Grand American barbecue World Championship (MASTERS invitational, masters open, Chicken/Ribs 1-Meat, Made With Maple, Cocktail, TBA)
— 1 world championship —
— SEPTEMBER 17-19, 2027 —
Ulster County Fairgrounds, New Paltz NY
KCBS 4-Meat Masters Invitational, September 18 (SAT) — Open to qualifying teams
KCBS 4-Meat Masters Open, September 19 (SUN) — Open to any team — this is a qualifying New York State Championship
KCBS 1- Meat Master of Chicken and Ribs Contests, September 17 (FRI) — ENTRY FEE: $125 for one or $230 for both (category TOY points)
TEAMS & JUDGES APPLY ONLINE AT GRANDAMBBQ.COM
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 September 17-19, 2027, right in the heart of fall foliage season! The Saturday Invitational contest will have a payout of $35,000 and the Sunday Open contest will have a $15,000 payout, plus an additional $5,000 toward ancillary categories.
Meat Categories: Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork (Shoulder or Boston Butt), Beef Brisket
Ancillary Categories: Made With Maple (SAT), Cocktail (SAT), Category TBA (SUN)
Team Capacity: 80 teams
Note: Team packets and site assignments will be provided no later than August 15, 2027
Lodging and Camping suggestions can be found here: Where to stay
Grand Am SATURDAY Invitational — $35,000 Purse
Saturday, September 18, 2027
To qualify for participation in the 2027 Grand Am Invitational, teams must present one of the following:
Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion of any sanctioned qualifier 3-Meat or 4-Meat contest held between April 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
Scored 700+ in any KCBS contest held between April 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.
Current / former Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion or 1st Place Meat Category winner from any of the following World Championship events: The Jack, American Royal, Memphis In May, Houston Rodeo, KCBS Invitational, and The Grand Am.
Teams competing in the Saturday Invitational Competition must also compete in the Sunday Open Competition, which is a New York State Championship. Registration closes on September 1, 2027, 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 their qualifying contest and date.
Fees: $1,250 entry for BOTH daily contests — $900 Sat + $350 Sun. A $300 non-refundable deposit is required to hold the team’s entry.
Prize Purse — Invitational: $35,000
Overall — paying out to 5th place: $7,000 GC / $3,500 RGC / $2,000 3rd Overall / $1,500 4th Overall / $1,000 5th Overall
Individual Categories — paying out to 10th place: 1st: $1,250 / 2nd: $1,000 / 3rd: $750 / 4th: $500 / 5th: $375 / 6th: $325 / 7th: $275 / 8th: $225 / 9th: $175 / 10th: $125
GRAND AM SUNDAY OPEN — $15,000 PURSE
Sunday, September 19, 2027
The Grand Am Open Competition is available to any team who wants to compete in a New York State Championship (expected to be an Automatic Jack draw). No qualification is required to join. Registration closes on September 1, 2027.
Fees: $350 entry (discounts available). A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to hold the team’s entry.
Prize Purse — Open: $15,000
Overall — paying out to 5th place: $2,000 GC / $1,700 RGC / $1,400 3rd Overall / $1,200 4th Overall / $1,100 5th Overall
Individual Categories — paying out to 10th place: 1st: $350 / 2nd: $300 / 3rd: $250 / 4th: $200 / 5th: $180 / 6th: $160 / 7th: $140 / 8th: $120 / 9th: $100 / 10th: $100
Invitational Wild Card Entry - $100 entry fee
The Grand Am will conduct a Wild Card drawing open to any team who wishes to compete in the Saturday Invitational, but has not qualified under the above terms. The Wild Card drawing requires an additional $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 August 1, 2027, and all Wild Card entrants will be notified on their selection.
Fees: $100 non-refundable entry fee to participate. If selected, the Wild Card team must pay the full $1,250 entry for BOTH contests.