The resiliency of Tampa, and our neighbors in St. Pete, Clearwater, Dunedin, and beyond is never in doubt. Despite two major storms, this region is still shining, and ready to put on a MASSIVE spectacle this area hasn’t seen in over a decade. Our city is open, our beaches are bouncing back, and we are ready to welcome visitors from all over the world.
The countdown is on for Red Bull Flugtag Tampa, set to launch on November 9 at the Tampa Convention Center. This high-flying event will see 32 flight crews take the plunge from a 27-foot platform, showcasing creative craft designs, performances, and flight distances for a panel of five elite judges. PS: I Love the ‘Burg will have a vessel in this event under the name “The Spirit of St. Pete” powered by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater paying homage to the history of flight in the Tampa Bay region.
It’s a reminder of the ingenuity and resiliency of St. Pete and the rest of Pinellas County. When it soars from the massive Red Bull Ship, you better believe our little Benoist will shine in front of thousands of visitors worldwide. We are so back.
The judging lineup includes Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, NFL Hall of Famer and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks, professional gamer and Tampa native Turner “Tfue” Tenney, Red Bull athlete and world champion surfer Caroline Marks, and global YouTube personality Twan Kuyper. Together, they’ll evaluate each team based on creativity, performance, and distance.
Past Champions take flight during the Red Bull Flugtag in Tampa
Among the competitors (our fierce competition) are past champions, such as Fantastic Flying Legends of Wrestling, and notable new teams like former NFL players Chris Long and Beau Allen’s “Put a Wing on It.” Local media powerhouse (their words, not ours) I Love the Burg will also join the fun, representing St. Pete with their craft, The Spirit of St. Pete. You can find the full list of teams here.
With more than 80,000 spectators expected, Red Bull Flugtag Tampa promises an exciting day of entertainment. The free, outdoor event offers first-come, first-serve seating and features activities for fans of all ages. Working alongside Red Bull North America, the City of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission aim to make it a safe, thrilling experience.
We are still shining and ready to flex on a national stage
The Spirt of St. Pete squad consists of:
- Liam Hawkins – Pilot
- Eli Lockwood – Ground Crew
- Dominic Cacolici – Ground Crew
- Jason Fraley – Ground Crew
- Lauren Zientarski – Ground Crew
Our pilot Liam Hawkins, when not working on innovative and creative flying contraptions, flies the world-famous art plane “The Mooney Anomaly” and “designs data centers for the freakin’ MOON,” writes our crew.
The I Love the ‘Burg team embodies the true spirit of aviation, blending bold engineering innovation with a pilot’s heart and soul. Inspired by the Benoist XIV, which launched the world’s first scheduled passenger flight right here in Tampa Bay, we’re gearing up to take off from the same waters—100 years later—with our modern twist on that historic airboat.
“As local aviators, we feel deeply connected to both the skies and the sea,” wrote the Spirit of St. Pete crew when applying for the event. “For us, Red Bull Flugtag goes beyond flying; it’s about creating an unforgettable story. And in this region, no story resonates more than the Benoist flight.”
Providing a major boost for local businesses
Another local crew, College Hunks Hauling Junk, got very creative in their design. The College HUNKS team, famous for their community-driven work across Tampa, jumped into action after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, clearing over 500 truckloads of debris.
Now, they’ve transformed that debris into their flying creation, the “HUNK of Flyin’ Junk,” ready to steal the show at Flugtag. Co-Founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman, along with President Roman Cowan, their spirited mascot CJ the College Junk Hunk, and the entire team, will pilot this eco-friendly craft, combining creativity with a commitment to sustainability.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor emphasized the city’s resilience, saying, “After two major hurricanes in just 13 days, the City of Tampa is still standing, and now, it’s time to fly.” The event also provides a major boost for local businesses, which, as Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins noted, “highlights our hometown’s strength and spirit.”
Fans can enjoy live music by DJ Dani, a special correspondent appearance by Red Bull athlete Parks Bonifay, and a livestream on Tfue’s Twitch. Check the Red Bull Flugtag website for updates, programming, and media resources.
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