ABOUT the Grand Am World Championship

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:

1. 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.

2. Scored 700+ in any KCBS contest held between April 1, 2025, and July 31, 2027.

3. 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.

discount opportunities

Teams can reduce their Grand Am entry fees by participating in public BBQ Experiences. These Experiences offer unique opportunities for Festival-goers to connect with barbecue teams and learn more about the sport. Our goal is to generate interest for more teams and judges.

1. BBQ Cooking Demos [LIMIT: 8 teams] — Saturday, September 18, 11:30am - 2:00pm — $100 discount off Sunday Open entry fee: Teams can choose to host a cooking demo followed by sampling, which may include turn-in “leftovers”. The team site would be placed closer to the main festival space. We will take a maximum of 8 teams to conduct smoking or grilling demos for chicken (thighs, drums, wings), ribs, pork butt, brisket, steaks, etc. We hope to get meat donations but may lean on the team to provide the product.

2. Honorary BBQ Team Member — Sunday, September 19, 4:00am - 5:00pm — $50 discount off Sunday Open entry fee PLUS (6) drink coupons from the bar: Teams are asked to allow a maximum number of (2) public VIP attendees to join their team for a day. These individuals will get a first-hand look at what it takes to produce championship barbecue by joining teams at 4:00am Sunday morning and supporting them as they prepare their contest entries. Tasks may include mixing and tasting ingredients, cutting, cleaning, lifting boxes/meat/supplies, fire management, changing the music, gofer, and even running boxes to the turn-in location. Afterward, these VIPs are asked to stick around and walk with their team if they get a call from the Main Stage.

TEAM REGISTRATION INFORMATION

• Standard KCBS rules apply.

• Space and activities within team space at the barbecue contest is at the team’s discretion/responsibility to plan, manage, clean, etc. within the scope of the event guidelines.

• Either a deposit or payment in full is required to hold team space, which will be assigned on a first-come basis in closest proximity to the turn-in location, or toward dedicated RV space requests.

• As part of their entry fee, all teams will be provided the following:

  • Either a 20’ x 30’ or 20’ x 40’ grass space; sites include both back-in and pull-through options

  • (1) 20-amp (household) electrical drop

  • Water availability from central locations

  • Trash pick-up service

  • Physical restrooms including shower stalls

  • Dump station

  • Ability to sell any pre-packaged product or merchandise without requiring a state or local tax permit — this includes sauces, rubs, shirts, hats, etc. but does NOT include any cooked meats or food prepared on-site

  • Ability for team’s sponsor(s) to receive discounted vendor entry, or opportunity to donate product for online and on-site giveaways

  • $5 beers from on-site bar with Team lanyard

  • Setup starting from 2:00pm Thursday, September 16, 2027, through 11:00pm Saturday, September 18, 2027

  • Teardown beginning after awards on Sunday, September 19, 2027, through 10:00am Monday, September 20. Please let us know if you desire to stay overnight on Sunday. Leave the space as it was on arrival.

• Teams can choose the following upgrades for an additional fee:

  • 50-amp RV Site with dedicated water and sewer — $175 — SITES ARE LIMITED BY NUMBER AND LENGTH!!

  • 30-amp RV Site with dedicated water — $125 — SITES ARE LIMITED BY NUMBER AND LENGTH!!

  • 30-amp upgrade — $100

  • Individual Porta Potty on their site — $225

  • Friday Night 1-Meat contests for Chicken and Ribs — $125 each OR $230 for both

  • Ancillary Categories for Made With Maple (SAT), Cocktail (SAT) and Category TBA (SUN) — $50 each

  • Wild Child Entry for both Saturday and Sunday - $20 per day — The Wild Child started as a Northeast tradition, where teams put $20 into the Wild Child pot, and one of the four meats is randomly chosen either at that morning’s 9:22 shot or right before awards are announced. Whichever teams scores 11th place in that meat gets the whole Wild Child pot.

  • Ice — available on-site for purchase

• All team equipment and vehicles must fit completely within their allocated space. Contact us for pricing on additional space.

• Teams may bring their own generators.

• All teams are required to bring at least 50ft in extension cords, 100ft for hoses plus a Y-valve, and a fire extinguisher.

• Trash dumpsters will be available and teams are welcome to haul their own trash to these dumpsters.

BASIC INFORMATION:

• DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT: The Grand Am cannot hold space for ANY team without the required nonrefundable deposit or payment in full. Payment is due within 7 days of the team’s application to hold space. The remainder of fees must be paid in full after August 15, 2027, via a separate invoice or Venmo.

• TEAM CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds are available for cancellations made by August 15, 2027.

• DEADLINES: Registration continues through September 1, 2027, and space will be assigned on a first-come basis. Teams applying for the Saturday Invitational must list the contest and date of their qualifying event.

• CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY: The Grand Am provides an experience that should be safe and free from threatening and intimidating conduct, including aggressive behavior, bullying, or loud and obnoxious vocalizing. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy toward any team whose members exhibit violence or threats of violence of any form; those teams will be asked to leave immediately without refund and will not be invited to return. Please respect our host location and your fellow teams.

• ANCILLARY CATEGORY: Teams must provide all supplies for Ancillary Categories unless noted otherwise.

  • Made With Maple — This ancillary category will feature any entry prepared on site that features maple as a primary flavor. Entries can be savory or sweet. Teams must turn in at least 6 individual pieces. Teams can either use the regular 9”x9” turn-in box or a 12”x18” tray (ask for a sticker from the reps). Our Maple Sponsor Corey’s Sugar Shack will be available to purchase product on-site.

  • Cocktail — This ancillary category will feature any cocktails prepared on site that are either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Entries must be in the form of a long or short drink (not a shot) and should be a minimum of 120ml (4oz) liquid volume. Drinks must contain at least three and no more than seven ingredients, including alcohol, fruit juices, syrups, drops or dashes. Solid garnishes are not considered ingredients. Garnishes must be edible but may be mounted on sticks, skewers, straws, forks or other such common bar accessories. Use of edible fruits, herbs, leaves and spices may include sprigs, peels, barks, fruit shells etc. Any flowers and petals used must be of an edible variety. Due to safety concerns, the use of fire and flames is prohibited. Entries will be scored on Appearance/Creativity, Texture/Mouthfeel and Taste, with Taste the greatest factor. Teams will receive an index card to write the cocktail’s name (be creative) and primary ingredients. Teams must turn in at least 6 individual samples on a 12”x18” tray (ask for a sticker from the reps).

  • Category TBA —

• PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINGS CONTEST [LIMIT: 10 teams] — Saturday, September 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm — $1,000 cash prize plus trophy, winner take all: Teams will be provided 200 chicken wings plus (2) separate spices provided by sponsors; each spice must be used for a specific round. At 6:00pm Saturday, teams will submit the First Round of (10) boxes of 10 wings each for Spice #1, which will be judged by public attendees in a blind taste test; entries will be judged solely on overall taste — not appearance — on a 1 to 10 scale. At 6:30pm, teams will submit their Second Round of (10) boxes of 10 wings each for Spice #2. Scores from all attendees will be totaled over both rounds; in case of a tie, winners will split prize equally and a coin flip will determine trophy recipient. Festival will cover sampling cost and paperwork with county health department. Winner will be announced at Sunday Awards.

• MEMPHIS IN MAY PARTNERSHIP: In partnership between the Grand Am Invitational and Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Grand Champion of either event will win a guaranteed entry into the other contest plus $250 off their team entry fee. Plus, all teams who compete in either event will automatically get $100 off team entry into the other contest. (Teams may only utilize one discount offer per year.)

EXPECTED SCHEDULE:

• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2027

  • 2:00pm - 8:00pm — Festival grounds open to all teams for load-in and setup

  • 11:00pm — QUIET TIME

• FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2027 — 4:00pm - 7:00pm — FESTIVAL HOURS

  • 7:00am - 4:00pm — Festival grounds open to all teams for load-in and setup

  • 11:00am — Meat inspections start for SAT

  • 4:30pm — Cook’s Meeting [PAVILION]

  • 6:00pm — 1-Meat Chicken turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 6:30pm — 1-Meat Ribs turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 7:30pm — 1-Meat Awards [MAIN STAGE]

  • 11:00pm — QUIET TIME

• SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2027 — 11:00am - 7:00pm — FESTIVAL HOURS

  • 8:00am — Meat inspections start for SUN

  • 12:00pm — Chicken turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 12:30pm — Pork Ribs turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 1:00pm — Pork turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 1:30pm — Brisket turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 2:00pm — Made With Maple turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 2:30pm — Cocktail turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 4:30pm — BBQ World Championship Contest Awards [MAIN STAGE]

  • 6:00pm — People’s Choice Wings Contest — Round 1 turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 6:30pm — People’s Choice Wings Contest — Round 2 turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 11:00pm — QUIET TIME

• SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2027 — 11:00am - 5:00pm — FESTIVAL HOURS

  • 4:00am — Arrival of Honorary Team Members

  • 12:00pm — Chicken turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 12:30pm — Pork Ribs turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 1:00pm — Pork turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 1:30pm — Brisket turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 2:00pm — CATEGORY TBA turn-in [PAVILION]

  • 4:30pm — BBQ NY State Championship Contest Awards [MAIN STAGE]

  • 5:30pm — TEAR-DOWN & DEPARTURE

• MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2027

  • 10:00pm — Festival grounds must be departed by all teams

Site Add-ONS

• The following items can be purchased through the Grand Am Registration links below and must be noted on the online application at check-out.

  • 50 amp RV Site with dedicated water and sewer — $175

  • 30 amp RV Site with dedicated water — $125

  • 30 amp upgrade — $100

  • Individual Porta Potty on team site — $225

  • Friday night 1-Meat contests for Chicken and Ribs — $125 each / $230 for both

  • Ancillary Categories for Made With Maple (SAT), Cocktail (SAT) and CATEGORY TBA (SUN) — $50 each

  • Wild Child Entry for Saturday and Sunday - $20 per day

  • Ice will be available on-site for purchase

gRAND aM Merch

Get your official Grand Am merchandise only available online.

PARTNERS & SPONSORS