WINGS WEEKEND 2026: MEET THE LINEUP
Wings Weekend 2026: Big Game Weekend Just Got Way Tastier in Russell, KY!
Let’s be honest, you’re going to be eating wings for The Big Game, so you might as well eat local. And in Russell, Kentucky, there’s only one correct answer: Wings Weekend 2026.
From Friday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8, 2026, Wander Russell is turning Big Game weekend into a full-blown wing crawl, featuring some of Russell’s most-loved local restaurants. It’s part food tour, part friendly competition, and 100% a reason to cancel your dinner plans and eat wings all weekend long.
Oh, and every wing order gets you closer to winning a $50 Visa gift card. Read below for the play-by-play and meet your Wings Weekend 2026 lineup!
How Wings Weekend Works (AKA: The Easiest Game You’ll Ever Win)
No complicated rules, no refs, no instant replay:
• Order wings at any participating Wings Weekend location
• While you’re there eating, grab a Wings Weekend passport
• Get it stamped at each stop you visit
• Post your wing wandering on Facebook or Instagram using
#wanderrussellky + #wingsweekend2026. Don’t forget to tag us!
• The more places you visit and the more you post, the more entries you earn to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Once you’ve eaten your way through the weekend, vote for your favorite wing to crown the 2026 Wings Week Champion! Voting opens February 6 and closes 11:59 PM on February 8th.
You don’t have to hit every spot to play, but the more you do, the more likely you will win!
Meet the Wings Weekend 2026 Lineup
ERIDANUS BREWING (2025 Champion)
If you’re chasing the defending champ, start at Eridanus Brewing, the 2025 Wings Weekend Champion and a Downtown Russell favorite since opening their doors in 2022.
Founded by Justin & Kristen Matthews, Eridanus is named after a constellation that means river, which is very fitting for our beloved river town! Justin brews all of the beer in-house and leads the pizza-making from their pizza truck alongside their team. Kristen is the creative mind behind Eridanus’ teas, lattes, and her brand Appalachian Folkology. They’ve culminated a great community of loyal patrons, especially during their Wednesday night trivia, Thursday night game nights and weekend events.
For Wings Weekend, they’re teaming up with B&T’s Food Truck, locally-owned by Bryan and Tabby Powell of Powell’s Farm. B&T’s Food Truck and Eridanus make a great team! B&T’s can be seen at Eridanus’ events on a regular basis, and you may see Tabby working the bar every now and then. Powell’s Farm even uses the brewery’s spent grain to feed their animals! A B&T menu favorite are their smoked wings, and we are excited to see what they serve up this year!
GHOSTLY GOURMET & THE TRAIN STATION
Both Ghostly Gourmet and The Train Station are owned by veteran Bobby Lege, making them a true Russell power duo during Wings Weekend.
Ghostly Gourmet started in 2017 and landed in Downtown Russell (DTR) in 2023. It’s a go-to lunch spot for burgers, hot dogs, salads, and wings. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spot the sasquatch!
Their sister restaurant, The Train Station, opened in 2024 and didn’t take long to make waves. Known for steaks, chicken, seafood, pasta, and of course, wings, it even went viral, quickly becoming a must-visit spot for locals and visitors alike.
Between the two, you’ll find classic wing flavors alongside bold twists like spicy peach. While you’re there, do yourself a favor and order the spiral fries! They are SO good and the best teammate for your order of wings.
WINGS ETC.
If you want pure Big Game energy, Wings Etc. is where it’s at.
A Russell staple for the past 7 years, Wings Etc. is owned by Russell native Ray Davis, who retired from AK Steel and Marathon before pouring that same work ethic into one of the best hangout spots in town. You can listen to live music here at least once or twice a month, and it’s one of the best places to watch a ball game.
The Big Game is their largest weekend of the year, and they fully staff the restaurant to keep wings flying and drinks flowing. You can expect TVs everywhere, people cheering, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile.
No matter your wing personality, hot, spicy, mild, or sweet, they’ve got you covered. And if you like trying the newest thing on the menu, don’t miss their brand BFD sauce and fries (yes, BIG FREAKIN DEAL), and they’re even serving dirty sodas too!
Cast Your Vote & Crown the Champion
Think you’ve found the wing? Vote for your favorite between February 6-8, and help crown the Wings Weekend 2026 Champion!
And again, don’t forget to post your passport to be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card!
Plan Your Weekend in Russell
Wings Weekend is just one reason to spend Big Game weekend in Russell, KY. While you’re here, explore our local shops, riverfront views, and everything else happening around town.
👉 Start planning here!
👉 Follow along at @wanderrussellky for reminders, updates, and behind-the-scenes fun
Eat wings. Support local. Post everything.
We’ll see you at Wings Weekend 2026!