If you were at the Milano Design Week 2026 and stumbled across one of the strangest (and busiest) corners, you might have experienced one of the most surreal moments of this year’s edition.
A meatball-flavoured lollipop, created by IKEA × Chupa Chups.
And no, it wasn’t a joke.
Anyone who tried it knows: it’s not just a gimmick. The taste genuinely recalls IKEA’s iconic meatballs, with that sweet-and-savory mix that surprisingly works.
But the truth is, the product itself is almost secondary. Because what happened at Design Week was pure marketing: people lining up to try it, phones out, filming, content everywhere, instant word of mouth.
A strange object becomes perfect content.
It all started as a joke
Here’s where it gets interesting. What is now a real product—amplified by a physical experience—actually started as an April Fools’ post.
On April 1st, IKEA shared a deliberately absurd concept: a meatball-flavoured Chupa Chups.
Usually, that’s where it ends. A scroll, a laugh, and it disappears. This time, it didn’t.
The brand turned the idea into something real. And not just that:
the co-branding with Chupa Chups is strong
production is limited
distribution is free
After Design Week, the product won’t hit regular shelves. The plan is different.
IKEA and Chupa Chups will distribute it for free, in limited quantities, in IKEA stores across selected countries starting from June 2026, while supplies last. Which means you’ll only get it if you physically visit a participating IKEA store at the right time—and get a bit lucky.
This isn’t a supermarket product or something you can buy online. It’s designed as an experiential giveaway to drive store traffic and spark conversation.
Yes, a meatball lollipop sounds absurd. But:
IKEA’s meatballs are iconic
Chupa Chups is synonymous with lollipops
IKEA brings a strong food-driven brand imagery, while Chupa Chups adds playfulness, lightness, and immediacy.
The lollipop was also part of a broader concept presented by IKEA at the Milano Design Week 2026, where food becomes part of a wider narrative around experience and everyday life. This reflects a direction the brand has been pursuing for some time: food is no longer just an add-on, but a core element of the brand experience.
IKEA is increasingly turning its spaces into places people visit not just to shop, but to experience something. In this context, the meatball Chupa Chups isn’t a one-off stunt, but a natural extension of that strategy.