2026 Applications NOW open!!
Judge applicants may use the following online form to apply for several different contests. You must have a current KCBS membership and have taken the official KCBS Certified BBQ Judge (CBJ) course/refresher to sit at a table and score the meats presented, but non-CBJ volunteers are welcome to assist with the other tasks. Judges do not have to apply for all contests at once, but must contact Campground BBQ to add contests (no need to complete a separate application). Some weekends offer multiple contests, and some contests are scheduled for evenings. To simplify assignments, judges will be asked to support Masters, Backyard and Ancillary contests on the same day, although the Backyard contest will require a table reshuffle. Table captains and volunteers from the Masters contest get first opportunity to score any ancillary categories.
As a reminder, when you sign up for a contest, you agree to be part of the entire KCBS Judging process, which includes Judging (seated at a table and scoring the meats), being a Table Captain, and volunteering to work the Turn-In-Table, Number Changing area and Leftover area. If you are unable to perform any of these duties, please state so when you apply. Judging assignments and table/seat selection will be made by KCBS' random Chip Draw process at day-of registration.
BACKYARD CONTEST: Backyard Contests will be held during select contest weekends, with turn-ins taking place before the Masters categories are submitted. Judges will be asked to volunteer to support the Backyard contest.
ANCILLARY CATEGORIES: Various ancillary categories will be held during select contest weekends, with turn-ins taking place after all Masters categories have been submitted. Judges will be asked to volunteer to stay and support the Ancillary contest; if sufficient judges are available, the remainder will be released. Judges who serve as table captains or volunteers for the Masters contest get first opportunity to be seated for any Ancillary categories.
ONE-MEAT CONTEST: Master of Chicken and Master of Ribs contests are generally held at 7pm during contest weekends.
All judges are assigned to the Wait List until a minimum number of teams have signed up per contest. At that point, Campground BBQ will contact judges in the order of application to confirm their participation. This may not happen until a few months or weeks before a contest, so we appreciate your patience!
The Grand Am
The Grand American Barbecue World Championship (the “Grand Am”) is a 3-day BBQ festival that also includes a World Championship and New York State Championship, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). The Grand Am takes place at Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York, on May 1-3, 2026. More than 80 teams are expected. The Saturday Invitational will have a payout of $50,000 and the Sunday Open will have a $15,000 payout. More than 60 teams are expected each day and we will have a need for a number of volunteers to make the event work. Apply separately at www.GrandAmBBQ.com/Judges.
GET YOUR CAMPGROUND BBQ MERCH!!
T-shirts, hoodies, insulated bags, aprons, glassware — we’ve got it all, including the “concert-style” 2026 series T’s and hoodies.
JUDGE APPLICATION
* REQUIRED FIELDS
Up to FOUR individuals may be listed below to judge the following contests:
All Judges will be placed on the Wait List until sufficient Team numbers have been confirmed. Thank you for your patience and flexibility. As a reminder, when you sign up for a contest, you agree to be part of the entire KCBS Judging process, which includes Judging (seated at a table), being a Table Captain, and volunteering to work the Turn-In-Table, Number Changing area and Leftover area. If you are unable to perform any of these duties, please state so when you apply. Judging assignments and table/seat selection will be made by KCBS' random Chip Draw process at day-of registration.
2026 Dates Shown & Open for Application