New Haven, already famous for its legendary apizza, just took its pizza obsession to a whole new level—and right into the record books. At the 10th annual Apizza Feast, thousands of pizza lovers from all over Connecticut (and honestly, beyond) showed up to help the city set a new Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party ever.
The New Haven Green became the stage. The smell of fresh pizza drifted everywhere, and the whole scene felt like a celebration of more than just food. It was about community, culture, and that unmistakable local pride.
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New Haven Breaks Guinness World Record
Guinness World Record adjudicator Thomas Bradford confirmed the milestone. He counted 4,525 attendees—enough to beat Tulsa, Oklahoma’s previous record of 3,357 from January 2023.
Organizers had their sights set on 5,000, but Guinness’ rules are strict. Only those who ate at least two slices within a three-hour window made the official tally.
Organizers and Participants Reflect on the Achievement
Event organizer Colin Caplan saw the gathering as more than just a numbers game. He called it a celebration of New Haven’s pizza legacy and the city’s community spirit.
“This will go down in history,” Caplan said. He loved seeing residents, visitors, and volunteers come together with real excitement.
Yale University student Owen Zhang was there too. He said the energy was contagious, pulling together the campus crowd and the wider New Haven community in a way that’s honestly pretty rare.
The Perfect Setting on the New Haven Green
Between 4 and 7 p.m., the New Haven Green buzzed with the sights and smells of fresh apizza. Cheering crowds and live music filled the air.
The New Haven Grand Prix cycling races happened at the same time, which brought in even more people from places like Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, East Haven, Branford, Milford, and Bridgeport.
Atmosphere and City Pride
Guinness adjudicator Bradford called the day’s energy “incredible.” The mix of a pizza festival and high-speed bike racing? Pretty memorable, if you ask anyone who was there.
Mayor Justin Elicker said this new record just makes New Haven’s claim as the nation’s pizza capital even stronger. Locals and food critics have been saying it for ages, after all.
What It Took to Claim the Record
Breaking a Guinness World Record isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The “largest pizza party” rules were detailed and strict:
- Everyone counted had to eat two full slices of pizza.
- They had to do it within a tight three-hour window.
- Each person got recorded and verified right on site.
- The pizza itself had to meet Guinness standards for preparation and serving.
A Statewide Celebration of Apizza Culture
New Haven’s apizza stands apart from New York-style pizza, with roots that run deep in Connecticut. Events like this pull in fans from Stamford, Hartford, Norwalk, and beyond, all hungry to be part of the city’s food traditions.
This world record just adds weight to what locals have always claimed: when it comes to pizza, Connecticut—especially New Haven—really is in a league of its own.
Looking Toward the Future
This year’s Apizza Feast and Guinness triumph really got people talking. Organizers are already tossing around ideas to make the 2025 event even bigger.
They want to build on the excitement from this record-breaking moment. There’s a lot of buzz about showcasing New Haven’s culinary scene in new ways.
Right now, Connecticut holds the record. That says a lot about the passion and flavor you’ll find here—especially in New Haven.
Whether you’re in Waterbury, Danbury, or right in Elm City, maybe it’s time to grab a slice and join the celebration.
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