St. Petersburg is locking in a global spotlight in 2026, when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series makes its only U.S. stop at the St. Pete Pier on June 5–6. Custom platforms will rise above the waterfront so women can launch from roughly 70 feet and men from nearly 90 feet into Tampa Bay, and organizers say the whole thing will be free to watch. The announcement is already drawing interest from international athletes and is expected to pack the downtown waterfront.
Organizers praise the waterfront
Orlando Duque, sports director for the series, has been clear about why St. Pete made the cut, calling the location “so cool” for spectators and pointing out that fans will be able to watch from the pier, nearby parks or from boats in the basin. The competition will rely on a temporary structure built over the water so divers can reach official heights of about 70 feet for women and nearly 90 feet for men, and organizers say the water depth near the pier checks out for the series’ safety standards. Those details surfaced during the local announcement, as reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Event logistics and viewing
According to Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater, the two day competition will unfold at the St. Pete Pier on June 5–6, with free outdoor viewing from the pier, surrounding parks and boats in the basin. Red Bull notes that the U.S. stop is scheduled to be broadcast live on Red Bull TV at 13:00 EDT, and organizers plan to release detailed maps of viewing zones and safety measures as the event approaches.
What it means for downtown
Organizers say the downtown waterfront could see tens of thousands of people, with Red Bull’s sports director suggesting a crowd of at least 50,000 spectators. City marketers are eyeing a ripple effect for hotels, restaurants and local tours. FOX 13 Tampa Bay has compared the expected turnout to Red Bull’s 2024 Flugtag event, which drew more than 80,000 people to the region. Residents and visitors are being told to anticipate heavy demand for parking and boat space, and officials are working on guidance for access and crowd control ahead of the competition.
How to watch and practical tips
For anyone who cannot make it to the pier, Red Bull will stream the U.S. stop live on Red Bull TV at 13:00 EDT, with replays available afterward. If you are heading downtown in person, Visit St. Pete‑Clearwater recommends arriving early, using nearby parking or the free Downtown Looper, and scoping out vantage points from boats or waterfront parks for the best views of those 70 and 90 foot drops.
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