Is the Poop Competition in Spain Real or Fake?

Social media posts have gone viral claiming that Spain hosts an actual "poop competition." The claim has left many people bewildered — but is there any truth behind it?

The Viral Claim

Posts circulating on TikTok, Instagram, and X claim that Spain holds a competition involving defecation. The posts typically feature exaggerated descriptions and out-of-context images, leading millions to wonder if such an event really exists.

The Real Tradition: El Caganer

While there is no literal "poop competition" in Spain, the country does have genuine centuries-old traditions involving scatological humor. The most famous is the Caganer — a figurine depicted in the act of defecation that has been placed in Catalan nativity scenes since at least the 17th century.

The Caganer is traditionally hidden in a corner of the nativity scene, and children are encouraged to find it. The figure symbolizes fertilizing the earth and bringing good luck for the coming year. Today, modern Caganer figurines depict celebrities, politicians, and sports stars, and companies like Caganer.com hold annual polls for the most popular figurine of the year.

Another Tradition: Caga Tió

Catalonia also celebrates Caga Tió ("the pooping log"), a Christmas tradition where children beat a hollow log with sticks while singing songs, commanding it to "poop" out gifts and candy. It's a beloved family tradition that predates modern Christmas gift-giving customs.

Our Verdict

The viral claim of a literal poop competition in Spain is misleading. Spain has real, centuries-old cultural traditions involving scatological symbolism (the Caganer and Caga Tió), but no organized defecation contest exists. The viral posts appear to be sensationalized misrepresentations of these genuine Catalan traditions.