10th Annual ‘Popi’ World Ham Championship

The 10th Annual Popi World Ham Championship will take place from August 8-17 in Estepona, and is the biggest gastronomic festival on the Costa del Sol.

Organised by professional ham cutter José María Tellez, or ‘Popi,’ as he’s known to his friends, and promoted by the Diputación de Málaga, the festival is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors in 4 days.

The event will feature 65 exhibitors, including more than 200 professional cutters. This makes it the largest ham-tasting event in the world. Visitors can enjoy freshly sliced Iberian ham for €5, alongside other pork products, artisan cheeses, breads, and Malaga wines and beers. Fifteen Sabor a Málaga stalls will present local products, including chestnut-fed hams from Alto Genal, Embutidos Melgar, Icarben, Pan Piña, Moyla Alimentación, and DOP Malaga wines from Bodegas Carpe Diem.

The nearly one kilometer long festival is open every day from 7pm-2am. It is designed to promote Malaga’s hospitality and agrofood industries, while also boosting the sector of hams and pork derivatives. Eva Ruiz will be the host of the event, which features free music performances every night starting at 11.30pm.