Watch the video! | Everything You Need to Know About Pizza Expo 2026!
International Pizza Expo – happening March 24-26 at the Las Vegas Convention Center — is around the corner. We just dropped our highly anticipated Pizza Expo Update Show video, and our team is practically buzzing with excitement about what’s hitting the show floor this year. Senior Creative Director Josh Keown, Pizza Today Editor in Chief Denise Greer and Senior Editor Kate Lavin are here to get you ready for the biggest event the pizza business.
For 2026, we are rolling out some massive surprises that you absolutely have to see to believe. From the world’s best gelato to brand new culinary competitions and a secret-menu education village, this year’s Expo is going to blow your mind. Let’s break down exactly what you need to prepare for before you touch down in Vegas.
Bringing the World’s Best Together Under One Roof
Just when you thought the show floor couldn’t possibly get any tastier, we went ahead and added something truly spectacular to the lineup.
The Gelato Festival World Masters Grand Finale
We are officially hosting the Gelato Festival World Masters Grand Finale! This event only happens once every four years. Think of it as the Olympics of dessert. After hundreds of intense qualifying rounds across the globe, the absolute best gelato makers are bringing their craft to our house. That means you get to experience the world’s best pizza and the world’s best gelato in one single building.
Fresh Competitions to Watch
This year, we added three exciting new categories to the International Pizza Challenge: the Italian Classica, the Bacio Legacy, and the Non-Traditional and Dietary Free competitions. This brings our total to an incredible 12 live competitions! You are going to see some wild, innovative pies being tossed, baked and judged by the legends of our industry.
Education That Pays for Itself
Many success stories over the past few years have come from attendees who completely turned their businesses around after sitting in on our education program. You don’t get what you want, you get what you negotiate and learn. This year, we are coming in hot with 13 workshops, 12 live demos, and 40 in-depth education sessions.
Killer Keynotes You Cannot Miss
First up, we have Michelin-starred chef Wylie Dufresne. Get ready to geek out. He makes molecular gastronomy accessible, fun, and totally fascinating.
Next, we are bringing in Hengam and Matthew Stanfield from Matanga’s Pizza in San Antonio, Texas. They won our Pizzeria of the Year last year, and they are absolute geniuses. Pizza Today saw their operation in person, and their knowledge of operational efficiency is off the charts. If you only do one thing this week, catch their keynote. They will give you real, actionable ideas to skyrocket your business operations.
Paid Workshops and Seminars
If you can get to Vegas early on Sunday or Monday, you absolutely must sign up for the paid workshops. These intensive, four-hour sessions are literally money in your pocket. Industry veterans cover everything from kitchen efficiencies to opening a brand-new restaurant and fixing those sneaky profit holes that drain your bank account. Do not wait until you arrive in Vegas to sign up. Go back into your registration right now and secure your spot, because the live demo sessions during show floor hours fill up lightning fast!
Networking, Parties, and the Pizza Today Village
If there is one thing this Expo is known for, it is the unmatched camaraderie of the pizza community. We curated some incredible events to help you connect, share war stories, and build lifelong friendships with folks who understand exactly what you go through every Friday night.
Introducing the Pizza Today Village
Our team is hard at work on a first-time activation called the Pizza Today Village. This place has absolutely everything. We are setting up a merch station with limited-edition Pizza Expo t-shirts, a live recording space for the Hot Slice podcast, and a classroom area for special demos. Here is the kicker: the topics and teachers for these demos are strictly on a “secret menu.” We won’t announce them until the morning of, so you have to show up to see what all the fuss is about.
Beer and Bull and Dough Acrobatics
Beer and Bull is back, and we are calling it Beer and Bull 2.0! Pizza Man Dan is emceeing this year, and we will be facilitating lively roundtable discussions packed with highly topical information straight from the pages of Pizza Today.
If you arrive early, hit up the Happy Hour networking session on Monday night in room W 231 for some food, drinks, and great conversations.
And of course, you absolutely cannot miss the World Pizza Game Finals and Block Party on Wednesday night. The dough acrobatics are incredibly intense, so grab a seat early and enjoy the show!
5 Insider Tips for Conquering Pizza Expo 2026
Navigating a massive convention in Las Vegas can be overwhelming. Keep these five essential tips in your back pocket to ensure you crush it this week.
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Download the Pizza Expo App Early: Do this right now! Do not trust the download speeds at the airport or on the plane. The app is your exclusive show guide. You can map out exhibitor booths, build your itinerary, and connect with other attendees. It is a total game-changer.
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Bring Your Entire Team: I cannot stress this enough. Bringing your crew allows you to divide and conquer the seminars. Plus, the inspiration and energy your team will soak up is absolutely palpable.
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Eat the Competition Pizza: With 12 competitions happening, there is an unbelievable amount of world-class food being baked. Head to the International Pizza Challenge area for a limited quantity of competition slices.
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Get Your Badge on Sunday or Monday: Nobody wants to stand in a line on Tuesday morning. Pick up your badge as early as possible so you can stroll right in when the doors open.
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Book Your Dinner Reservations Now: Las Vegas is going to be jam-packed. Between Spring Break and the NCAA Tournament, the city will be buzzing. Lock in your dinner and event reservations immediately so your team isn’t left wandering the Strip looking for a table.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pizza Expo 2026
When and where is the event taking place?
The 2026 International Pizza Expo takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center! The exhibit hall is open from March 24 through March 26, while the intensive pre-show paid workshops kick off early on March 22.
Where can I find real-time competition results?
Bookmark the news hub at PizzaToday.com. We will be updating the hub with live competition results, networking tips, and full recaps as the action happens on the show floor.
How do I get featured on the Hot Slice podcast?
Head straight over to the spectacular new Pizza Today Village on the show floor. Our team will be hanging out in our dedicated recording space interviewing attendees and exhibitors all week long!
Ready for the Ultimate Pizza Week?
March is going to be the absolute highlight of our year, and we want you right there experiencing it with us. If you want even more details, networking tips, and live competition updates, be sure to bookmark the news hub at PizzaToday.com.
Want to hear all the excitement straight from the source? Make sure you watch the full Pizza Expo Update Show video! Hit the play button on the video to catch all the behind-the-scenes banter and get yourself hyped for the ultimate week in Las Vegas. We cannot wait to see you there!
REGISTER TO ATTEND PIZZA EXPO TODAY!!!
Stay up to date on the latest Pizza Expo 2026 news, visit Pizza Expo 2026: Latest News from the World’s Largest Pizza Show hub page.