Almería’s biggest burger battle returns as thousands expected to decide Spain’s next champion

Thousands of people are expected to visit Almería’s Champions Burger this week, where local pride is already shaping the competition as visitors decide who deserves to be crowned the city’s favourite burger.

Local rivalry is already heating up Almería’s burger battle

The smell of sizzling burgers filled Parque de la Estación on Thursday, July 2, as The Champions Burger officially opened in Almería, bringing together 17 gourmet burger restaurants from across Spain in a competition where the public decides the winner.

Running until July 12, the travelling festival has become one of Spain’s biggest food events, with visitors trying burgers before voting via a QR code on criteria including flavour, originality, presentation and quality of ingredients. Organisers expect around 100,000 visitors during its stay in Almería.

The move to Parque de la Estación is new for this year’s edition. Councillor for Tourism, Communications and City Promotion Joaquín Pérez de la Blanca said the more central location was chosen “to facilitate public attendance without needing to take the car or public transport”, making the event easier to access for both residents and visitors.

But if the opening night was anything to go by, many visitors have already decided where their loyalty lies. Waiting in line outside Rico Burger, Almería resident Andrés admitted that his vote had little to do with comparing every other burger on offer.  “I came to support Almería,” he told Euro Weekly News with a laugh. “I’ve tried another one already, but it doesn’t matter. Rico Burger has the best burger in the competition, so my vote is staying here.”

His reaction reflects the friendly rivalry that develops each time The Champions Burger visits a new city, with local restaurants hoping home support will help carry them through to the national finals. 

That local pride is shared by the team behind Rico Burger. Manager Sergio Plaza said they arrived with “the excitement of defending the title” after winning last year’s Almería edition and earning the chance to compete once again against some of Spain’s best gourmet burger restaurants.

Visitors come with favourites already in mind

Not everyone arrived ready to discover a new favourite. For Lía Suarez, the decision had already been made before she reached the venue. “I’ve ordered Briocher because I tried it at another Champions Burger and it was the best one I had there,” she told Euro Weekly News while waiting for her order.

Her comments highlight how the travelling championship is building a loyal following, with some visitors returning to revisit burgers they’ve already enjoyed, while others use each stop to discover new competitors.

This year’s Almería edition also introduces “The Big Game”, an American football-inspired theme featuring entertainment, lighting and interactive elements designed to make the event feel as much like a festival as a food market.

More than just finding the best burger

Beyond the burgers themselves, the organisers have clearly designed the venue with the visitor experience in mind. Rows of picnic-style tables and benches are spread throughout the site, giving people plenty of space to sit together, while napkin dispensers are positioned around the venue and dedicated fries stands make it easy to add a side without queueing again. Large boards displaying every competing burger help visitors decide where to eat next, while dessert stalls offer a sweet finish once the voting is done.

With gourmet burgers now commanding premium prices, many visitors carefully choose just one or two to try before casting their vote, making the choice extremely difficult between 17 stands. 

Free to enter, The Champions Burger has grown into one of Europe’s largest travelling gourmet burger festivals, touring dozens of cities across Spain each year. By the time the grills cool in Almería after this year’s edition, one burger will leave with the city’s backing, and be one step closer to being crowned Spain’s champion.