New York BagelFest Sets 2026 Citi Field Lineup

New York BagelFest, presented by King Arthur Baking Company, has announced more than 25 bagel shops for its November 15, 2026 gathering at Citi Field. The event will bring exhibitors from 10 states and five countries together for two tasting sessions, with unlimited tastings, competitions, demonstrations, and family programming on the schedule. Early Bird tickets, starting at $49, go on sale September 8, while general tickets start at $69. The festival’s carefully selected field puts established New York institutions alongside competitors from across the United States, Canada, Ireland, Spain, and India.

A Competitive International Field

The 2026 exhibitor lineup includes returning award winners and new entrants. Dallas’ Starship Bagel, a Best Bagel champion in 2023 and 2025, returns alongside 2025 BagelFest West champions Hey Bagel of Seattle and Rise Bagels of Irvine, California.

New York participants include Utopia Bagels, the 2024 Best Bagel champion; Ess-a-Bagel; Bagel Market; Bagizza; and Curley’s Bagels. International competitors include Montreal’s St-Viateur Bagel, Madrid’s Si Si Bagels, and Belfast’s Bodega Bagels.

Sam Silverman, Founder of BagelFest, said:

“With the World Cup of soccer over, it's time to turn our sights towards the bagel world's equivalent: the New York BagelFest. This was the most competitive process in our history, with less than 9% of applicants selected to compete. And with BagelFest West 2026 champions entering the fray, the stage is set for the fiercest battle and most deserving champions we've ever seen.”

Tastings And Competition

Guests will be able to sample bagels, schmears, sandwiches, and festival-only creations while meeting bakers, founders, and artisans. The program also includes live demonstrations, educational programming, interactive exhibits, merchandise, and a Kids’ Zone with activities and games.

Competition categories include Best Bagel, Schmear of the Year, Most Creative, Best Showmanship, and Best Bialy. Attendees will vote in the People’s Choice, Best of the Boroughs, Best Beyond the Boroughs, Best International, and Rising Star categories, while the World Bagel Rolling Championship will return as part of the day.

Cristian Thomas, Owner of SiSi Bagels, said:

“We're incredibly excited to return to New York BagelFest after placing third in the Best International Bagel category in 2025. Coming all the way from Madrid to share new creations with the New York bagel community is incredibly special for us. Last year was unforgettable, and this year we're coming back even more ambitious, creative and ready to make it crazy!”

Sponsors And Food Partners

King Arthur Baking Company will serve as presenting sponsor and official flour partner. All Bake Technologies joins as gold sponsor and official equipment sponsor, while Manischewitz is the silver sponsor and official kosher food partner.

The event’s official partners also include Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Malt Products, Bettani Farms, noissue, Echelon Payment Solutions Group, and thinkDesign Architecture. Moonrise Bagels will return with VIP Bites exclusively for the BagelFest press room.

Jeff Yankelow, Director of Bakery and Food Services Sales at King Arthur, said:

“New York Bagelfest is the ultimate celebration of bagel innovation and craftsmanship—widely recognized as the premier bagel showcase in the country and, arguably, the world. Each year, the competition reaches new heights as the industry's most talented bagel makers raise the bar with creativity, quality, and passion. Once again, we are proud to be the presenting sponsor of this extraordinary event in 2026 and can't wait to see the incredible creations, bold flavors, and groundbreaking concepts that bagel shops will unveil this year,” he continues.

A Wider Food Community

Bagel-adjacent exhibitors will broaden the festival floor with coffee, smoked fish, spreads, beverages, baked goods, merchandise, and food industry resources. Participants include Brooklyn businesses Variety Coffee, Acme Smoked Fish, Brooklyn Seltzer Boys, and Hot Bread Kitchen, along with companies from New Jersey, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.

Tickets and further event details are available through the festival’s website.

A Day For Bagel Culture

With tastings, competitions, exhibitors, and programming across two sessions, New York BagelFest will bring bagel makers and visitors together at Citi Field for a full day dedicated to the category. The November event gives participating bakeries a stage alongside food and beverage businesses connected to the bagel experience.