League of Fire Chilli Eating Contest

For the first time ever, Tauranga will host the 2026 New Zealand National Chilli Eating Challenge on Wharf Street. Top competitors, including local chilli legend Shannon Leigh and 2025 NZ champion Jesse Painter, will face escalating heat in a fiery battle for the national champion title. Come along to watch the action, browse stalls from local and national hot sauce makers, and enjoy restaurants and bars serving their own spicy specials. Think you can take the heat? Sign up to compete against the region’s fiercest chilli eaters.

The event runs from 12pm to 6pm, with the chilli-eating competition kicking off at 3pm.

For the first time ever, Tauranga will host the 2026 New Zealand National Chilli Eating Challenge on Wharf Street. Top competitors, including local chilli legend Shannon Leigh and 2025 NZ champion Jesse Painter, will face escalating heat in a fiery battle for the national champion title. Come along to watch the action, browse stalls from local and national hot sauce makers, and enjoy restaurants and bars serving their own spicy specials. Think you can take the heat? Sign up to compete against the region’s fiercest chilli eaters.

The event runs from 12pm to 6pm, with the chilli-eating competition kicking off at 3pm.

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At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga.

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