HOUSTON - The smoke has cleared, the pits have cooled, and champions have been crowned at one of Houston's most anticipated annual traditions.

More than 250 barbecue teams from across Texas and around the world fired up their pits last week for the 2026 World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest

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After three days of cooking, competition, and crowds, All Jacked Up emerged as Grand Champion Overall, earning top honors in this 52nd annual showdown. Hardin County Go Texan claimed the coveted title of Reserve Champion Overall.

World Championship Bar-B-Que Contest

Teams competed across a full slate of categories that showcased both classic Texas barbecue and creative flair, including Brisket, Ribs, Chicken, Go Texan, Dutch Oven Dessert, the Open Contest and the WCBBQ Games, where teams were tested on speed, agility, coordination and teamwork.

Spotlight on the winners

Barbecue purists watched closely as judges named this year's brisket, ribs and chicken champions:

BrisketChampion - Victoria County Go TexanSecond Place - Holy Cow CookersThird Place - Bunch of SwinesRibsChampion - America Royal Winner - Wag's Backwoods BBQSecond Place - Colorado County Go TexanThird Place - The Stockyard SaloonChickenChampion - Jack Daniels Winner - Kings BBQSecond Place - Be Somebody Cooking TeamThird Place - Roughriders BBQ

The Go Texan competition, which highlights teams representing counties and regions from across the state, saw Hardin County Go Texan add to its overall success as Grand Champion, with Matagorda County Go Texan named Reserve Champion.

Place

On the sweeter side of the smoker, the Dutch Oven Dessert category rewarded creativity and campfire craft:

Champion - Cattle CookersSecond Place - Dusty QueThird Place - Maddog BBQ

In the Open Contest, where teams can showcase a wide range of recipes beyond traditional categories, the winners were:

Champion - Calhoun County Go TexanSecond Place - L.P.O.A. Road Kill CaféThird Place - Dusty Bones CookersYoung pitmasters take the stage

The bigger picture

The 2026 contest once again hosted the popular Jr. Cook-off, giving aspiring pitmasters ages 8 to 14 their own moment in the spotlight. Each young competitor was provided a steak to prepare and was judged on appearance, tenderness and taste.

This year's Jr. Cook-off winners were:

Champion - David Causey, Pressure CookersSecond Place - Raelyn Eleesa Barker, Pitmaker BBQ AddictionThird Place - Peyton Lewis, Texas Social ClubRecognizing community impact and showmanship

In 2026, organizers introduced a new honor, the Impact Award, recognizing teams that make a positive difference in their communities. The inaugural Impact Award Champion was 300 Justice Road, highlighting the contest's growing emphasis on service as well as skill.

Causey Pressure CookersSecond Place

The event also celebrated the creative flair that makes the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest a fan favorite. Specialty awards went to:

Best Façade - Holy Cow CookersBest Overall Theme - Limestone County CookersBest Skit - BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team

And in the high-energy WCBBQ Games, where teams put their speed, coordination and teamwork to the test, the top finishers were:

Winner - Half Fast CookersSecond Place - Brisket Cases

As the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its decades-long tradition, the 52nd Annual World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest again proved why it's a cornerstone of Rodeo season -- blending fierce culinary competition, community spirit and true Texas culture over three unforgettable days in Houston.

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In 2026, organizers introduced a new honor, the Impact Award, recognizing teams that make a positive difference in their communities.

Why this lands now

Menus are the clearest record of what diners actually wanted, since every change reflects something that did or did not sell.

The short version

  • HOUSTON - The smoke has cleared, the pits have cooled, and champions have been crowned at one of Houston's most anticipated annual traditions
  • In the Open Contest, where teams can showcase a wide range of recipes beyond traditional categories, the winners were
  • In 2026, organizers introduced a new honor, the Impact Award, recognizing teams that make a positive difference in their communities
  • The event also celebrated the creative flair that makes the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest a fan favorite
  • In the high-energy WCBBQ Games, where teams put their speed, coordination and teamwork to the test, the top finishers were

By the numbers

  • More than 250 barbecue teams from across Texas and around the world fired up their pits last week for the 2026 World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
  • The 2026 contest once again hosted the popular Jr

Common questions

What should you know about Place?

Champion - Cattle CookersSecond Place - Dusty QueThird Place - Maddog BBQ.

Why does it matter?

Champion - David Causey, Pressure CookersSecond Place - Raelyn Eleesa Barker, Pitmaker BBQ AddictionThird Place - Peyton Lewis, Texas Social ClubRecognizing community impact and showmanship.

All told

The details will firm up over the coming months. What is already clear is that this is unlikely to be the last we hear of it.