Grand American barbecue World Championship (MASTERS invitational, masters open)
— 1 world championship —
— 1 national qualifier —
August 1-3, 2025
New Century Film, Port Jervis NY
KCBS Masters Invitational, August 2 (SAT) — Open to Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion teams of KCBS Masters contests between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025
KCBS Masters Open, August 3 (SUN) — Open to any Masters team — this is a qualifying New York State Championship
TEAMS & JUDGES APPLY ONLINE AT GRANDAMBBQ.COM
The Grand American Barbecue World Championship (the “Grand Am”) is a 2-day BBQ festival consisting of an Invitational and Open Competition for Masters (4-meat) teams, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). The Grand Am takes place at New Century Film located in Port Jervis, New York, on August 2-3, 2025. The Saturday Invitational will have a payout of $50,000 and the Sunday Open will have a $15,000 payout.
Grand Am Meat Categories: Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork (Shoulder or Boston Butt), Beef Brisket
Grand Am Team Capacity: 100 Masters teams
Note: Team packets and site assignments will be provided no later than July 1, 2025
Grand Am Invitational — $50,000 purse
Saturday, August 2, 2025
The qualifying period for the 2025 Invitational Contest is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2025. Any team throughout the world that has won a Masters Grand Championship (GC) or Reserve Grand Championship (RGC) from a KCBS qualifying state championship contest during the qualifying period is eligible and may register to join. Teams selected to compete in the Saturday Invitational Competition must also compete in the Sunday Open Competition, which is a New York State Championship. Registration closes on May 31, 2025, and space will be assigned on a first-come basis — the sooner teams register and pay, the closer their site will be to the turn-in location. Teams will be required to list the contest and date of their GC or RGC.
Fees: $1,250 entry for BOTH Saturday and Sunday contests ($1,050 if participating in VIP offerings). A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold the team’s entry.
Grand Am opeN — $15,000 purse
Sunday, August 3, 2025
The Grand Am Open Competition is available to any Masters team who wants to compete in a qualifying New York State Championship, which will be a 50/50 draw for the Jack. No qualification is required to join. Registration closes on May 31, 2025. Note: Space is limited for the Open Competition.
Fees: $350 entry ($300 if participating in Sunday VIP offering). A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to hold the team’s entry.
Invitational Wild Card Entry — $100 entry fee
The Grand Am will conduct a Wild Card drawing open to any team, with five (5) teams selected randomly to participate in the Grand Am Invitational. The Wild Card drawing requires a $100 non-refundable entry fee to participate. Please read the Team Packet for the complete set of rules regarding the Invitational Competition. The drawing will take place on Monday, June 2, 2025, and all Wild Card entrants will be notified on the selections.
Fees: $100 non-refundable entry fee to participate. If selected, the Wild Card team must pay an additional $1,150 entry ($950 if participating in VIP offerings), or a $200 non-refundable deposit to hold the team’s entry upon notification of selection.