Header Image Photo Credit: Spencer Dixon

For 33 years, the Wagonmasters Chili Cookoff has been serving up spice, smoke and bragging rights in the Heart of the Country. What started as a way for the Wichita Wagonmasters — a crew of civic-minded locals — to promote the good life has grown into a full-blown flavor showdown.

Each fall, chili teams from Kansas and beyond roll in, spoons at the ready, to battle for the title of best chili in the Midwest. And the crowd? They show up hungry. The 2025 cookoff is expected to draw more than 10,000 chili lovers to Naftzger Park (Douglas & St. Francis) on Saturday, Sept. 27.

It’s smoky. It’s spicy. It’s legendary. And yes, people really do count down the days until chili season!

Crowds gather on Douglas Ave. in front of Naftzger Park to take part in the annual Wagonmasters Downtown Chili CookoffPhoto Credit: Spencer Dixon

Enjoy all the fun and flavor with chili tasting kits for $5. These kits give attendees access to sample a cup of chili from all the booths at the event. Proceeds go to fund the Wagonmasters' Good Life Grants program, which helps a variety of local nonprofits and charities. 

Chili tasting is open to the public starting at noon to give attendees ample time to visit the dozens of booths at the cookoff. Tickets can be purchased at the cook-off starting at 11 a.m.

A man serves a woman chili during the Wagonmasters Downtown Chili CookoffPhoto Credit: Spencer Dixon

The categories of the cook-off offer a variety of chili:

  • No-Beans About It: No bean chili
  • Anything Goes: Anything the competing team wants to put in their chili
  • Chili Verde: Any kind of meat or combination of meats cooked with green chili peppers-no beans or pasta allowed
  • Red Chili: Any kind of meat or combination of meats cooked with red chili peppers-no beans or pasta allowed
  • Chili for Charity: Nonprofits make chili to share their message and raise money for their organization  
  • Chili for Restaurants: Local restaurants showcase their menu’s chili
  • Participants can also enter salsa

Men compete in the chili-eating contest at the Wagonmasters Downtown Chili CookoffPhoto Credit: Spencer Dixon

The cook-off not only features mouthwatering chili, but other exciting events such as:

  • Live music featuring rock band Jet City all day long
  • Pepper Eating Contest (starts in front of the main stage beginning at 2:45 p.m.)
  • Games and cash prizes
  • 50/50 Raffle
  • Kids zone with bounce houses, activities and more

The high spirit of the chili cook-off will leave you wanting more. Don’t let the fun end there!

Nortons Brewing Co Beer Garden and Patio

Enjoy more local flavors with breweries in the area:

Clothing is hung on racks at Dead Center Vintage in Wichita

Stop in to explore local shopping & lifestyle businesses:

Find a place to stay with this guide. And download our visitors guide for more ideas and inspiration for your visit to Wichita.