Big Game burger battles and new viral cheesecakes. The Champions Burger returns to Mijas

American football-style spectacle, premium wacky burgers and some of Spain’s most talked-about cheesecakes are bringing their A game as they head back to Mijas this summer.

New big game theme and a sweet addition

From Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, September 6, The Champions Burger will return to the Las Lagunas Fairground with its famous food trucks and a new ‘The Big Game’ theme inspired by American football. Entry will be free, with a whopping 17 burger restaurants competing to be crowned the public’s favourite on the road to finding Spain’s “Best Burger”.

Last year’s event was a huge success in Mijas, and organisers are returning with a completely renewed set up. This year’s juicy edition will combine the burger competition with a sporting vibe, premium ingredients and a brand new sweet dessert attraction: The Champions Cheesecake.

Red, white and blue will explode over the fairground, with immersive lighting, entrance tunnels, interactive activities and scenery designed to recreate the excitement of a major American football match. Visitors will move between the food trucks while chefs compete through technique and creativity, each hoping to earn a place on the Mijas podium and eventually challenge for the national title.

Jose Morales, co-founder of The Champions Burger, said the project has been transforming burger culture in Spain since 2018.

“Since 2018 we have revolutionised burger culture in Spain. We were the first to turn it into a national championship, and today we remain the official competition: gastronomy, innovation and entertainment, all in one.”

Dak Burger returns to represent its home turf

Local favourite Dak Burger will return once again to represent Mijas after winning over the local crowd at last year’s event. Malaga will have further representation through Bsmash, Gottan and Burger Chao, with each bringing its own delicious and aventurous combinations to the competition.

Cordoba restaurant Nolito’s will also bring its famous “Diamante Azul” burger to the table. The dazzling bright creation helped the restaurant achieve a triple podium finish during the 2025 championship and has become one of the event’s best-known burgers.

Premium beef will be at the heart of the competition, with certified-origin cuts cooked to order on the grill. Creative recipes will push burgers well beyond traditional combinations, featuring pretzel-style brioche or colourful artisan buns, glazes and gratinated toppings, macaroni cheese croquettes, wood-smoked ingredients, savoury jams, crunchy toppings and aromatic cheeses.

Sides and chicken fans won’t be left out as Ybarra will have a food truck serving crispy chips, and Cheeck’s will cater for fried-chicken fans.

Cheesecake joins the party

A major new attraction for the event is the arrival of the The Champions Cheesecake, a dedicated concept bringing together five leading pastry makers and their highly original takes on the classic cheesecake.
Visitors can tickle their tastebuds with unusual flavours and textures. Visitors can expect national and international influences, including smoked and matured cheeses, Filipinos, Dubai pistachio cream, milk or hazelnut flavours, Nesquik sprinkles and the famous Osito Lulu biscuit. Several of these creations have swept across social media, giving Mijas a dessert attraction that could prove just as tempting as the burgers.

Let the diners decide

Visitors simply scan the QR code on their purchase ticket after tasting a burger and rate it for its bread, meat, combination of ingredients, presentation and originality. Three burgers will make the Mijas podium, results from the tour will then determine which creation ultimately takes the national “Best Burger in Spain” title.

The 2026 event is part of The Champions Burger’s seventh edition, which features three themed routes, The Big Game, California Dreaming and All Star. Mijas is part of The Big Game route rather than the separate All Star concept.

Since launching in 2018, The Champions Burger has grown into a major food entertainment event. Organisers say that in 2025 the tour visited 57 cities, attracted more than eight million attendees and involved 300 burger restaurants, while also making its international debut in Paris and Porto. This year, the tour continues across Spain, France and Portugal

When can I sink my teeth into this event.

Mijas will host the festival at the Las Lagunas Fairground from Thursday, August 20 to Sunday, September 6. Doors open at 7pm on August 20 with normal opening hours are from 6pm to midnight from Monday to Thursday and midday to midnight from Friday to Sunday. Entry is free.

So get in the Americana spirit, bring your appetite, empty stomachs and join the feast and fun.