La Tomatina festival in Buñol draws 22,000 participants

The 79th annual La Tomatina festival took place on August 26, 2026, in Buñol, Spain, drawing approximately 22,000 participants. During the hour-long event, an estimated 150,000 kilograms of overripe tomatoes were used in a massive food fight. The tomatoes were specifically sourced from Don Benito in Badajoz to ensure they were soft enough to minimize injury risk.

The festival has seen growing international interest, with roughly 40% of recent participants being foreign tourists. There has been a notable increase in visitors from India, a trend linked to the 2011 Bollywood film ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’. This year, the organizers also introduced the ‘+ ACCESSIBLE’ plan, which includes increased support and specific measures to ensure participation for people with disabilities.

While the event is a major cultural attraction, it faced minor security incidents, including the use of pepper spray by police to disperse a crowd and four individuals requiring medical attention for eye irritation caused by pepper spray. The Diputación de Valencia has confirmed continued financial support for the festival, highlighting its importance as a symbol of the province.