In October 2025, British twin brothers Ian and Stuart Paton wheeled a pumpkin nicknamed “Muggle” into a weigh-off in Wargrave, England, and shattered the world record. It tipped the scales at 2,819 pounds - heavier than a small car - and it was the first time the title had ever been held by UK growers. The previous champion was Travis Gienger’s 2,749-pound pumpkin grown in Minnesota in 2023.
Growing a pumpkin this huge is a science. Farmers start with seeds from past champion pumpkins, feed the plant rich compost, and pour hundreds of gallons of water on it every day. At their peak, giant pumpkins can pack on around 40 pounds in 24 hours, which works out to a pound every 35 minutes.
You can’t just lift one up either. To move a giant pumpkin you need a tripod, straps and a small crew. Many growers cut into the bottom of the vine, slide a pallet underneath, and then call in a tractor. After weighing, some pumpkins are carved into giant boats and paddled across lakes.
