The 2026 Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Championship at Big Ten Fan Fest

Location: Indianapolis, IN
Date: 12-05-2026

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The Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Championship Returns December 5th!

The wings are back, the sauce is flowing, and the fans will be out in force! Major League Eating is proud to announce the return of the Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Championship, coming to Big Ten Fan Fest on Saturday, December 5th at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The Food: Hermanaki Wings Take Flight
There are wings. And then there are Ale Emporium’s legendary Hermanaki Wings. Crispy, juicy and coated in that unmistakable sweet, tangy and savory Hermanaki sauce, these wings pack the kind of flavor that makes you want another bite — even when you probably shouldn’t. For the world’s top competitive eaters, they’re the perfect combination of delicious and daunting. Over ten minutes, the competitors will face an enormous mountain of wings and one simple question: How many can you eat?

A World Record to Chase
Last year’s championship delivered an unforgettable performance when Joey Chestnut devoured 242 Hermanaki Wings in 10 minutes, setting a new world record for the discipline and establishing a staggering benchmark for anyone brave enough to challenge it. The question heading into December 5th is simple: Can anyone eat more? Can Joey break his own record?

Big Ten Energy. Big-Time Appetites.
The Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Championship brings together two things Indianapolis does exceptionally well: major sporting events and legendary food. As part of Big Ten Fan Fest, the championship will put some of the biggest names in competitive eating in front of a crowd of passionate sports fans from across the country. With ten minutes on the clock and thousands of wings on the line, the atmosphere promises to be every bit as intense as the competition.

And This Year, The Part Will be Bigger Than Ever
Come for the Big Ten Fan Fest Festivities. Stay for the wings. Cheer on your favorite competitive eater. And maybe witness a new world record being made.

You just need to show up hungry for history.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 5th, and make your way to the Indiana Convention Center for the Ale Emporium Hermanaki Wing Eating Championship at Big Ten Fan Fest.

The world record is 242. The wings will be waiting.

$3,000 TOTAL PRIZE PURSE!
1st — $1,500
2nd — $750
3rd — $400
4th — $200
5th — $100
6th — $50

This contest will take place at 3:00pm EST on Saturday, December 5th, 2026, at Big Ten Fan Fest in the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis!

About Ale Emporium Ale Emporium was established in Indianapolis in 1982 by Marc and John Luros and later joined by partners Shannon and Scott Baun. This family-owned business has been recognized by countless organizations and entities for its world famous Hermanaki wings and honest pizza. They have become one of the Midwest's best sports bars for great food, music, sports and a wide variety of premium beer choices. What started out as one location in Castleton has expanded throughout greater Indianapolis with locations in Fishers, Greenwood and Avon.

Check out Ale Emporium at ale-emporium.com and follow them on Facebook, X and Instagram

About Indiana Sports Corp Founded in 1979 as the nation’s first sports commission, Indiana Sports Corp is a not-for-profit organization focused on bringing premier sporting events to Indiana to drive economic vitality, facilitate a vibrant community with civic pride and garner positive media attention. Because of this, Indiana Sports Corp is able to provide positive, sports-related opportunities for youth in the community. For more information, please visit IndianaSportsCorp.org and follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram

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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.