Do these divers know that Red Bull only gives out metaphorical wings? Because this weekend, 24 athletes will take a dive off the Institute of Contemporary Art's rooftop into Boston Harbor.
That's right, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is back in the Seaport for its only U.S. appearance of the year, which also happens to be the season finale. On Friday, September 19, and Saturday, September 20, the Institute of Contemporary Art’s rooftop will transform into one of the most dramatic diving stages on the planet, where the world’s best will hurl themselves into the harbor like bags of colonial-era tea at speeds topping 50 miles per hour. Even better? It’s totally free to attend.
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If you’ve never seen cliff diving in person, prepare to have your jaw permanently dropped. Twenty-four elite athletes will launch from platforms as high as 90 feet, twist, somersault and slice into the water below while judges keep a watchful eye on every move. The women’s platform is 21 meters (69 feet) high, and the men’s is 27 meters (88.5 feet) in the air. Blink, and you’ll miss it, because divers hit the water in just three seconds, which is about as long as it takes most of us to process the fact that we’re watching someone voluntarily leap off a building.
Friday kicks things off with warm-ups and the first two rounds of competition beginning at 9:30am, followed by athlete interviews around lunchtime. Saturday morning brings more warm-ups, round three, and then the finals. The women crown their champion at 11:35am and the men at 12:20pm, and by 1pm, Boston will have witnessed the official crowning of the 2025 World Champions. Both the men’s and women’s titles will be awarded on U.S. soil for the very first time, and the coveted King Kahekili Trophy is returning stateside for the first time since 2010.
As for who to watch, Team USA will be out in full force, with reigning World Champion James Lichtenstein looking to defend his title, while Kaylea Arnett, America’s top-ranked female diver, is set to make waves of her own. But don’t count out international heavyweights like Australia’s Rhiannan Iffland, an eight-time world title holder whose dominance in the sport is legendary.
Crowds of thousands are expected to line the waterfront, so get there early if you want a prime view. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a sports fan or just looking for an unforgettable way to spend the weekend, this is one event that promises to make a splash—literally.