Welcome to the ultimate pizza showdown, where nearly 500 pizza lovers take to the streets in a deliciously energetic race across all five boroughs using public transportation! It’s like a food-fueled obstacle course, complete with strategy, speed, and a whole lot of cheese.

The adventure kicks off in a bustling neighborhood. Participants receive their pizza passports on event day, revealing the mystery locations of the 5 pizzerias they will chow down at. Teams strategize and hit the streets. After a day of pizza-packing glory, we throw an afterparty to celebrate your saucy achievements.

And guess what? We award the fastest three teams, but we also celebrate everyone who finishes! The three winning teams will be showered with perks from TA and our fabulous sponsors. Get ready to slice and dice your way to pizza fame!

Grab your crew and get ready to hit up five legendary pizzerias across the boroughs. The goal is to use public transportation (that means, absolutely no cars!) There’s no limit on team size, so bring your squad and unleash your creative genius! TA’s Borough Activists will be waiting at each pizzeria, ready to stamp your pizza passport and cheer you on like your biggest fans. Folks with varying dietary needs can participate — to get your passport stamped you only need to purchase a slice or a drink of choice. 

Don’t worry, we’ll guide you on a pizza-fueled road trip sans car! Participants will receive all the deets on starting and ending locations that are super easy to get to by walking/biking/scooting, etc. and public transport (including by our fun sponsor, NYC Ferry!) Plus, we’ll remind you of the friendly rules and give you the lowdown on what to expect at the afterparty. Your pizza passport will have all the juicy details, too!

You’ll snag free slices of pizza on us, the fabulous official 5 Boro Pizza Challenge T-shirt that will make your friends hungry with envy, an official passport to stamp your pizza journey, and a complimentary drink at the afterparty. Plus, an extra cheesy finisher medal to evoke those delicious pizza memories. You can also add on a TA annual membership. Oh, and did we mention the epic giveaways from our amazing sponsors!

Participants will receive all the deets on starting and ending locations that are super easy to get to by walking/biking/scooting and public transport (including by NYC Ferry!) Plus, we’ll remind you of the friendly rules and give you the lowdown on what to expect at the afterparty. Your pizza passport will have all the juicy details, too!

No pizza party is complete without squad goals! Each member of your team should register individually and round up your team members at the start line. There’s no minimum or cap on team size, but the average squad rolls in with 3 to 5 members. You can also take on this challenge solo!

Calling all pizza lovers of all ages. Minors under 18 need to bring a chaperone — because safety first, folks! Chaperones are responsible for keeping their little pizza enthusiasts safe and sound. Youth tickets (16 and under) are available for $30. Members receive a discount on ticket prices.

Transportation Alternatives is all about making NYC a safe and thriving city. Proceeds from this epic pizza adventure will support campaigns in each borough, focusing on creating safer streets and better transportation options. You will have your Pizza Passports stamped by the TA borough organizers and activists that are working hard to create a safer NYC. They’re excited to meet you!

This event is rain or shine — rain just adds to the challenge! We moved this year’s event back from April to May in hopes of sunnier days.

To help you stay dry, our trusted partner Cleverhood is offering 15% off One Less Car rain gear through May 9, 2026.

That said, safety always comes first. TA reserves the right to adjust, shorten, or cancel the event if conditions become unsafe. Entry fees are non-refundable and registrations can’t be transferred. Your ticket fee will be processed as a donation to TA.

Hold onto your crust! Transportation Alternatives is a nonprofit on a mission to make NYC streets safer. All event proceeds go towards our vision for a better, more equitable future. Tickets are non-refundable, but if you can’t make it, your ticket will be treated as a tax-deductible donation. You may convert your registration to a tax-deductible donation by e-mailing info@transalt.org

If your team is the first, second, or third to successfully get your pizza passports stamped at participating locations in all five boroughs, you haven’t used a car, and you take a photo together with your team at the finish, you’ll be a winner and will be honored at the afterparty! We will also have prizes for the most creative photos that incorporate pizza and your chosen mode(s) of transportation. The afterparty this year will be from 5 to 8PM. 

The 5 Boro Pizza Challenge was founded in 2016 by Joe Cutrufo as a way to help meet his fundraising goal for the Transportation Alternatives NYC Marathon team. Cutrufo joined the TA staff in 2017 as Communications Director, and continued organizing the 5 Boro Pizza Challenge for the next four years as a fundraiser for Transportation Alternatives along with his wife, Shannon Moriarty. Shortly after the 2020 5 Boro Pizza Challenge (which was altered to accommodate pandemic precautions), he and his family left their Upper Manhattan home for Houston, where Cutrufo now serves as executive director of the non-profit advocacy organization BikeHouston.

NYC Ferry serves all five boroughs, with every route serving multiple NYC boroughs. Visit ferry.nyc for more information and download the NYC Ferry app to buy and store tickets, check estimated onboard passenger and bike capacity, view real-time schedules and service alerts, and get step-by-step trip planning.

The Seaport is a historic waterfront neighborhood in Lower Manhattan, where old New York meets the new. Located on the East River, it’s known for its cobblestone streets, restored 19th-century buildings, and sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Today, the Seaport is a destination for dining, drinks, shopping, live music, and seasonal events—more about spending time than just passing through.