INDIANAPOLIS, IN – (April 10, 2026) – Food Sport fans, mark your calendars and bring your appetites, the World Food Championships (WFC) has officially launched pre-sale discounted tickets for two new tasting events this October at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.
Back and bigger than ever, WFC2026 will offer attendees an exclusive chance to taste the action inside Kitchen Arena with two unique, fan-favorite experiences:
Burger Battle — Thursday, October 15
Sample your way through 40 burger creations crafted by award-winning chefs and competition teams. Guests will receive five voting tokens to help crown the People’s Choice Burger Champion during the special event period with each Burger Battle ticket including full-day General Admission to all WFC action on October 15.
Dessert Smash — Friday, October 16
Indulge your sweet side with bite-size desserts from 40 talented competitors, then cast your five voting tokens to determine the People’s Choice Dessert Champion. Dessert Smash tickets also provide full-day General Admission to WFC programming on October 16.
With more chefs, more creativity, and more opportunities for fans to taste championship-level dishes, this year’s event promises to deliver an unforgettable food experience.
“We’re thrilled to open up Kitchen Arena to the public through these tasting events,” said Mike McCloud, Founder & CEO of the World Food Championships. “There’s nothing quite like giving fans the chance to experience the same flavors, innovation, and culinary excitement that our competitors bring to the world stage. WFC2026 is shaping up to be bigger, bolder, and sweeter than ever.”
Pre-sale discounted tickets are available for a limited time; fans are encouraged to secure their spots early for these highly anticipated events. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.indianastatefairgrounds.com/p/events/world-food-championships.
The 2026 World Food Championships will return to Indianapolis, Indiana at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, this October 15-18. Competitors, partners, and fans of Food Sport can stay up to date on all things related to the World Food Championships by visiting worldfoodchampionships.com or by following World Food Championships on Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships), X (@WorldFoodChamp), and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).
About World Food Championships
The World Food Championships (WFC), recognized by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards as a “Best City Food Festival”, is the premier food sport competition globally. This multi-day, live culinary event showcases some of the world’s best cooks competing for food, fame, and fortune across multiple categories. Each year, thousands of teams vie for a coveted Golden Ticket at official qualifiers to earn their spot at WFC. Since its debut in 2012, the event has attracted participants from nearly 40 countries and every state in the U.S. The 2026 World Food Championships will take place October 15-18 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion, located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in Indianapolis. For more information, visit WorldFoodChampionships.com.