One of the wildest spectacles in Tampa Bay is taking off once again! Red Bull Flugtag returns to the Tampa Convention Center (333 S Franklin St) on Saturday, November 9, promising an unforgettable day of laughs, thrills, and epic (often comical) airborne attempts. Marking its third appearance in Tampa—last seen in 2008 and 2011—this free event will run from noon to 5 p.m., drawing a crowd of up to 80,000 spectators downtown. Yes, that’s right—80,000 people flocking to witness homemade flying machines and some of the most creative minds taking a leap into Tampa’s waters.
We will have a vessel at the event in partnership with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater and I Love the ‘Burg. You can read all about it here.
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Arrive early or miss out!
With thousands expected to flood the Riverwalk and Convention Center area, traffic is bound to get congested, and parking will be limited. Red Bull Flugtag has become a legendary event for Tampa, combining creativity, engineering, and more than a touch of madness. Arriving early means you’ll snag a prime viewing spot to see each team attempt to “fly” their homemade contraptions off a 30-foot flight deck.
Recommended parking options to avoid congestion and road closures via City of Tampa:
- Fort Brooke Parking Garage – located at 107 N. Franklin Street, 0.3 miles from the Tampa Convention Center. Walk or take the free TECO Line Streetcar to Dick Greco Plaza Station.
- Park in Ybor and take the free TECO Line Streetcar to Dick Greco Plaza Station.
Expect road closures and detours
Plan ahead for road closures around the area. The West Platt Street Bridge and Harbour Island Bridge will both be closed for the day. Roadways nearby will also experience lane closures, so be prepared for some detours. Red Bull Flugtag advises attendees to use alternative transportation to minimize delays and ease traffic. A full road closure map can be found here.
There will also be two other events happening at the Convention Center on Saturday, so this area will be busy all day.
Take advantage of public transit options
Getting to the event doesn’t have to be a hassle. Head over to Ybor City, park there, and hop on the free TECO Streetcar to Greco Plaza—it’s an easy and scenic way to travel. HART buses, the DASH service, and even scooters or rideshare options are all encouraged for navigating downtown during the event. See the full schedule and map here.
High-energy fun in the heart of Tampa
Whether you’re in it for the thrills, the creativity, or just the laughs, Red Bull Flugtag is a can’t-miss experience in downtown Tampa. As always, keep safety in mind and watch for increased pedestrian activity around the Riverwalk. With tons of caffeine-fueled spectators cheering on Tampa’s brave pilots, this weekend promises to be one for the books. Learn more about the event here.
Know before you go: what to bring and not bring
What is not allowed at Flugtag?
- Firearms, or weapons of any kind.
- Drones
- Framed or large backpacks
- Alcohol or illegal drugs
- Glass containers
- Food
- Pets
- Tents
- No illegal vending is permitted
- No smoking allowed
What can I bring to Flugtag?
- Blankets
- Umbrellas (small hand-held style)
- Baby Strollers
- Portable/collapsible chair
- Regular-size/unframed backpacks
- Sealed water bottles
- Empty Camelbak or other empty plastic container (e.g., Nalgene bottle)
- Ice in soft-sided cooler or Camelbak. No large bags allowed.
- Binoculars
- Personal camera equipment
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