MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If you're a barbecue lover, you don't want to miss the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
It's going on now through May 14, 2022, at the old Mid-South Fairgrounds in Liberty Park. 215 teams are competing for the title of World Champion and a share of the more than $140,000 in prize money.
The contest features championship pork categories of Ribs, Shoulder, and Whole Hog, as well as the ancillary competitions of Hot Wings, Sauce and "Anything But Pork."
ABC24's Chelsea Chandler will be among those judging the competition.
General Admission tickets to the competition are $13 in advance online and $15 at the gate. There are two entry gates: Southern Avenue at Early Maxwell Boulevard and Central Avenue at Early Maxwell Boulevard.
Photos: Day 1 of World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest in Memphis
Gate opening times
- Wednesday, May 11: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Thursday, May 12: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Friday, May 13: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Saturday, May 14: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- On-site judging is set for Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Shuttles
Free shuttles will run from downtown Memphis to the Southern Avenue and Early Maxwell Boulevard gate. Shuttles will run from 4 p.m. until one hour after gates close each day.
Shuttles will pick up and drop off at Second Street and Exchange Avenue at the Sheraton Hotel and Union Avenue and BB King Boulevard at the Peabody Hotel.