Red Bull Flugtag Returns to Tampa Bay For First Time Since 2011

TAMPA, FL (JUNE 24, 2024) – Tampa Bay, prepare for takeoff! Red Bull is looking for daring and creative teams to build handcrafted aircraft to take to the skies in the city’s first Red Bull Flugtag since 2011.

On Saturday, November 9, flight crews comprised of up to five people will launch one-of-a-kind airships off a 27-foot-tall flight deck constructed at the Tampa Convention Center in front of over 100,00 expected spectators. Imaginative and brave people with an interest in defying gravity can sign up at RedBull.com/redbullflugtagtampa starting July 8. The application period will close on September 19. Teams will be announced on September 23.

The free-to-attend event was announced today with a press conference at the Tampa Convention Center with City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Chairman of Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners, Ken Hagan, Visit Tampa Bay President and CEO, Santiago Corrada, and Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins.

“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.”

Also making remarks was Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioner, who echoed the mayor’s sentiment and highlighted the city’s long-lasting connection with Red Bull.

“To have the opportunity to continue growing our relationship with Red Bull in Tampa Bay is fantastic,” said Hagan. “Having hosted Flugtag twice previously as well as Wake Open, Red Bull is part of the fabric of this community, and we know thousands of locals and out-of-town guests will embrace this truly amazing event for a third time!”

Up to 40 teams will be judged on the design of their craft, the creativity of their pre-flight skit, and the distance of their flight as they compete for exclusive Red Bull experiences, meet-and-greets with Red Bull athletes, and more. The winners will be determined by an incredible lineup of judges that will be announced at a later date.

This will be the third Red Bull Flugtag held in Tampa. The last two occurred in 2008 and 2011. Team Tampa Bay Watch (2008) and Willy Wonka's Amazing Flying Flugtag Adventure (2011) were the past winners and were comprised of the same teammates.

The legendary Red Bull event has been held in over 50 countries and hosted nine million spectators worldwide. Over the years, Flugtag has seen winning crafts such as Greased Lightning (Portland, Oregon, 2008), Flight at the Roxbury (Pittsburgh, 2017) and last year’s Champions, Flite Test (Cincinnati, 2023). The World Record for the longest flight currently sits at 258 feet set by The Chicken Whisperers in Long Beach, CA in 2013.

Competing teams from Tampa Bay and all over the United States will be announced later this summer as will the panel of judges and even more surprises! Be sure to follow @RedBullUSA on Instagram and TikTok to and use http://RedBull.com/redbullflugtagtampa to stay up to date on everything Red Bull Flugtag Tampa Bay.

ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS FROM TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE:

Executive Director, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Rob Higgins

“Our relationship with Red Bull has always been outstanding and November’s event marks our next chapter together. We’re excited that this third time hosting Red Bull Flugtag will continue to showcase how much our community and Red Bull have both evolved since we last hosted in 2011. We can’t wait to welcome their great staff and passionate fans back to our hometown.”

President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay, Santiago Corrada

“Tampa Bay’s vibrant and welcoming culture makes it a destination of choice for event professionals seeking an authentic place to host an extraordinary contest. Red Bull Flugtag’s bold and thrilling competition is a perfect pairing between our venue and this event, and I, along with thousands of others, can’t wait until November to showcase everything new Tampa has to offer since we last hosted the Flugtag in 2011.”