Thirteen years after 220,000 spectators gathered at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront , the dream of human flight is soaring back to South African shores. On Sunday 2 November 2025, 50 teams will launch their wildly creative flying machines from a six-meter platform, transforming the iconic waterfront into a theatre of imagination, engineering, and pure South African spirit.
A Legacy Written in the Wind
Red Bull Flugtag truly took flight in 1992 in Vienna, Austria, when daring pioneers jumped out of planes with homemade flying machines powered by nothing more than cardboard, creativity, and courage. It’s thrilled over a million fans in over 50 nations ever since, including 220 000 fans in Cape Town on 09 December 2012.
A Tapestry of South African Stories
With Red Bull Flugtag’s return to South Africa, 50 teams represent a remarkable cross-section of the Rainbow Nation. From the townships of Cape Town to the corporate towers of Johannesburg, from university campuses to family kitchens, the teams embody the full spectrum of South African life.
Cape Town-based group The Extras are made up of family members married into the same clan no surprise they named themselves that. “We want to create something special by combining our personas,” says Mitchell’s Plain’s Joseph Van Syfer. In YoungstaCPT’s lyrical footsteps, they plan to take “Wynberg to London in a quantum” to life, living by the mantra: “If it looks aerodynamic, it probably isn’t—but it’ll look cool going down!”
Koppie Kopters, a Gauteng web development team, is the proudest multinational group in the competition with South Africans, Canadians, and Kenyans. Appealing to Red Bull Flugtag, they’re here to make spectacle, not distance, with a name inspired by Table Mountain and helicopter hats. One of their team members, Yves, also makes psytrance music when he’s not constructing flying devices.
Team FlySafair brings a fresh attitude and a professional edge. The aviation engineers are all under 26 and aim to turn their jobs into flight careers. Look for the striking pink and blue FlySafair-branded aircraft – it represents Springbok pride and high expectations.
The Wing Nuts, from Fourways, are on a mission. This team of aviation-crazy pilots and enthusiasts competed in 2012 and have spent 13 years seeking redemption. They are serious contenders who want to beat the current world record. Their preparation includes “lots of design on the machine, show choreographers, and a costume crew.
A Feast of Creativity
Even the team names tell stories. Air Wors and Wors Case Scenario celebrate boerewors. Bunny Chowers nods to Durban’s beloved bunny chow. Hakuna Matuktuk fuses Disney charm with local transport. Rassies Dassies blends rugby culture and wildlife.
From Gauteng come Flying Minions and Curve Gear. KwaZulu-Natal contributes Red Flamingoes. The Western Cape dominates with 32 teams, including Quantum Mechanics (with a taxi theme), the ambitious Da Vinci’s Dream, and Fishin’ Impossible with a flying fish concept.
Red Bull Flugtag 2025 is more than a competition, it’s a celebration of South African creativity, community, and courage. With teams aiming to break records, inspire laughter, and honour South Africa’s creative spirit, Red Bull Flugtag 2025 promises to be unforgettable.
For more information on Red Bull Flugtag, please click here
