In the city that gave the world its favourite bar snack, a new chapter of culinary history was written this week. On December 20, 2025, Buffalo, New York, officially secured the Guinness World Record for the largest chicken wing eating competition, bringing the prestigious title back to its spiritual home. The Buffalo Convention Center was transformed into a high-energy “wing lover’s paradise” as 499 participants gathered to take down trays of spicy poultry. The event comfortably shattered the previous record of 397 participants, which was unexpectedly held by Amazon Web Services since 2018.
While the competition was fierce, the heart of the event was rooted in philanthropy. Organized as part of the Revelas Family Foundation’s annual fundraiser, the gathering raised significant funds and awareness for mental health initiatives. The festivities were led by Drew Cerza, the founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, known affectionately to locals as the “Wing King.”
An official Guinness World Records adjudicator was on-site to verify the numbers and ensure every wing was accounted for.
Total Participants: 499 (New World Record)
Previous Record: 397 (Set in 2018)
Top Performer: George Chiger
Winning Speed: 36 wings in just 5 minutes
“It wasn’t just about the numbers,” one organizer noted. “It was about celebrating Buffalo’s identity and coming together for a vital cause.”
The record-breaking feat serves as a tribute to the dish’s origin. Buffalo wings—deep-fried, unbreaded, and tossed in a signature blend of cayenne pepper and hot sauce—were famously invented at the city’s Anchor Bar in 1964. Over six decades later, that simple combination of crispy chicken, celery sticks, and blue cheese has evolved from a local speciality into a global cultural phenomenon. By securing this world record, Buffalo has reaffirmed its status as the undisputed capital of wing culture.
