at 258 feet, set by team Chicken Whisperers in Long Beach, CA in 2013!

How to Experience Red Bull Flugtag

Applications are currently being accepted for this year’s Flugtag starting July 8 and will remain open through September 19. Those who are creative and brave enough can apply on Red Bull’s website . Teams will be announced on September 23.

For those who would rather watch than defy gravity, they can come to The Tampa Convention Center on November 9 (time TBD). The Convention Center is located at 333 S. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa.

Looking for more things to do in Tampa? Check out 40+ Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay this Week.