Alex Honnold to Attempt Historic Taipei 101 Free Solo Climb in Live Netflix Event
Extreme sports enthusiasts are preparing for a breathtaking spectacle as renowned rock climber Alex Honnold prepares to undertake what he describes as "the biggest urban free solo ever". The American climber, who achieved global fame through the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, will attempt to scale the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without ropes or safety equipment in a live broadcast event on Netflix.
When and Where to Watch the Historic Climb
The extraordinary challenge, officially titled Skyscraper Live, is scheduled for Saturday, 24 January 2026 at 9am local time in Taipei. For viewers in the United Kingdom, this translates to 1am GMT on the same date. Netflix will provide comprehensive live coverage of the event, which is expected to last between two and four hours, though predictions suggest Honnold might complete the ascent in approximately 75 minutes.
The streaming platform has confirmed it will implement a 10-second broadcast delay and include appropriate viewer-discretion advisories throughout the coverage. While a small live audience will witness the event in person at the Taipei location, the majority of viewers worldwide will experience the climb through Netflix's live stream, accompanied by expert commentary and analysis from an on-air panel.
The Monumental Challenge of Taipei 101
Standing at an impressive 1,667 feet tall, Taipei 101 represents one of the world's most formidable urban climbing challenges. Originally constructed in 2004, the skyscraper held the title of world's tallest building until 2009 and remains Taiwan's tallest structure. Its distinctive design features stacked segments with balconies appearing every eight floors, creating what Honnold describes as a "bamboo box" configuration that offers occasional resting points during the ascent.
Honnold has emphasized that this urban climb presents different challenges compared to his famous El Capitan ascent. "The challenge is the overall physicality," he explained. "I don't know how it's going to feel." While acknowledging the inherent dangers of free solo climbing, where any mistake could prove fatal, Honnold has suggested that Taipei 101's architecture might offer some comparative safety advantages over natural rock formations due to its numerous balconies and predictable geometry.
Historical Context and Expert Predictions
This attempt marks a significant milestone in urban climbing history. The building was previously scaled in 2004 by French climber Alain Robert, known as the "French Spiderman," though he utilized ropes and required approximately four hours to complete the ascent. Robert has expressed confidence in Honnold's abilities, stating: "I'm sure he'll do it very easily."
Honnold himself has highlighted the historical significance of his attempt, noting that he will be the first climber to free solo Taipei 101. The climbing community and sports enthusiasts are closely monitoring predictions on cryptocurrency-based market Polymarket, where current odds favor a successful completion within a relatively swift timeframe.
Alex Honnold's Climbing Legacy
Born in Sacramento, California in 1985, Alex Honnold has established himself as one of the world's most accomplished and daring rock climbers. His 2017 free solo ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park—a 3,000-foot granite monolith climbed without any safety equipment—catapulted him to international recognition and formed the basis of the acclaimed documentary Free Solo.
With three decades of climbing experience, Honnold continues to push the boundaries of what is considered possible in extreme sports. His Taipei 101 attempt represents not only a personal challenge but also a landmark moment in the evolution of urban climbing as a spectator sport, bringing unprecedented mainstream attention to the discipline through Netflix's global platform.
As anticipation builds for tonight's broadcast, viewers around the world await what promises to be a defining moment in climbing history—a testament to human endurance, skill, and the relentless pursuit of extraordinary achievement.
