ABOUT

AS SEEN ON FOOD NETWORK’S “BBQ USA”

The Campground BBQ Series offers nationally sanctioned state BBQ championships scattered throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Because they are hosted at local campgrounds, these contests allow BBQ teams to compete with every advantage necessary, including electric, water, trash, bathrooms, hot showers and even sewage disposal. They also allow teams to wind down in private comfort to just enjoy the cooking process and time spent with friends and family. The winners of each contest qualify for national championships.

Campground BBQ includes primarily 4-meat Masters contests, but some weekends include a dedicated 2-meat Backyard contest for Chicken and Rib categories. We also allow first-time teams to enter just 1 or 2 categories to "get their feet wet." If you've been thinking about testing your mettle against other BBQ enthusiasts, you've got a diversity of options, and you'll learn a lot more about barbecue and grilling.

Many contest weekends include a one-meat contest, allowing teams to experiment a little while also increasing their national scores in that category.

These contests are primarily for teams only – there are no food vendors, music stage, kid’s activities or other “festival” events. BBQ teams are unable to sell or give away food to public attendees, per local health department regulations. Campers are welcome to interact with teams, but we strongly discourage people from interacting with teams between 10am-2pm, as this is when teams are most busy preparing their contest entries. Friends and family are welcome to visit but may need to pay a day fee to enter the private facility.

2026 CONTEST WEEKENDS

April 10-12: Southern New England Barbecue Throwdown, Bristol CT – SAT & SUN Masters, 1-Meat Chicken, 1-Meat Ribs, Pizza Ancillary — DEADLINE: April 1, 2026
April 17-19 [NEW DATE]: New Jersey KnoQ-out, Blairstown NJ – SAT & SUN Masters, SAT & SUN Backyard, 1-Meat Chicken, 1-Meat Ribs, Anything Chocolate Ancillary, Rib Roulette — DEADLINE: April 1, 2026
May 1-3 [NEW DATE & LOCATION]: Grand American Barbecue World Championship, Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz NY – SAT Masters Invitational, SUN Masters NY State Championship Open, 1-Meat Chicken, 1-Meat Ribs, Made With Maple Ancillary, Cocktails Ancillary, Sausage Ancillary — DEADLINE: April 24, 2026 — Apply separately at www.GrandAmBBQ.com/teams
June 5-7: TBA
Sept. 19-20: Green Mountain BBQ Championship, Braintree VT – SUN Masters, 1-Meat Chicken, 1-Meat Ribs, Made With Maple Ancillary — DEADLINE: August 28, 2026
Oct. 23-25: Red White & Q, Jackson NJ – SAT & SUN Masters, SAT & SUN Backyard, 1-Meat Chicken, 1-Meat Ribs, Fried Chicken Ancillary, Rib Roulette — DEADLINE: October 16, 2026