The Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship

Location: Lewisville, TX
Date: 09-27-2025

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The Heat Is On: The 2025 Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship Returns!

Get ready, Lewisville—the steam is rising, and so is the competition. Major League Eating is proud to once again bring the spice and spectacle of The Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship to the heart of the Lewisville Western Days Festival, happening Saturday, September 27, 2025!

Tamales. Ten Minutes. Total Mayhem.
The world’s top-ranked eaters will gather to devour mountains of mouthwatering Padrino tamales in a blistering 10-minute battle for glory. Last year, Geoff Esper took home his record 5th title, by devouring an astonishing 88 tamales. But the rest of the pack is nipping at his heals . Will Esper extend his legacy—or will a new tamale titan rise?

A Fierce Tradition in the Heart of Texas
Hosted amid the music, culture, and charm of the Lewisville Western Days Festival, this championship has become a beloved centerpiece of the weekend. With the continued support of the City of Lewisville and the unbeatable flavor of Padrino Foods, the 2025 showdown promises to be bigger, bolder, and tastier than ever.

Join the Action—On Stage or in the Stands
Think you’ve got what it takes to challenge the best? Sign up now to compete and etch your name into eating history. Prefer to cheer from the sidelines? Mark your calendar and bring your appetite for excitement—it’s a can't-miss event for fans, foodies, and festivalgoers alike.

The Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship—where legends are made, one tamale at a time.

$4,500 TOTAL PRIZE PURSE!
1st: $1,750
2nd: $1,000
3rd: $750
4th: $500
5th: $350
6th: $150

The contest will take place at 1:00PM CT on Saturday, September 27th, 2025, at City Hall Stage at the Lewisville Western Days Festival, 151 W Church Street, Lewisville, TX 75057!

About City of Lewisville
The Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship* is a highlight of the annual Western Days Festival in historic Old Town Lewisville, TX. The Lewisville Department of Community Engagement organize this MLE-sanctioned competition. Padrino Foods is the official provider of contest tamales at the World Tamale Eating Championship. Past champions of this event include Derek Hendrickson, Geoffrey Esper, Darron Breeden, Adrian "The Rabbit" Morgan, Tim “Eater X” Janus, Sonya Thomas, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo. Other festival events include live music, an art exhibit, children’s activities and more.

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*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.