Coachella Attendees Claim $25 Pizza Slices Made Them Seriously Ill

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Attendees of the 2026 Coachella music festival in Indio, California are claiming that $25 pizza slices from the Spicy Pie vendor made them seriously ill, with many reporting symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. Viral videos and social media posts have documented the alleged food poisoning incident, which some have dubbed "Pukechella." Coachella organizers have not yet confirmed any foodborne illness outbreak related to the vendor.

Why it matters

The Spicy Pie pizza incident at Coachella highlights ongoing concerns about food safety and pricing at major music festivals, where concession stands often charge exorbitant prices for basic items. If confirmed, a widespread foodborne illness outbreak could significantly damage the reputation of the Coachella festival and raise questions about vendor oversight and food handling practices at large-scale events.

The details

According to reports, many Coachella attendees have taken to social media to share their experiences of falling ill after eating pizza from the Spicy Pie vendor, which operates multiple booths at the festival. The vendor's signature item is a large, pepperoni-and-jalapeño-topped slice that costs $25. Viral TikTok videos show festival-goers describing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and stomach issues after consuming the pizza. Some even documented visits to the on-site medical tents to report suspected food poisoning. However, Coachella organizers have not yet confirmed any foodborne illness outbreak linked to the Spicy Pie vendor.

• The 2026 Coachella music festival took place over two consecutive weekends: April 10-12 and April 17-19.
• The alleged food poisoning incidents were reported by attendees during the first weekend of Coachella (April 10-12).

What’s next

Coachella organizers have not yet confirmed any foodborne illness outbreak related to the Spicy Pie vendor. If a widespread issue is verified, the festival may need to investigate food handling practices, consider vendor changes, and communicate transparently with attendees to address the situation.