This weekend, the St. Pete Pier in Florida will host the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series for the first time. The event, which is the only U.S. stop in the 2026 season, will take place on Friday and Saturday, offering a thrilling spectacle for attendees.
Professional divers will leap from a custom-built tower, with men diving from a height of 89 feet and women from 70 feet. Within just three seconds of freefall, these athletes can reach speeds of up to 53 miles per hour, making for an exhilarating display of skill and courage.
Kaylea Arnett, one of the 12 female competitors, shared in an interview that cliff diving is still an emerging sport for many. “When they see it live, it’s a totally different experience than watching it on TV or Instagram,” she said, highlighting the intensity and scale of the event.
Event Schedule and Viewing Options
The initial rounds are set for Friday from 12:30 to 2:15 p.m., with Saturday featuring a pre-show at 12:30 p.m., final rounds from 1:00 to 2:45 p.m., and an awards ceremony immediately following. The event site will open to the public at 10 a.m. each day.
There are several public viewing areas available, including Spa Beach, Bayshore Drive N.E., North Straub Park, and the St. Pete Pier itself. For those looking to watch from the water, boats are allowed in the North Yacht Basin on a first-come, first-served basis, and paddle boards, kayaks, and other non-motorized vessels are welcome, though swimming is prohibited.
Video screens will be set up in North Straub Park and the Spa Beach area, with a floating screen positioned off Bayshore Drive, ensuring that everyone has a chance to catch the action.
A Rich History of Cliff Diving
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series began in 2009 in La Rochelle, France, but the sport itself dates back nearly 30 years, with the first World Championships held in Brontallo, Switzerland, in 1997. Cliff diving has its roots in Hawaii, where King Kahekili famously leaped from the holy cliffs of Kaunolo in the 1700s.
After its stop in St. Petersburg, the 2026 series will continue to Copenhagen, Denmark; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Polignano a Mare, Italy; and Muscat, Oman, showcasing this daring sport to audiences around the world.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
