MEMPHIS, TN — The global culinary spotlight returns to Liberty Park this May 13–16 for the 2026 World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
Renowned as the “Super Bowl of Swine,” this cornerstone of the Memphis in May International Festival will see elite pitmasters battle for the prestigious title of World Champion.
Adding to the high-stakes tradition, the 2026 edition introduces the inaugural “Open Fire World Championship” from May 14–16, pushing the boundaries of live-fire technique.
Between the intense competition, the fragrant clouds of hickory smoke, and the legendary river-city hospitality, Memphis remains the undisputed epicenter of barbecue excellence.
