LAS VEGAS – The64.com is bringing together ice cream enthusiasts nationwide with the launch of its second annual America’s Best Ice Cream tournament, a fan-driven competition designed to determine which creamery earns the title of the nation’s favorite. The tournament arrives during National Ice Cream Month, with National Ice Cream Day scheduled for Sunday, July 19, offering consumers an opportunity to celebrate one of America’s most popular frozen desserts.
The competition will begin on July 16 at 9 a.m. PT/noon ET and continue through August 2. Over the course of 18 days, fans will participate by voting through each round of the tournament, gradually narrowing the field until one ice cream shop is selected as the winner.
The tournament will feature 64 of the country’s leading creameries, representing a mix of small-town scoop shops and well-known city destinations. The participating businesses reflect the wide range of flavors and styles found throughout the American ice cream industry, from traditional favorites to more creative offerings.
Consumers will see a variety of flavors represented throughout the competition, including popular choices such as chocolate fudge brownie and cookies & cream, along with more distinctive options like French lavender, sea salt caramel, and bourbon turtle. The event highlights the creativity, craftsmanship, and regional character of ice cream makers across the country.
“America’s Best Ice Cream is one of those tournaments that brings out hometown pride in the sweetest way,” said Justin Woo, founder of The64. “Everyone has a favorite ice cream shop, flavor, or summer memory tied to a scoop, and The64.com gives them a chance to help their shop gain national attention.”
The64 Highlights Community Voting and Consumer Engagement
Unlike traditional rankings or industry lists, The64’s competition is built around public participation rather than editorial selection. The organization said the tournament is entirely fan-driven, with no paid advertising influence and no editorial bias involved in determining the contenders.
The participating creameries were selected based on public nominations, social media attention, and top online reviews. The approach is intended to give consumers a direct role in recognizing local favorites and helping smaller ice cream businesses receive broader national visibility.
Alongside the competition itself, voters will have opportunities to win prizes during the tournament. The interactive format encourages ice cream fans to support their preferred shops while following the progress of each round.
The launch also coincides with National Ice Cream Month, an annual celebration recognizing the popularity of ice cream across the United States. The event provides a seasonal platform for businesses and consumers to highlight new flavors, traditional favorites, and the role ice cream plays in summer traditions.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association’s 2026 survey, ice cream cones remain the preferred serving style among many Americans. The survey found that 40 percent of respondents preferred ice cream cones, compared with 24 percent who selected ice cream sandwiches and 14 percent who preferred mini cups.
Toppings also continue to play an important role in the ice cream experience. Hot fudge ranked as the most popular topping choice at 31 percent, followed by whipped cream at 27 percent, caramel sauce at 21 percent, and chocolate sauce at 18 percent.
With its combination of consumer voting, local pride, and nationwide participation, The64’s America’s Best Ice Cream tournament aims to celebrate the businesses and flavors that define the country’s ice cream culture. Fans can follow the competition as the bracket progresses and take part in choosing the winner of this year’s nationwide contest.
