Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Festival 2025: A Slice of Heaven Returns to NYC

Get ready to loosen your belts and fire up your taste buds because Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Festival is back for its third and most epic year yet! On Saturday, September 13, 2025, Randall’s Island Park will transform into a pizza lover’s paradise, hosting over 40 of America’s top pizzerias for an all-you-can-eat extravaganza that promises to be bigger, bolder, and tastier than ever. Following two consecutive sellouts, including a whopping 10,000+ attendees in 2024, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy and event production powerhouse Medium Rare are pulling out all the stops for this culinary celebration of pizza culture.

A Pizza-Packed Lineup Handpicked by El Presidente

Known for his viral “One Bite” pizza review series, where every slice is judged with the iconic tagline, “One Bite, Everyone Knows the Rules,” Portnoy has spent years crisscrossing the country, sampling thousands of pies to curate the ultimate lineup. This year’s festival features legendary pizzerias like Lucali, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Di Fara, Sally’s Apizza, Prince Street Pizza, and John’s of Bleecker Street, alongside newcomers like Ceres (VIP-only) and Pizz’amici from Chicago. With over 40 pizzerias dishing out unlimited slices, attendees can expect a diverse array of styles, from classic New York thin-crust to Sicilian squares, grandma pies, and Detroit-style deep dishes.

“Over the past year, my team and I toured the country, devoured countless slices, and I handpicked 40+ of my all-time favorite spots to bring together in one epic, pizza-filled day,” Portnoy said. “This is the greatest gathering of pizzerias ever!”

More Than Just Pizza

The One Bite Pizza Festival isn’t just about scarfing down slices (though that’s a major draw). The event offers a full-blown Italian experience with the Ferraro Foods Piazza, where attendees can sample authentic Italian delicacies, and the Italian Dessert Village, featuring sweet treats from iconic spots like Sal & Jerry’s Bakery, Ferrara Bakery & Cafe, and the Lemon Ice King of Corona. Wash it all down with complimentary Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, or Pepsi Wild Cherry as part of the “Pizza Deserves Pepsi” experience, or grab a High Noon hard seltzer for those 21+ looking to sip responsibly.

Interactive activations add to the fun, with partners like Ninja showcasing their new 5-in-1 pizza oven, Verizon offering expedited entry for customers, and Marie’s Refrigerated Salad Dressing providing a unique dressing wall to elevate your pizza game. BILT, the festival’s official rewards program partner, lets members use points to score tickets, while brands like Saputo, Marra Forni, and Flatiron Pepper Co. bring additional flavor to the event.

Two Sessions, Endless Slices

The festival runs in two sessions on September 13: an afternoon session from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM and an evening session from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. General admission tickets start at $179.99, granting access to unlimited pizza, the Ferraro Foods Piazza, the Italian Dessert Village, and free Pepsi. For those looking to level up, VIP tickets at $649.99 offer early access (30 minutes before the session starts), entry to Dave’s VIP Clubhouse with exclusive pizzerias like Ceres, a complimentary open bar, VIP-only restrooms, and fast-track entrance. For the ultimate experience, the Chef’s Tasting VIP Table delivers a seated, full-service pizza buffet with tableside service and a visit from Portnoy himself.

Getting to Randall’s Island is a breeze with the Manhattan Ferry, departing from East 35th Street every 20 minutes (ferry passes sold separately). Tickets went on sale June 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM EST via onebitepizzafest.com, and with past years selling out, fans are urged to act fast. A presale option and a $25 deposit plan are available for those looking to secure their spot early.

A Logistical Masterpiece

Producing a festival of this scale is no small feat. Medium Rare’s co-founder Adam Richman explained the challenge of replicating each pizzeria’s unique oven setup—whether coal, wood, or gas—in an outdoor setting. “Every pizzeria uses a different oven, and those ovens aren’t made for rentals or outdoor catering,” Richman said. “We purchase or source the exact ovens each pizzeria uses in their home shop to ensure the pizza tastes just like it does in their restaurant.” This dedication to authenticity ensures that slices from heavyweights like Frank Pepe or Di Fara live up to their reputation.

The festival also boasts a star-studded list of partners, including Pepsi, Ninja, Verizon, and High Noon, alongside musical performances and live pizza reviews by Portnoy himself. In 2024, Portnoy donated all his proceeds to help rebuild Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza in New Jersey after a fire, showcasing his commitment to the pizza community.

Why You Should Go

Whether you’re a die-hard “Stoolie” or just a pizza enthusiast, the One Bite Pizza Festival is a bucket-list event. It’s a rare chance to sample slices from America’s best pizzerias in one place, all curated by the internet’s most influential pizza critic. As Portnoy puts it, “Pizza’s greatest gathering ever … One Bite, Everyone Knows The Rules!”

But not everyone’s sold. Some critics argue the high ticket price doesn’t justify the experience, suggesting a DIY pizza crawl through NYC’s iconic pizzerias might offer better value and a more authentic vibe. Others have raised concerns about Portnoy’s controversial past, though participating pizzerias like Di Fara and Lucali cite the business boost from his reviews as a reason to join.

Grab Your Tickets and Bring Your Stretchy Pants

With 40+ pizzerias, unlimited slices, and a festival vibe that blends food, music, and interactive fun, the One Bite Pizza Festival 2025 is poised to be NYC’s ultimate foodie event. Whether you’re chasing the perfect slice or just want to soak in the pizza-fueled chaos, this is one party you won’t want to miss. Head to onebitepizzafest.com to snag your tickets before they sell out, and get ready to eat your way through pizza heaven.