First-Ever BBQ World Cup Announced
The first BBQ World Cup, a new global competition for competitive barbecue, has officially launched. Season one will connect 40 qualifying events across the U.S. and internationally. The series will culminate in a landmark $1 million event in Las Vegas in April 2027.
- The event is led by co-founders with backgrounds in professional sports marketing and global brand management for major entertainment properties like the NFL, Dallas Cowboys, FIFA World Cup, and American Idol. - The $1 million prize purse is the largest in barbecue history, with the first-place winner taking home $500,000. For comparison, the 2025 grand champion of Memphis in May won $27,000, and the top prize at the American Royal was $15,000. - The final event in Las Vegas will feature 100 teams competing in brisket, ribs, pork, and chicken categories. - International qualifying events are confirmed in six countries: Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and the U.K. - A "Pitmaster Competition Committee," composed of 13 champion pitmasters, will serve as the governing body to set official standards for the competition. - The World Cup is part of a larger platform called BBQ United, intended to be a global hub for barbecue enthusiasts with features like competition rankings, restaurant reviews, and technique tutorials. - The competition is designed in a season-long, progressive format to discover new talent and elevate their profiles, similar to popular TV competition shows. - In addition to the competition, the Las Vegas finals will include a large-scale "Expo" featuring live demos, product showcases, and educational seminars celebrating live-fire culture.
