{"id":610904,"date":"2026-02-23T17:39:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/610904\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T17:39:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T17:39:13","slug":"rodeohouston-kicks-off-season-worlds-championship-bar-b-que-contest-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/610904\/","title":{"rendered":"RodeoHouston kicks off season World\u2019s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. What to know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>HOUSTON, Texas <\/strong> \u2013 The smell of smoke, wood fire, and sizzling brisket is about to take over NRG Park because the 2026 World\u2019s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest presented by Cotton Holdings is rolling into town February 26\u201328, and it\u2019s officially the can\u2019t-miss kickoff to Rodeo season in Houston. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">If you\u2019ve ever wondered why barbecue lovers mark this weekend on their calendars months in advance, now you\u2019ll get the full scoop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">This legendary cook-off brings together more than 250 teams from all over the U.S. and around the world, all competing to be crowned the best in brisket, ribs, chicken, Dutch oven dessert and even a fun open category. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">There\u2019s even a junior cook-off for young chefs ages 8\u201314, so it\u2019s truly a family affair with something for everyone. <\/p>\n<p>What to expect when you go<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">First off, yes, this is a barbecue competition, but it\u2019s also a full-blown party. You don\u2019t have to be a die-hard foodie to have a blast:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>The Garden Stage (presented by Miller Lite) hosts live music throughout all three days, with Texas country acts, DJ sets and more to keep the vibes high as you stroll the grounds. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>The Rockin\u2019 Bar-B-Que Saloon has live bands, DJs and a cool outdoor patio to hang out \u2014 perfect after you\u2019ve filled up. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>And yes, there\u2019s BBQ you can actually eat: every ticket includes a complimentary plate of sliced brisket, sausage, beans and chips from the Chuckwagon tent. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Beyond the cooking and music, the Carnival presented by First Community runs throughout the event, think rides, games, and that classic midway energy. <\/p>\n<p>Tickets &amp; logistics<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Admission gets you into all the public fun: BBQ plate, live music spots, saloon and Chuckwagon, and the carnival. Here\u2019s how it breaks down:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Adults (13 &amp; up): $30<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Kids (3\u201312): $10<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Ages 2 &amp; under: Free<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Grounds Season Pass: $65 \u2014 gives you access not just to the cook-off, but to public areas throughout the upcoming Houston Livestock Show &amp; Rodeo run too. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Parking is easy with $25 lots available once you\u2019re at NRG, but if you can ride-share or get dropped off, even better.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">One important thing to remember: most team tents are private and invitation-only (some sell tickets, but you will have to reach out to the tent or company directly for those), so unless you\u2019ve been gifted a pass, you\u2019ll be enjoying the general access areas instead. That\u2019s more than enough good eats and entertainment for a day of fun. <\/p>\n<p>Why this event matters<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">This cook-off isn\u2019t just about great food; it\u2019s a Houston tradition that officially launches rodeo season. The energy is contagious, the aromas are irresistible, and even seasoned locals say it\u2019s one of their favorite weekends of the year. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Whether you\u2019re a barbecue obsessive, a music fan, or just looking for a unique way to spend a weekend in Houston, this event delivers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">So grab your friends, your appetite, and maybe a cowboy hat, it\u2019s BBQ time. <\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON, Texas \u2013 The smell of smoke, wood fire, and sizzling brisket is about to take over NRG&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":610905,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5130],"tags":[262231,18719,262227,4345,45744,226239,262228,262226,262229,109649,358,239199,262230,3187],"class_list":["post-610904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-barbecue-festival","tag-bbq","tag-bbq-cookoff","tag-houston","tag-houston-rodeo","tag-houston-tradition","tag-nrg-park-houston","tag-ready-2-rodeo","tag-rodeo-season-houston","tag-rodeohouston","tag-texas","tag-texas-barbecue","tag-texas-bbq-contest","tag-tx"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116121171708809317","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610904"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610904\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/610905"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=610904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=610904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}