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HOUSTON - It is that time again when the smells of smoke and sizzling brisket take over NRG Park. The 2026 World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, which is the the traditional kickoff to Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season has started today and will run through Saturday, February 28th. Presented by Cotton Holdings, the three-day competition draws more than 250 teams from all over the world, competing for bragging rights at one of the most renowned cook-offs in the world. The official start to the rodeo season will begin on Monday, March 2nd and carry-on until March 22nd.
Dates and Hours
The contest will run across three nights at NRG Park in Houston. Thursday, Feb. 26, opens from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, runs from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, is the longest day, beginning at 9 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. The Contest Awards Presentation, where the grand champion and category winners are crowned, takes place Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite.
Tickets and Admission
Single-day grounds tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Individuals looking to make more than one trip may be intrigued in a sweet deal, which is a $65 grounds season pass. This season pass includes daily admission to the Bar-B-Que Contest plus all public activities at NRG Park, NRG Center and NRG Arena throughout the full Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo run — making it a solid value for those planning multiple visits. Carnival admission is included with grounds access, though rides and games must be paid for separately. It is important to know that rodeo performances and concerts inside NRG Stadium are not included with Bar-B-Que Contest tickets or ground passes. On-site parking runs $25, though ride-share drop-off is a popular alternative.
The Teams
More than 250 teams are set to compete in this years competition, these teams will be representing a wide range of backgrounds — from corporate-sponsored tents to dedicated barbecue clubs and seasoned backyard pitmasters. Even the kiddos will be getting into some of the cooking action, as there is a junior cook-off for chefs ranging from ages 8-14, making this event perfect for the family. Most team tents are private and invitation only and; these are tents are held by companies, organizations and individuals who control the access to their spaces. Some tents do sell tickets to the public, however attendees interested in joining a specific team's tent is going to need to contact that team or company directly.
How the Competition Works
The teams will compete across many different categories such as brisket, ribs, chicken, Dutch oven dessert and an open category. These categories will be judged based on their taste, tenderness and appearance. A grand champion is named from the top performers across the categories, with individual category winners also recognized at Saturday's awards presentation. This competition has become a cornerstone of the rodeo's pre-season tradition for decades and has drawn competitors who have been preparing for months.
What the Public Can Do
Even without a invitation to a private tent, general admission opens up a full slate of opportunities for entertainment at the contest grounds. The Garden Stage, located at the center of the grounds and presented by Miller Lite, features both up-and-coming and established Texas country music artists throughout the weekend. The Rockin' Bar-B-Que Saloon offers live and DJ music alongside an outdoor patio. Inside the saloon is The Chuckwagon, where ticketed visitors can pick up a complimentary barbecue plate — typically including sliced brisket, beans and chips. The Carnival, presented by First Community, runs day and night with rides and games available for purchase.
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