RED BULL CLIFF DIVING WORLD SERIES BRINGS ONLY U.S. STOP TO ST. PETE

World's best cliff divers to compete from heights up to 90 feet at St. Pete Pier, June 5-6, marking Florida's first-ever World Series stop

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (April 7, 2026) — The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will bring its only U.S. stop of the 2026 season to St. Pete Pier on June 5-6, where the world's best cliff divers will take over the iconic waterfront for a two-day competition high above Tampa Bay.

Marking the World Series’ first-ever event in Florida, the stop will feature 24 elite athletes (12 women, 12 men) launching from platforms built above the pier reaching heights of up to 70 feet for women and 90 feet for men. In just three seconds of freefall, divers hit speeds of 53 mph before entering the water with precision and control.

Set against the downtown waterfront at the North Yacht Basin, the St. Pete Pier will transform into a natural amphitheater. Thousands of spectators will be able to experience the action from multiple vantage points across the pier, surrounding parks, and boats in the bay, bringing fans closer than ever to the action.

As the only U.S. stop on the 2026 calendar, the event offers a rare opportunity for American fans to experience the sport live.

A strong U.S. roster will take center stage on home soil, including Kaylea Arnett, Lisa Faulkner, and James Lichtenstein.

Athletes will perform increasingly complex dives judged on execution, synchronization, and artistic impression—pushing the limits of precision, control, and mental strength in a sport with zero margin for error. Reigning champions Rhiannan Iffland and Gary Hunt are expected to headline the competition as they look to defend their titles.

BUILDING MOMENTUM IN THE U.S.
Known as the “Sunshine City,” St. Pete delivers a high-energy waterfront setting where sport meets skyline, turning the St. Pete Pier into a world-class stage for cliff diving.

The stop follows a landmark moment for the sport in the United States, when James Lichtenstein made history at the 2025 World Series finale in Boston, becoming the first American male diver ever to win on U.S. soil in front of tens of thousands of fans.“Winning in Boston last season was a huge moment—not just for me, but for the sport in the U.S. The energy from the crowd was incredible, and it meant everything to have that moment at home,” said James Lichtenstein. “To now come into St. Pete as the only U.S. stop this year, it feels like we’re building something bigger, and I’m excited for fans to experience it again.”

ST. PETE AS A NEW GLOBAL STAGE
The St. Pete stop is part of a six-event global series spanning three continents and marks the second stop of the 2026 season. The season opens in Bali, Indonesia (May 20–23), before heading to Florida. The series then continues to Copenhagen, Denmark (June 27), Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina (July 31–August 1), Polignano a Mare, Italy (September 25–27), and concludes in Muscat, Oman (November 12–14, TBC).

*Final confirmation subject to ongoing developments in the region.

EVENT DETAILS
Event: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series – St. Pete, Florida
Dates: Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2026
Location: St. Pete Pier / North Yacht Basin
Athletes: 24 (12 women, 12 men)
Admission: Free and open to the public

HOW TO WATCH
This year’s Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series USA edition will be broadcast from 1:00 PM ET on Red Bull TV. Watch live or catch the full replay on Red Bull TV.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more details on 2026 athletes and event updates, visit redbullcliffdiving.com or the Red Bull Cliff Diving Newsroom.

ABOUT THE RED BULL CLIFF DIVING WORLD SERIES
Since 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has brought together the world’s best athletes to compete at the highest level of the sport, launching from natural cliffs, historic bridges, iconic buildings, and extraordinary settings around the world. Diving from heights of up to 70 feet (women) and 90 feet (men), athletes reach speeds of more than 50 mph in just three seconds of freefall, relying on precision, control, and mental strength. Staged at iconic locations around the world, the series blends sport, scale, and spectacle, drawing thousands of fans on-site and millions more watching globally.

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