Heat Wave Expo Survival Guide

The Heat Wave Hot Sauce Expo is London’s largest spicy food event, taking place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Centennial Hall (550 Wellington St). General admission tickets are $9.99 in advance or $15 at the door. The event features over 50 hot sauce vendors, local craft breweries, and live eating competitions including the famous “Ring of Fire”.

When and where is the 2026 Heat Wave Expo?

The event runs for one day only: Saturday, February 28, 2026. Doors open at 11:00 AM and the heat lasts until 7:00 PM.

It is located in the heart of downtown London at Centennial Hall (550 Wellington St) [Google Map Link].

Parking Pro Tip:

The lot next to Centennial fills up instantly. Save money (and your sanity) by parking a few blocks east near Victoria Park and walking over. The cold air on the walk back will feel amazing after the wings.

How much are tickets and food?

You should buy your tickets online before you go to save cash for the vendors.

✅ Online Advance: $9.99
✅ At The Door: $15.00

Get Tickets Here

Important Note on the “Wing Deal”: If you were looking for the “Admission + Wings” combo ticket, it sold out on February 1st. You missed it. But don’t worry, you can still buy food inside (see below).

Can you buy actual meals at the Expo?

Yes. You aren’t just eating sauce on a spoon. You can buy full meals inside to soak up the heat.

The Anchor: C’Angelina Meat Catering (Booth #124b) is anchoring the food side of the expo. These are the local meat specialists you want to visit first to build a “base” before attacking the hot stuff.
The Strategy: Grab your food first, then take your tray to the vendor tables to sauce them up with the samples. It’s the ultimate “try before you buy.”

Local Heroes: The London & Area Roster

This is a national event, but we support the home team. Use this checklist to visit the local legends:

The London City Standouts:

Oceanspice Company (Booth #109): Authentic Jamaican Scotch Bonnet sauces and jerk marinades.
Proper Heathen (Booth #151): High-flavor, artisanal small batches with a modern edge.
The Botanist Alchemy (Booth #107): Farm-to-bottle, all-natural, and organic sauces.
Burn Out Hot Sauce (Booth #116): Intense flavor-first profiles created by local enthusiasts.
Gratzy’s BBQ (Booth #120): Family-recipe BBQ and dipping sauces.

The Regional Powerhouses:

Tijuana Tom’s (St. Thomas – Booth #128): Massive variety ranging from mild to “melt your face.”
Chucky Habanero (Mt. Brydges – Booth #135): Famous for fruit-and-fire pairings like Roasted Pineapple Habanero.

Special Mention:
The Soda Pop Bros: While they aren’t London-based, they will be there pouring their legendary craft sodas—the perfect fire extinguisher if you aren’t drinking beer!

The Official 2026 Fight Card

The Ring of Fire is where the legends are made. Even if you don’t compete, you have to watch. You can view the Full Schedule of Events Here.

3:00 PM: The Heatwave Chicken Wing Eating Competition
4:00 PM: “Shoot The Boot” Ginger Beer Challenge (Soda Pop Bros)
4:15 PM: Spicy Challenge (TBD)
4:30 PM: The “Tag Team” Speed Eating Competition
5:15 PM: The Vegan, Fastest Basket Competition
5:45 PM: The Main Event: Hurt Berry Farms Chilli Pepper Eating Competition

Think you have what it takes? Registration is OPEN NOW online, or you can check the DJ Booth at 11:00 AM for any last-minute dropouts.

How do I survive the heat without ruining my day?

If you walk in and immediately try the “Level 10” Ghost Pepper sauce, your day is over.

The “Ladder” Method: Start with the mild salsas and fruity habaneros. Talk to the vendors—they are passionate artisans. Work your way up the Scoville scale slowly.
The Rookie Mistake: Do not drink water. Water spreads the oil (capsaicin) around your mouth.
The Fix: Grab a beer from London Brewing Co-Op or Forked River Brewing, or hunt down some dairy.

Where should we go after the Expo?

You’ve done the lap. You’ve bought three bottles of sauce you’re slightly afraid of. Now what?

Cool Down: Head over to Richmond Row for a milkshake or a casual dinner to settle the stomach.
Walk it Off: A walk through Victoria Park (just a block away) is the perfect way to get some fresh air before heading back to the car.

Join the Conversation

We want to hear from the real heat-seekers in London:

Are you up for the challenge? Would you ever enter the Chilli Pepper contest, or are you strictly a spectator?
Have you been before? What’s the one sauce you bought last year that you’re still hoarding?
What is your favorite local sauce? Let’s give them a shout-out in the comments!

Grab your tickets at HeatWaveExpo.com and I’ll see you in the Ring of Fire! (NOT! LOL!)