With the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments underway, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a face-off of our own.

Last year, y’all helped us name the best mural: Gillian Fazio's Orange Mural. This year, we asked you to share your favorite pizza in Lakeland. Now —thanks to you and the help of a random generator — we have the official lineupfor our bracket.

How it works

We will host several voting rounds within our newsletters and social channels to determine Lakeland's best pizza. Who moves on is up to you. Vote for your favorites, and the pizza place with more votes moves on. Simple as that. We’ll go until we have a champion, which will be announced later this month. You will be able to vote once per round.

Want to fill out a bracket to see if you can guess who will win? Download and print an empty bracket to take the competition up a notch. If your bracket is correct, send us a photo for a shoutout and bragging rights.

Selection Round

Friendly competition, anyone?

With the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a face-off of our own. Not a sports fan? No worries. Our bracket will focus on a hot topic among locals. Last year, y’all helped us name the best mural: Gillian Fazio's Orange Mural. Now, we need your help to decide Lakeland's best pizza.

In order to get our initial lineup of eight contestants, we want to know your favorite pizza around town. Tell us with this survey and stay tuned to learn how to participate in the tournament.

Round 1

What’s your favorite pizza in Lakeland? | Graphic by 6AM City

Going head-to-head in the first round are:

Vote for your top four pizza shops in our survey by Monday, March 20, 2023.

Round 2

Vote to see your favorites advance to round 3. | Graphic via 6AM City

We've got some readers who are passionate about pizza. After 1,491 votes, here's who will advance to round three:

Jet's Pizza vs. Palace Pizza
Pizzeria Valdiano vs. J. Burns'

Vote for your top two pizza joints using this poll by Monday, March 27, 2023.

Round 3

Who will be crowned Lakeland's pizza champion? | Graphic via 6AM City

Things are heating up in Swan City. Palace Pizza and J. Burns' Pizza Shop are going head to head to be crowned the champion of Lakeland's pizza scene.

See your pick to the finish by voting in our final poll now through Thursday, March 30.

Winner

Congratulations to this year's bracket challenge winner. | Graphic via 6AM City

The votes are in — and boy, were they close. After a heated battle, Palace Pizza has been named the best pizza in Lakeland by our readers.

Celebrate the win by stopping by 114 S. Kentucky Ave. for a slice or a full pie. City Editor Connor always has to get the chicken balsamic pizza, and City Editor Rilee keeps it classic with a slice of pepperoni.

Congrats, Palace.