Continuing a Popular Picklesburgh Tradition, This Year’s Dillcathlon Games Invites the Best and the Briniest to Compete for Gherkin Glory!
Pittsburgh, PA – The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) has announced the online registration date for this year’s Dillcathlon Games at Picklesburgh, (Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 19). This year’s festival footprint will be the biggest one yet, encompassing two of Pittsburgh’s iconic Sister Bridges, Market Square, Arts Landing and PPG Plaza, where the games will be held. Presented by Wingstop, the games kick off Thursday, July 16, and will continue through Sunday’s championship rounds. Registration for the 2026 Picklesburgh ‘Dillcathlon’ will open at 10 AM on Monday, June 22.
“We’re always looking for new ways to bring bold, craveable flavor experiences to our fans, and Picklesburgh is the perfect stage to showcase that passion,” said Kalpesh Patel, Wingstop Franchisee and CEO of OM Group. “As a proud operator of Wingstop restaurants throughout the Pittsburgh region, we’re excited to deepen our connection with this vibrant community and celebrate one of its most beloved annual traditions. Picklesburgh gives us the opportunity to highlight Wingstop’s broader flavor story while unveiling something truly special, a Picklesburgh-exclusive Dill Pickle flavor created just for this event. We can’t wait for festivalgoers to experience this unique twist on flavor and see firsthand why Wingstop continues to be the flavor destination of choice.”
Hosted by the YaJagoff! Podcast, the Dillcathlon Games will see the return of the fan-favorite Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, a staple of the festival over the past decade, along with Pickle Eating and Bobbing for Pickles, offering dare dill-vils three brine-tingling opportunities for gherkin greatness.
“Emceeing the Dillcathlon at Picklesburgh has been the dill of a yinzer’s lifetime,” said Rachael Rennebeck and John Chamberlin of YaJagoff! Media. “From pickle juice drinking, eating, and bobbing, these contests have become one of the most anticipated moments of the festival, and we’re proud to help make this uniquely Pittsburgh tradition truly a big dill. This year marks our seventh opportunity as hosts, and we are tickled green to make it ‘brine’—we mean ‘shine’ — once again.”
REGISTRATION FOR ALL THREE EVENT CATEGORIES OPENS AT 10AM ON MONDAY, JUNE 22, AT PICKLESBURGH.COM/GAMES
Contestants will compete during a preview round on Thursday, July 16, and preliminary heats on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, culminating in championships on Sunday, July 19. The winning champion of each event will relish their victory with $500 in grand prize money, a trophy, and—most importantly—the coveted title of Duke of Drinking, Earl of Eating, or Baron of Bobbing.
- Pickle Juice Drinking: A staple of Picklesburgh, the Pittsburgh Pickle Company is sponsoring this year’s brine-thirsty contest of speed and fermented fortitude. Whoever can chug a quart (32 fl oz.) of their signature Picklexir the fastest will be deemed the winner of their round and vie for the title of Duke of Drinking in the championship on Sunday.
- Pickle Eating Contest: Sponsored by Clean Express Auto wash, only stomachs of steel will prevail in this contest category! Whoever eats the most pickles by weight in four minutes will win their round and earn a spot in the final where the Earl of Eating will be crowned.
- Bobbing for Pickles: Sponsored by Pella, no hands are allowed in this pickled take on the peculiar party pastime. Whoever can retrieve the most pickles by weight in 90 seconds using only their mouth will win the round and face-off in the finals to become Picklesburgh’s Baron of Bobbing!
Rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements apply. Contestants must be 18 or older and should review all rules and specific guidelines for each event, which will be listed on the Picklesburgh website – www.Picklesburgh.com/games
For more information, visit Picklesburgh.com
About Picklesburgh: Launched in 2015, Picklesburgh has emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s premier events, and has been recognized by USA Today as #1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America four times and featured as a ‘Signature Event’ by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tourism Office. Since then, it continues to draw growing attention from pickles fans around the nation and the world. www.picklesburgh.com
About the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership: Formed by Downtown businesses, professionals, civic organizations, foundations, and residents, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a non-profit community development organization that leads Downtown’s transformation with innovative programs that drive growth, vibrancy, and engagement. For more information, visit www.DowntownPittsburgh.com and follow us on social (@downtownpitt).