National Chicken Wing Day – Jul. 29, 2026

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Every July 29
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National Chicken Wing Day lands every July 29, inviting everyone to indulge in this beloved snack. Whether you prefer them hot, mild, or smothered in unique sauces, it’s the perfect excuse to gather friends and family. Plan a wing-eating contest, try a new recipe, or visit your favorite wing spot for a delicious celebration.

Want to sponsor National Chicken Wing Day? Learn how

Expected National Chicken Wing Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Chicken Wing Day is a prime time for deals. Look for major chains like Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstop, and Hooters to offer discounts on wings, often BOGO deals or free wings with a minimum purchase. Local sports bars and pubs will also roll out special pricing and limited-time flavors. Fast-food giants such as Popeyes, KFC, and Domino’s often join in with app-exclusive offers or combo meals. Even grocery stores like Kroger and Publix might feature sales on raw or pre-cooked wings for home celebrations. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 29 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Chicken Wing Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalChickenWingDay. Film a ‘wing challenge’ or showcase your favorite homemade wing recipe and sauce combinations.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #ChickenWingDay. Share mouth-watering photos or reels of your wing feast, highlighting different flavors and dipping sauces.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalWingDay. Tweet about your favorite wing spot, debate the best sauce, or share a funny wing-related anecdote.

Social Media Tips for National Chicken Wing Day

Individuals

Host a backyard barbecue and make a variety of wing flavors, from classic Buffalo to sweet and spicy. Don't forget the wet wipes!

Creators

Create a 'Wing Crawl' video, reviewing different wing restaurants in your city. Rate them on crispiness, sauce flavor, and overall experience.

Brands

Run a 'Create Your Own Sauce' contest, inviting followers to submit their best wing sauce recipes for a chance to be featured or win a prize.

Top Brands for National Chicken Wing Day

  1. Anchor Bar

    The legendary Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, is credited with inventing the Buffalo chicken wing in 1964. Founded by Frank and Teressa Bellissimo, it remains a pilgrimage site for wing enthusiasts worldwide, serving millions of its original recipe wings annually.

  2. Buffalo Wild Wings

    Founded in 1982 in Columbus, Ohio, Buffalo Wild Wings is a popular casual dining restaurant and sports bar franchise. Known for its wide array of sauces and dry rubs, it has grown to over 1,200 locations across the United States and beyond, becoming a go-to for game day wings.

  3. Wingstop

    Established in 1994 in Garland, Texas, Wingstop is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings. With over 1,700 locations globally, it offers a focused menu of classic and boneless wings, tenders, and sides, emphasizing its distinct flavor profiles.

  4. Hooters

    Founded in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida, Hooters is an American restaurant chain known for its chicken wings and casual atmosphere. While also famous for its waitstaff, Hooters has built a reputation for its diverse menu of wings, available in various sauces and heat levels.

  5. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

    Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Popeyes is a global fried chicken fast-food chain. While celebrated for its fried chicken, Popeyes has expanded its offerings to include popular chicken wings, often released with unique, limited-time flavors that generate significant buzz.

  6. Frank's RedHot

    Frank's RedHot is a brand of hot sauce made with cayenne peppers, first introduced in 1920. It is famously known as the secret ingredient in the original Buffalo wing sauce recipe, making it an indispensable component for authentic homemade wings.

  7. Tyson Foods

    Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, Tyson Foods is one of the world's largest food companies and a leading producer of chicken, beef, and pork. They supply a vast quantity of chicken wings to restaurants and grocery stores, making them a foundational player in the chicken wing industry.

National Chicken Wing Day Hero

Teressa Bellissimo

Teressa Bellissimo, co-owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, is widely credited with inventing the Buffalo chicken wing in 1964. Legend has it that late one night, she improvised a snack for her son and his friends using leftover chicken wings, butter, and hot sauce. Her creation quickly became a local sensation and eventually a global culinary phenomenon, forever changing the way chicken wings are enjoyed.

National Chicken Wing Day timeline

1964
Leftover Wings

Teressa Bellissimo cooks leftover wings in hot sauce at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York.

1977
First Celebration

The first Chicken Wing Day is celebrated in Buffalo.

1990
Enter McDonald's

McDonald's introduces Mighty Wings.

1991
You've Got Competition!

KFC rolls out their Hot Wings a year later.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Chicken Wing Day

Local businesses can tap into National Chicken Wing Day by offering special promotions. Restaurants and bars can create new, limited-time wing flavors or run ‘all-you-can-eat’ specials. Grocery stores could feature discounts on raw wings, sauces, and blue cheese dressing. Even non-food businesses might partner with local eateries for cross-promotions, offering a wing voucher with a purchase. Encourage customers to share their wing experiences on social media using a unique hashtag.

National Chicken Wing Day FAQs

When is National Chicken Wing Day?

National Chicken Wing Day 2026 falls on a Wednesday, July 29. It’s the perfect mid-week treat to break up the routine with some delicious, saucy wings.

How many chicken wings are consumed annually?

Americans consume an estimated 1.45 billion chicken wings during Super Bowl weekend alone, indicating the immense popularity of this snack. The annual consumption across all occasions is significantly higher.

What is the history behind chicken wings?

The chicken wing as we know it originated in Buffalo, New York, at the Anchor Bar in 1964. Co-owner Teressa Bellissimo is credited with frying chicken wings, tossing them in a spicy sauce, and serving them as a late-night snack.

What makes a Buffalo wing 'Buffalo'?

A true Buffalo wing is deep-fried without breading and then coated in a sauce made from a cayenne pepper-based hot sauce, melted butter, and sometimes a dash of vinegar. It’s traditionally served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

National Chicken Wing Day Activities

  1. Find some free wings

    Yes, you read right, free chicken wings. In many locations around the country, bars and restaurants will offer free chicken wings to customers who make some kind of purchase — typically a drink or an entree. Don’t let that deal fly away.

  2. Have a chicken wing party

    Invite your friends to try out their creative side by cooking up a chicken wing dish other than buffalo. Create a list for everyone to fill in so there are no doubles, then chow down as you try an assortment of out-there, oddball, yet still delectable wings.

  3. Enter a contest

    Have you been passing by that bar for years? The one that advertises its annual chicken wing eating competition? Ever thought about joining it? Do it! Maybe you’ll earn yourself a spot on their Wall of Fame, or at the very least, go down in a blaze of glory.

Why We Love National Chicken Wing Day

  1. Chicken is healthy

    While we all know chicken is a great source of lean protein, it’s nice to know that the white meat is also packed with other health benefits. Its high levels of vitamin B can boost immunity and regulate digestion, while it has much lower levels of saturated fats and cholesterols than red meats. Just take it easy on the buffalo sauce — and you’ll be fine.

  2. It’s a classic competition food

    Whether it’s an official competition at a fair or just some friends getting together, these bite-size chicken chunks are perfect for chowing down. Sometimes it’s a matter of handling the high heat of a spicy buffalo sauce, while other times it just means eating the most in a given period. Either way, excitement, and maybe a few stomachaches, will ensue.

  3. The perfect late-night snack

    Bars have had chicken wings on their menus for decades for a reason. There are few things more satisfying than a late night basket. Sweet, spicy, salty, juicy, crunchy — they’ve got it all. And when you only need a snack to tide you over till morning, it’s an easy decision to make.

National Chicken Wing Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 July 29 Wednesday
2027 July 29 Thursday
2028 July 29 Saturday
2029 July 29 Sunday
2030 July 29 Monday