Microsoft Flight Simulator has revealed plans for an exciting Red Bull Air Race challenge at FlightSimExpo 2026, giving attendees the opportunity to test their flying skills in virtual reality and compete for a place in a live tournament on the FSElite Stage.
Visitors to the Microsoft Flight Simulator booth throughout Saturday will be able to fly the Red Bull Air Race course using a high-end PCVR setup powered by Pimax. The experience aims to showcase the speed, precision, and intensity of low-altitude air racing from a fully immersive cockpit perspective.
Whether you’re an experienced virtual pilot or trying flight simulation in VR for the first time, attendees will be able to put their skills to the test and see how quickly they can complete the course.
The competition will also feature a Community vs. Creator Tournament. The two attendees who set the fastest qualifying times before 3pm on Saturday, June 13, will secure a place in the live event, taking place at 4pm / 21:00 UTC on the FSElite Stage.
Those two qualifiers will compete against well-known flight simulation content creators Blu Games, Moosestaffa, NickFlightX, and Twotonemurphy for a chance to win prizes provided by MOZA.
For those wanting to prepare in advance, the qualifying event at the Microsoft Flight Simulator booth will take place on the Abu Dhabi course. The two successful community racers will receive a bye into the semifinal stage, where they will once again race on the Abu Dhabi circuit against one of the invited creators. The grand final will then move to the Spielberg course.
All races will be flown using the Intermediate difficulty setting, although pilots will be free to enable or disable race assist options according to their own preferences.
Microsoft Flight Simulator also confirmed that its development team will be present throughout FlightSimExpo 2026, giving attendees the opportunity to meet staff members and discuss the future of the platform.
FlightSimExpo 2026 takes place in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from June 12-14. If you’re attending, be sure to stop by the Microsoft Flight Simulator booth for a chance to qualify for the tournament and experience the Red Bull Air Race challenge in virtual reality.
