Rhode Island — Grower's Pumpkin Sets New World Weight Record

A pumpkin grown in Rhode Island now holds the world record for heaviest pumpkin, weighing 3,156 pounds, ABC News reported. The gourd surpassed a previous record of 2,856 pounds that had been set only a week earlier, according to the network's report.

ABC News anchor David Muir presented the segment, which aired October 15, 2026, and did not name the specific grower, the town where the pumpkin was raised, or the competition that certified the weight. HTT News has not independently verified those details and is relying on ABC's reporting for the figures cited here.

How Much Does The New Record Pumpkin Weigh?

The pumpkin tipped the scale at 3,156 pounds, according to ABC News's video report. That figure was the headline number in the network's coverage and the basis for the world-record claim.

What Was The Previous Record?

ABC News said the prior mark stood at 2,856 pounds and had been set just days before the Rhode Island pumpkin was weighed. The network's report did not say where the earlier record was set or who grew that pumpkin.

Who Grows Giant Pumpkins And Why?

Competitive pumpkin growing draws entrants who spend a season nurturing a single vine, often pruning other fruit from the plant so all its energy goes into one gourd. The hobby has a long history at state fairs and agricultural competitions across the country, though ABC's report did not detail the specific growing techniques used for this pumpkin.

Giant-pumpkin contests typically require growers to haul their entries to a certified scale, often using heavy equipment, before a result is announced to the crowd. ABC's segment focused on the weigh-in result rather than the mechanics of transporting or measuring the pumpkin.

Is The Record Likely To Be Broken Again Soon?

The speed with which the previous record fell — broken within about a week, per ABC News — suggests growers are actively competing for the title this season. Giant-pumpkin records have been broken repeatedly in recent years as growers refine seed genetics and cultivation methods, though ABC's report did not speculate on whether another challenger is expected this fall.

Where Can Readers Watch The Report?

The full segment is available on ABC News's video page, which includes Muir's on-air description of the weigh-in and the comparison to the prior record.

HTT News will update this brief if additional details on the grower's identity, the weigh-in location, or the sanctioning organization become available.