365 Things to Do in Memphis #109: Put a Wing On It at the Hot Wing Festival
THIS WEEKEND! A festival dedicated to Memphis's second favorite food—hot wings.
THIS WEEKEND! A festival dedicated to Memphis's second favorite food—hot wings.
The World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival, formerly known as the Southern Hot Wing Festival is part cooking competition part celebration of Memphis as the hot wing capital of the South.


If you've never been to the annual event, here’s what you need to know:
When is the World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival?
October 22, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where is World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival?
The fest is at Tiger Lane at the Liberty Bowl in midtown.
How much are hot wing fest tickets in Memphis?
$15 + fees online in advance or $20 at the gate. Military and veterans get in free. Kids 12 and under get in free. That includes entry only. Bring $1 dollar bills for team wing sample donations and additional money for other food and drinks.
The competition:
It's fierce! More than 80 teams from Memphis, the South, and countries including Canada, Costa Rica, and South Africa all gather in Memphis. They'll fire up hot wings and a huge array of sauces and flavors for the judges to compete for the coveted title of Hot Wing World Champion.
The cause:
All proceeds from the event go to Ronald McDonald House, which gives families a place to stay while their child is getting treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Organizers say that the event has raised more than $300,000 over the years.
How to Eat The Wings At World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival
If you ask nicely and bring some ones, you can taste wings for a $1-$3 per wing donation in the team's bucket, which goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House. Wings will not be officially for sale from competition tents.
In short, give teams a buck or two, get a wing. Wings come out in batches so be aware that that exact moment you walk up to a team may not be the exact moment they have a batch ready. Just go with the flow, walk around, chat with people, and have fun.
How do you sign up to compete, be a vendor, or a volunteer?
Volunteer: Volunteers are needed to make the day a success! Read all the details and apply here.
Teams: The first 100 teams are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Team applications closed September 15.
Vendors: Vendors spots are accepted by application; this year's vendor applications are closed.
Do bring:
Cash, sunscreen, kids that you will supervise.
Don't bring:
Pets, coolers, or outside food or drinks. Leave the dogs at home
Music: There is live music at multiple stages!
For more info: worldwingfest.com
World Championship Hot Wing Contest & Festival schedule
- 11 a.m. - Memphis Second Line Jazz Band leads a flock of chickens in a parade down Tiger Lane to the Main Stage}
- 1 p.m. - Earl The Pearl
- 2:30 p.m. - Play Some Skynyrd
- 3 p.m. Hot Wing Festival Parade
- 3:30 p.m. Hot Wing Eating Competition
- 4:15 p.m. Nettie Parr and the Peoples
- 5 p.m. Drew Davis (comedian)
- 5:15 p.m. Awards
- 6 p.m. Aquanet
check out the Memphis Hot Wing Trail

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