La Tomatina 2026: tickets, date and rules of the tomato battle

One hour a year you get to throw tomatoes at strangers. La Tomatina 2026 will take place on Wednesday, August 26 in Buñol.

The battle starts at 12:00 and ends exactly at 13:00. Official entry costs €15, and packages with paella, a T-shirt, and a party start at €40 (as of 09/2026, official festival website).

We have put together the dates, rules, packing list, and directions from Valencia so you arrive prepared and don't waste time on site.

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La Tomatina 2026: date and key numbers

💡 In short:

• When: Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
• Where: Buñol in the province of Valencia.
• Battle: from 12:00 to 13:00, entry by ticket.

The festival is held every year on the last Wednesday of August. In 2026, that is August 26.

The number of participants is limited. Since 2013, access to the route has been ticket-only, and the crowd is kept to roughly 20,000 people. That is more than the population of Buñol itself.

Before tickets were introduced, there were no limits, and many times more people filled the town's streets. Local shops close their storefronts in advance with large plastic shields so the pulp doesn't get inside.

How La Tomatina began

The festival dates back to 1945 (as of 09/2026, official festival website). According to the most popular version, during a street celebration townspeople threw tomatoes at a market stall run by members of the town council. People enjoyed it, and it became an annual tradition.

Under the dictator Francisco Franco, the festival was banned: the authorities believed it had no religious value. The ban was in effect from the early 1950s, and in 1959 the festival was officially brought back.

Today the festival is dedicated to the town's patron saints, Luis Bertrán and the Virgin of the Forsaken. For Buñol, it is not just fun but an event of international tourism significance.

How the festival day unfolds

The day starts long before the first throw. Around 9 a.m., a light snack is handed out in the square, and participants gradually gather in the center (as of 09/2026, official festival website).

At 10:00, the palo jabón, or "soap pole," begins. A volunteer needs to climb to the top of a greased pole where a bag of jamón hangs. While participants try to stay on the slippery surface, the crowd warms up.

Closer to noon, trucks carrying tomatoes arrive at Plaza del Pueblo. After a signal rocket, the battle itself begins.

After the battle, the streets are washed down with water from fire trucks. Participants look for places to wash off the red pulp: many head to the Buñol River, and some are helped by hoses from local residents.

Once the town is back in order, the second part of the day begins. Post-festival parties are usually organized by tour operators for those who bought a ticket with a program.

© Graham McLellan from London, UK · CC BYPhoto: Graham McLellan from London, UK, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Festival rules and what to bring

Safety matters more than fun here, so the rules are strictly enforced.

• Do not bring bottles or hard objects: they can easily injure someone nearby.
• Do not rip clothing off other participants.
• Crush the tomatoes in your hand first, and only then throw them.
• Stay away from the trucks that distribute the tomatoes.

Practical tips go along with the rules.

• Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don't mind throwing away. Flip-flops are banned for safety reasons.
• Bring a clean cloth or towel to wipe your eyes when they get covered in pulp.
• Leave gadgets and valuables at home. A waterproof camera works for filming, and keep your phone in a sealed case.
• There is no bag storage at the entrance, so bring only the essentials.

The traditional outfit for participants is white (as of 09/2026, rules on the festival website).

Tickets: price and how to buy

The e-ticket must be exchanged: at the entrance it is scanned and you receive a wristband. Without a wristband, you will not be allowed into the battle zone.

Basic entry costs €15 and includes access to the route and the wristband exchange (as of 09/2026, official festival website). Packages from the merchants' association start at €40 and add a T-shirt, paella, drinks, or a post-festival party.

Buy tickets in advance: entry is limited, and by August there are almost no spots left. You don't need to print the ticket; showing the PDF on your phone is enough.

If you are coming from Valencia without a car and don't want to deal with tickets and transport, take a ready-made La Tomatina tour from Valencia: the program usually includes transport and a guide.

How to get there from Valencia and where to stay

Buñol is 40 km from Valencia near the A-3 motorway. The most convenient way is the Renfe C-3 suburban train from Valencia Sant Isidre station: the journey takes under an hour.

By car it is also easy: you exit the A-3 toward Buñol. But on festival day the center is closed to traffic early in the morning, so park on the outskirts and walk. In the August heat, that stretch is tough, so bring water.

There are few hotels in Buñol, so most participants stay overnight in Valencia and arrive in the morning. Accommodation near the station or in central Valencia helps you avoid rushing in the morning: you will have extra time for the trip.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does La Tomatina take place in 2026?

In 2026, the festival falls on Wednesday, August 26. It is the last Wednesday of the month, a fixed date. Arrive in Buñol in the morning to get your wristband and find a spot.

How much does festival entry cost?

Basic entry costs €15 and only gives you the right to take part in the battle (as of 09/2026, official festival website). Packages with a T-shirt, paella, drinks, or a party start at €40.

Can I attend without a ticket?

No. Access to the route is ticket-only (as of 09/2026, official festival website). The e-ticket is exchanged for a wristband at checkpoints from 9 a.m. on festival day.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear white and closed-toe shoes: it is the tradition and it is safer. Flip-flops are banned. Bring a towel for your eyes, and keep your phone in a sealed case: there is no bag storage at the entrance. Leave valuables and documents at the hotel.

Where should I stay near the festival?

There are few hotels in Buñol, so most participants stay overnight in Valencia. From there it is under an hour to Buñol by suburban train.

In short: what to book

La Tomatina fits into a single day, but it is better to prepare in advance. If you only want to take part in the battle, a basic ticket is enough. If you want a T-shirt, food, and a post-festival party, get a package from the merchants' association.

• Just want the battle: basic ticket on the official website for €15.
• Want a ready-made trip with transport: find a tour from Valencia.
• Staying overnight in Valencia: book a hotel in Valencia.

Plan ahead and buy your ticket early: in August, options run out quickly.