The annual edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in 2025.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Team of the Year A2
- The Year in Brief A3
- By Invitation A4
- Firsts & Rookies A5
- The Top Tens B1
- Meat by Meat B2
- Month by Month B3
- The Year Against the Last B4
- Back Issues C1
The 2025 Season in Review
Team of the Year
GETTIN' BASTED Is 2025 Team of the Year
2,826 points to top the KCBS Master Series standings, ahead of ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN.
GETTIN' BASTED finished 2025 as KCBS Master Series Team of the Year on 2,826 points, with ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN second.
Across 2025, 386 sanctioned contests were scored, across 61 states and provinces, drawing 4,255 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 13,487 top-ten calls and handed out 648 perfect 180s. 1,045 teams appear in the record for the first time. The top tens run on B1.
The KCBS points race, exactly as the Society publishes it. The official standings →
Master Series
- 1 GETTIN' BASTED 2,826
- 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN 2,629
- 3 HOT DADDY'S BBQ 2,570
- 4 JANKY LEG BBQ 2,539
- 5 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY 2,532
- 6 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ 2,525
- 7 Meat Candy Q 2,463
- 8 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA 2,440
- 9 HotMess BBQ 2,432
- 10 Poppa Pig 2,424
Backyard Series
- 1 Electro-Que-ted 1,414
- 2 Leaning Jowler BBQ 1,359
- 3 FIRE & SHINE BBQ 1,351
- 4 BBQ MIKE 1,343
- 5 Rudes BBQ 1,332
- 6 Fire Pig 1,331
- 7 NORALA BBQ TEAM 1,328
- 8 Dogpatch Q 1,313
- 8 WEEZ'S GROOVIN' BBQ 1,313
- 10 Too Sauced BBQ 1,310
Category Teams of the Year: Chicken — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork Ribs — GETTIN' BASTED; Pork — GETTIN' BASTED; Brisket — SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ.
By invitation only
Rooters-N-Tooters TN Wins the American Royal Invitational
Best of 158 invited teams, with TRIPLE H BBQ in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.
158 invited teams, one Grand Champion
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Rooters-N-Tooters TN won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest, best of 158 invited teams; TRIPLE H BBQ took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.
Score of the year
B' Mackin BBQ Turns In the Year’s Best Card
718.8572 out of 720 at 21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest — the highest Master overall scored in 2025.
718.8572 Master overall, out of 720
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — B' Mackin BBQ put up 718.8572 at 21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest — the highest overall of the year.
Hottest hand
Nine Grand Championships in 2025 for GETTIN' BASTED
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
9× Grand Championships
GETTIN' BASTED took 9 Grand Championships in 2025.
They will not let it go
Three Straight at Foley BBQ & Blues Cook-Off for Smokey Bees BBQ - MS
Every edition of Foley BBQ & Blues Cook-Off since 2023 has gone the same way.
3 in a row wins at this contest
FOLEY, Ala. — Smokey Bees BBQ - MS won Foley BBQ & Blues Cook-Off (BACKYARD ONLY) again — 3 straight editions of this contest.
First one ever
HICKORY BARBEQUE COMPANY Wins Its First, on the 122nd Try
A first Grand Championship at WV Coalfields Cookoff WV KCBS State Championship, after 122 contests in the record.
122nd contest — and their first GC
WELCH, W.Va. — HICKORY BARBEQUE COMPANY won their first Grand Championship at WV Coalfields Cookoff WV KCBS State Championship, in their 122nd contest in the data.
Upset of the year
The Long Shot Comes In at Kora Kares for Kids
The ratings gave Angry Cock BBQ a 4% chance, with GETTIN' BASTED the team to beat.
4-in-100 shot on pre-contest ratings
HIRAM, Maine — Angry Cock BBQ won Kora Kares for Kids over top-rated GETTIN' BASTED as the ratings underdog.
Also in 2025
Judges Hand Out 648 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 648 perfect 180s were handed out in 2025.
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
JANKY LEG BBQ edged Rusty Pig BBQ by 0.0000 at 43rd Annual Kennett Jaycees BBQ Cook Off.
Sweet Bayou BBQ Back on Top After Eight Years
Sweet Bayou BBQ won VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition — their first Grand Championship since April 2017, after 7 contests without one.
PARTS 'R' SMOKIN Sets the Record at Smoke in the Spring
PARTS 'R' SMOKIN put up 708.6060 at Smoke in the Spring — the best overall in 13 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 707.9772.
Loco Smokers Takes Three of Four Meats at Ibew So Cal BBQ & Chili Cook-Off
Loco Smokers won 3 of 4 meats at IBEW So Cal BBQ & Chili Cook-Off (COMPETITOR SERIES) (chicken, pork ribs and pork), and the Grand Championship with them.
Fire Pig Climbs 156 Rating Points
Fire Pig gained 156 rating points across 17 contests — the biggest climb of the year.
96 Teams Win Their First Grand Championship
96 teams won their first Grand Championship on record in 2025 — the biggest of them Western Midstream Partners at Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off by Daniel Energy Partners (COMPETITOR SERIES), against 98 teams.
JANKY LEG BBQ Collects 13 Perfect 180s
JANKY LEG BBQ turned in 13 perfect 180s in 2025, the most of any team.
201 State Champions Crowned
201 state championships were decided in 2025. The biggest, American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest (401 teams), went to Wag's Backwoods BBQ.
Average Joe BBQ Team Leads the Class of 2025
Average Joe BBQ Team cooked their first contest on record in 2025 and won 2 Grand Championships — the best season of 1,045 new teams.
Nobody Was Steadier Than HOT DADDY'S BBQ
HOT DADDY'S BBQ finished ahead of 90% of the field on average across 19 Master contests in 2025 — the steadiest season of anyone with 10 or more.
Leaning Jowler BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at Catskills Barbeque - Backyard Competition (Day 2)
Leaning Jowler BBQ put up 360.0000 on the Backyard board at Catskills Barbeque - Backyard Competition (Day 2) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ Runs Away With Horse Town Brew n Que Festival
LOOT N' BOOTY BBQ won Horse Town Brew n Que Festival (Day 1) by 16.0456 points over Meat Candy Q — the widest winning margin of the year.
Brisket Was the Hardest Meat of 2025
Brisket was the hardest meat to score in 2025: it averaged 166.40, against 168.80 for chicken.
401 Teams Roll Into Kansas City
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest drew 401 teams, and Wag's Backwoods BBQ won it.
386 Contests, Up 13% on 2024
386 contests were scored in 2025, up from 343 in 2024.
GETTIN' BASTED Cooks Its 450th Contest
GETTIN' BASTED cooked their 450th contest on record at 3rd Annual Roaring Camp BBQ Cook Off (Day 1), with 82 Grand Championships along the way.
It Took 701.68 to Win This Year
A Master Series win took an average of 701.68 in 2025, up 0.85 on 700.83 in 2024.
Nobody Hauled Further Than SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA cooked 49 contests in 2025 — nobody hauled the rig further.
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ Wins American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest Without Winning a Meat
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ won American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contest without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 13th.
A New Contest Opens in Lebanon
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational (Saturday, May 24, 2025) ran for the first time on record, drawing 106 teams, and Meat Me In St. Louis won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
Cook the books Takes Reserve Three Times
Cook the books finished second overall 3 times in 2025 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
Twelve Contests on One Friday
12 sanctioned contests were cooked on 27 Jun alone.
Missouri Hosts 34 Contests, More Than Anywhere
Missouri held 34 contests in 2025, more than anywhere else, with an average field of 26.
September Was the Busiest Month, With 61 Contests
September 2025 was the busiest month of 2025: 61 contests scored and 1,069 teams cooking. Read the September 2025 edition.
Charlie Brinza Works 38 Contests
Charlie Brinza repped 38 contests in 2025 — somebody has to run the table.
Every invitational of 2025. Invite-only fields: their results go into every team’s record, and they don’t move the power rating.
American Royal Invitational
Reserve: TRIPLE H BBQ
American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contest — Nov. 5, Kansas City, Kan.
KCBS World Invitational
Reserve: SmokinGhost BBQ
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational (Saturday, May 24, 2025) — May 24, Lebanon, Tenn.
Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational
Reserve: BOGGS HOG BBQ
Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series) (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY) — Oct. 10, Lynchburg, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
Reserve: ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational (Sunday, May 25, 2025) — May 25, Lebanon, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational Ribs (Friday, May 23, 2025) — May 23, Lebanon, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational Chicken (Friday, May 23, 2025) — May 23, Lebanon, Tenn.
Royal Oak Invitational
Reserve: Meat Candy Q
Royal Oak Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) (PRIVATE EVENT BY INVITATION) — Oct. 16, Roswell, Ga.
Grand American Barbecue World Championship
Reserve: PADDY MCQ'S
Grand American Barbecue World Championship (Invitational) (COMPETITOR SERIES) — Aug. 1, Port Jervis, N.Y.
KCBS World Invitational
Results pending
7th Annual KCBS World Invitational Anything Molasses (Friday, May 23, 2025) — May 23, Lebanon, Tenn.
The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.
First Grand Championships 96 teams won one for the first time on record — the 24 biggest fields shown
- Western Midstream Partners Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off by Daniel Energy Partners (COMPETITOR SERIES)
- Jacob Miller Smoke in the Spring
- Big Johns BBQ Company BBQ Jackpot
- Blake Stocker Minnesota in May
- Bramble BBQ Minnesota in May
- OM BBQ Boo-B-Que BBQ Championship (Day 1)
- SMOKEY GQ Iowa State BBQ Championship
- K-10 BBQ BBQ Gives Back (Day 2) (Masters and Backyard)
- BEER TIME BBQ Grizzly BBQ Brawl
- Angry Cock BBQ Kora Kares for Kids
- Big Bear BBQ 9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam
- Northern Lights Barbecue Company Barbeque on the Bow Festival
- Blended Smoke BBQ Vine St BBQ Competition & Fest (BACKYARD ONLY)
- BBQ MIKE Bring'n Home the Bacon Day 1 (MASTER & BACKYARD)
- Mind if I Smoke? Reelin N Smokin Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY)
- BAR-B-CUDA BBQ Sutherlin Throwdown
- Ashes to Embers BBQ 21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest
- BooyaQ 11th Annual Rockin' BBQ
- GRILL HUB Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship
- HalaQyah BBQ Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival
- Char-Cole Grillers BBQ & Boogie
- E SQUARED BBQ Smokin on the Osage BBQ Contest and Car Show (Day 1)
- Take It Easy BBQ Smoke N for the Kids
- Pop's Little Helper The Real Squeal BBQ & Music Festival
The Rookie Class Teams whose first contest on record came in 2025 — 1,045 of them
- 2 GCs Average Joe BBQ Team 6 contests · best 701.73
- 2 GCs When Pigs Fly Family BBQ 4 contests
- 1 GC Blended Smoke BBQ 13 contests
- 1 GC HORMONAL ESCAPE COMPETITION BBQ 11 contests
- 1 GC SASSY SMOKE BBQ 10 contests
- 1 GC Briskey Business BBQ 7 contests
- 1 GC B.R.A. BARBECUE TEAM 6 contests · best 706.26
- 1 GC Fire Family BBQ PTY 4 contests · best 681.75
- 1 GC JaBs 4 contests · best 709.14
- 1 GC Karnivor Creations BBQ 4 contests · best 649.59
- 1 GC Brews and Ques BBQ 2 contests · best 649.60
- 1 GC Ashes to Embers BBQ 1 contest
24 standings from the 2025 season. Grand Championships count once per contest; overall scores are ranked only against their own board’s scale.
Highest Scores
Master overall, out of 720
- 1 B' Mackin BBQ21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest 718.8572
- 2 Bad Dog BBQDowntown Jonesboro BBQ Festival 717.7028
- 3 Glamping GrillersKickin' It Route 66 Barbecue Challenge (Day 1) 715.4288
- 4 Poppa PigLakeland Pig Festival 714.2744
- 5 FOOD'VENTURE GRILL & BBQTransylvanian Grill & BBQ Camp 714.2628
- 6 Poppa Pig21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest 714.2628
- 7 JANKY LEG BBQTrekking for CDH 714.2628
- 8 Burnin and Lootin21st Annual Burnt Offerings BBQ Contest 713.1316
- 9 Tillman's BBQPlant City Pig Jam 713.1316
- 10 Burnin and LootinPitmaster's NorUt KCBS BBQ Championship 712.5716
Most Grand Championships
Contests won, counted once per contest
- 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests · 32 top tens 9
- 2 Leaning Jowler BBQ32 contests · 21 top tens 7
- 3 Electro-Que-ted34 contests · 20 top tens 7
- 4 FIRE & SHINE BBQ34 contests · 20 top tens 7
- 5 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY30 contests · 16 top tens 6
- 6 SMELLAQUE13 contests · 13 top tens 5
- 7 Too Sauced BBQ17 contests · 15 top tens 5
- 8 Fire Pig20 contests · 14 top tens 5
- 9 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ25 contests · 18 top tens 5
- 10 Dogpatch Q30 contests · 16 top tens 5
Most Reserve Championships
Second overall
- 1 Meat Candy Q2 GCs · 26 contests 6
- 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN4 GCs · 32 contests 6
- 3 The Antwerp Smokers1 GC · 14 contests 5
- 4 HOT DADDY'S BBQ3 GCs · 24 contests 5
- 5 Rough Cut Q1 GC · 31 contests 5
- 6 GETTIN' BASTED9 GCs · 48 contests 5
- 7 TRIPLE H BBQ3 GCs · 19 contests 4
- 8 HotMess BBQ2 GCs · 20 contests 4
- 9 SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS2 GCs · 21 contests 4
- 10 Woodquarter Smokerheads1 GC · 22 contests 4
Most Top-Ten Finishes
Top ten overall
- 1 GETTIN' BASTEDof 48 contests 32
- 2 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TNof 32 contests 28
- 3 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MAof 49 contests 23
- 4 Leaning Jowler BBQof 32 contests 21
- 5 Shiggin aint easyof 34 contests 21
- 6 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pitof 36 contests 21
- 7 Can Country Outlaw BBQof 32 contests 20
- 8 Electro-Que-tedof 34 contests 20
- 9 FIRE & SHINE BBQof 34 contests 20
- 10 JANKY LEG BBQof 34 contests 20
Most Calls
Top-ten finishes in the four meats
- 1 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 106
- 2 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA49 contests 92
- 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests 83
- 4 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit36 contests 73
- 5 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ37 contests 69
- 6 Shiggin aint easy34 contests 68
- 7 Poppa Pig28 contests 65
- 8 JANKY LEG BBQ34 contests 62
- 9 BrewsCue40 contests 62
- 10 MAN MEAT BBQ39 contests 61
Most Category Wins
First place in a meat
- 1 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ25 contests 13
- 2 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY30 contests 13
- 3 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 13
- 4 Leaning Jowler BBQ32 contests 12
- 5 JANKY LEG BBQ34 contests 12
- 6 Electro-Que-ted34 contests 11
- 7 FIRE & SHINE BBQ34 contests 11
- 8 Shiggin aint easy34 contests 11
- 9 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA49 contests 11
- 10 The BBQ Ranch24 contests 10
Most Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a nine
- 1 JANKY LEG BBQ34 contests 13
- 2 Damn Fine Beef & Swine28 contests 11
- 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN32 contests 10
- 4 SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS21 contests 8
- 5 BOGGS HOG BBQ15 contests 7
- 6 Kermit's Ex21 contests 7
- 7 Poppa Pig28 contests 7
- 8 Can Country Outlaw BBQ32 contests 7
- 9 Glamping Grillers32 contests 7
- 10 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 7
Best Average Score
Master overall, 8+ contests
- 1 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN29 contests 699.47
- 2 SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS14 contests 699.37
- 3 TRIPLE H BBQ18 contests 699.24
- 4 Poppa Pig26 contests 698.14
- 5 Burnin and Lootin8 contests 697.80
- 6 GETTIN' BASTED37 contests 697.37
- 7 Damn Fine Beef & Swine24 contests 697.03
- 8 SLAPS BBQ13 contests 696.86
- 9 Kings BBQ Team14 contests 696.84
- 10 Squealin N Dealin BBQ19 contests 696.82
Most Consistent
Share of the field beaten, 10+ contests
- 1 HOT DADDY'S BBQ19 contests 90%
- 2 SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS14 contests 90%
- 3 ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN29 contests 89%
- 4 GETTIN' BASTED37 contests 89%
- 5 SMELLAQUE12 contests 89%
- 6 BBQ+10 contests 88%
- 7 Kings BBQ Team14 contests 87%
- 8 Q Cartel11 contests 87%
- 9 The Antwerp Smokers12 contests 86%
- 10 BOGGS HOG BBQ12 contests 86%
Most Contests Cooked
Contests entered
- 1 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA3 GCs · 15 states 49
- 2 GETTIN' BASTED9 GCs · 21 states 48
- 3 Take It Easy BBQ2 GCs · 8 states 40
- 4 BrewsCue1 GC · 15 states 40
- 5 Buckeye Blue Smoke BBQ1 GC · 10 states 39
- 6 MAN MEAT BBQ1 GC · 10 states 39
- 7 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQ1 GC · 10 states 37
- 8 LEE LA Q3 GCs · 6 states 36
- 9 Uncle Pig's Barbeque Pit3 GCs · 9 states 36
- 10 House of Que1 GC · 12 states 35
Most States Cooked In
States and provinces
- 1 Bourbon & Blues BBQ33 contests 22
- 2 GETTIN' BASTED48 contests 21
- 3 Shiggin aint easy34 contests 18
- 4 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA49 contests 15
- 5 BrewsCue40 contests 15
- 6 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ32 contests 15
- 7 GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQ33 contests 14
- 8 Poppa Pig28 contests 14
- 9 PARROTHEAD SMOKERS20 contests 14
- 10 LC BBQ17 contests 13
Biggest Rating Climbs
Power rating gained over the season
- 1 Fire Pig17 rated contests · now #640 +156
- 2 FIRE & SHINE BBQ25 rated contests · now #176 +144
- 3 Take It Easy BBQ25 rated contests · now #732 +140
- 4 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQ22 rated contests · now #80 +133
- 5 Rollin Smoke BBQ25 rated contests · now #164 +125
- 6 HalaQyah BBQ16 rated contests · now #882 +124
- 7 Bramble BBQ15 rated contests · now #312 +115
- 8 Say My Name BBQ14 rated contests · now #675 +108
- 9 The Antwerp Smokers12 rated contests · now #317 +107
- 10 Rudes BBQ22 rated contests · now #146 +106
Best Rookie Seasons
First contest on record this season
- 1 Average Joe BBQ Team6 contests · best 701.73 2 GCs
- 2 When Pigs Fly Family BBQ4 contests 2 GCs
- 3 Blended Smoke BBQ13 contests 1 GC
- 4 HORMONAL ESCAPE COMPETITION BBQ11 contests 1 GC
- 5 SASSY SMOKE BBQ10 contests 1 GC
- 6 Briskey Business BBQ7 contests 1 GC
- 7 B.R.A. BARBECUE TEAM6 contests · best 706.26 1 GC
- 8 Fire Family BBQ PTY4 contests · best 681.75 1 GC
- 9 JaBs4 contests · best 709.14 1 GC
- 10 Karnivor Creations BBQ4 contests · best 649.59 1 GC
Best Chicken
Out of 180
- 1 Smoke Central BBQ9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam 180.0000
- 2 Dogpatch Q9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam 180.0000
- 3 Damn Fine Beef & SwineSJV Winter Rub 180.0000
- 4 Poppa PigLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 5 Uncle Pig's Barbeque PitLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 6 JANKY LEG BBQGrills Gone Wild 180.0000
- 7 Accutech BBQRibs on the Ridge 180.0000
- 8 Dogpatch QRibs on the Ridge 180.0000
- 9 Sloppy HogsRibs on the Ridge 180.0000
- 10 Electro-Que-tedSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
Best Pork Ribs
Out of 180
- 1 Stewey Magoos BBQ9th Annual Jimmy Jam BBQ Slam 180.0000
- 2 SmokinGhost BBQSJV Winter Rub 180.0000
- 3 ELITE BBQ SMOKERSLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 4 STEVO'S BBQ TEAMBest in the Southwest 180.0000
- 5 The BBQ RanchVienna Pet Fair BBQ 180.0000
- 6 JANKY LEG BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 7 RUNNING STYLE BBQ - GASip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 8 Smokey Bees BBQ - MSFoley BBQ & Blues Cook-Off (BACKYARD ONLY) 180.0000
- 9 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQSmoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
- 10 BAD ROOSTER BBQSmoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
Best Pork
Out of 180
- 1 POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP10th Annual Slab-O-Rama Barbeque Challenge 180.0000
- 2 Cherry Anchor BBQThe Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) 180.0000
- 3 BULL MARKET BBQThe Golden State Battle VII (Day 1) 180.0000
- 4 GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 5 Going Yard BBQRibs on the Ridge 180.0000
- 6 Meat Candy QBest in the Southwest 180.0000
- 7 BROTHER IN LAW BBQ TEAM - NCMission Farms - King of the Farm 180.0000
- 8 HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 9 Organizer PortalSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 10 JANKY LEG BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
Best Brisket
Out of 180
- 1 PeachCoast BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 2 Barely Sober BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 3 When Pigs Fly Family BBQLakeland Pig Festival 180.0000
- 4 Menke Boys BBQRibs on the Ridge 180.0000
- 5 B' Mackin BBQBest in the Southwest 180.0000
- 6 TRIPLE H BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 7 COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQSip & Swine BBQ Festival 180.0000
- 8 THE BBQ BUSSmoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
- 9 QUE USmoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
- 10 RUB MY RACKSmoke on the Shores BBQ Championship 180.0000
Best Backyard Scores
Backyard overall, out of 360
- 1 Leaning Jowler BBQCatskills Barbeque - Backyard Competition (Day 2) 360.0000
- 2 Dogpatch QHigh on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) 358.8572
- 3 Mind if I Smoke?Reelin N Smokin Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY) 358.8572
- 4 Electro-Que-tedBig Creek BBQ Bash (BACKYARD ONLY) 358.8572
- 5 Smokey Bees BBQ - MSFoley BBQ & Blues Cook-Off (BACKYARD ONLY) 358.8572
- 6 NORALA BBQ TEAMO'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) Day 2 358.8572
- 7 Char-Cole GrillersBBQ & Boogie 358.2972
- 8 Electro-Que-ted7th Annual KCBS World Invitational (Sunday, May 25, 2025) 357.7144
- 9 Electro-Que-tedUp in Smoke on the Square (BACKYARD ONLY) 357.7144
- 10 Big James KitchenSmoke on the Water Guntersville (BACKYARD ONLY) 357.7144
Biggest Fields
Teams at one contest
- 1 American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Open Contestwon by Wag's Backwoods BBQ 401
- 2 The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championshipwon by Slaps BBQ 159
- 3 American Royal World Series of Barbecue - Invitational Contestwon by Rooters-N-Tooters TN 158
- 4 7th Annual KCBS World Invitational (Saturday, May 24, 2025)won by Meat Me In St. Louis 106
- 5 Smoke on the Shores BBQ Championshipwon by Triple H BBQ 100
- 6 Permian Basin Barbeque Cook-off by Daniel Energy Partners (COMPETITOR SERIES)won by Western Midstream Partners 98
- 7 Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Classic Cookoffwon by Rio Valley Meat BBQ 92
- 8 Smoke in the Springwon by Parts 'R' Smokin 92
- 9 Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (Competitor's Series) (JUDGES BY INVITATION ONLY)won by Kings BBQ Team 90
- 10 BBQ Jackpotwon by Big Johns BBQ Company 90
Closest Finishes
Points between first and second
- 1 WOLF'S REVENGE BBQover SMOKIN SKULLIES · Smokin' in the Pines 0.0004
- 2 HOT DADDY'S BBQover RUM N' SMOKE BBQ · SD BBQ Shootout @ Huset's Speedway 0.0112
- 3 SLAPS BBQover Squealin N Dealin BBQ · The Great Lenexa BBQ Battle - Kansas State Championship 0.0112
- 4 QUE Uover THE BBQ BUS · Rollin Smoke at Rustic Timbers BBQ Bash 0.0112
- 5 Smoked & Furiousover LC BBQ · Last Frontier BBQ Throwdown 0.0116
- 6 SMOKIN' VOLTS BBQover Cynical BBQ · Curley Que Classic 0.0116
- 7 MUTTLEY CREW BBQover Optimus Swine · Stoney Creek BBQ Cookoff 0.0228
- 8 Smokin' Bliss BBQover Cynical BBQ · Gold Country Casino Resort BrewFest & State BBQ Championship 0.0344
- 9 Angry Cock BBQover CANYON RIDERS BBQ · Kora Kares for Kids 0.0344
- 10 Ash Kickin' BBQover Phoenix BBQ · Minnesota in May 0.5140
Biggest Winning Margins
Points clear of second
- 1 GOOD GOOGLY GOO BBQover Cook the books · The Great Atlantic BBQ Competition 24.10
- 2 The Antwerp Smokersover The BBQ Ranch · Riverland Smokers BBQ Contest 2025 (Day 1) 18.35
- 3 The BBQ Ranchover Woodquarter Smokerheads · Vienna Pet Fair BBQ 17.71
- 4 LOOT N' BOOTY BBQover Meat Candy Q · Horse Town Brew n Que Festival (Day 1) 16.05
- 5 GETTIN' BASTEDover SHIGGIN & GRINNIN · Brighton Barbeque Bash 14.86
Biggest Upsets
The winner’s chance on pre-contest ratings
- 1 Angry Cock BBQKora Kares for Kids 4%
- 2 Cuatro D BarbequeThe All American Comeback BBQ, Bourbon, & Bands 5%
- 3 BREWS BEFORE Q'SRock Lane Presents Grills Gone Wild 7%
- 4 HOLLOW QUniversity of Arkansas Animal Science Boots, Brews, and BBQ Contest 8%
- 5 JaBsSmoke on the Ohio 8%
- 6 Bad Bears BBQThe Santiam Smoke Show (Day 1) 8%
- 7 ALPINE SMOKE WORKSBig BBQ Bash 8%
- 8 Rack Shack bbqIowa State BBQ Championship 9%
- 9 Big Johns BBQ CompanyBBQ Jackpot 10%
- 10 HalaQyah BBQBloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival 10%
Busiest Reps
Contests worked
- 1 Jeanne Titus 37
- 2 Charlie Brinza 36
- 3 Carol Bigler 27
- 4 Randy G Bigler 27
- 5 Dave Rogers 26
- 6 Eugene Wickham 22
- 7 Peg Rogers 22
- 8 Sarah Wickham 22
- 9 Bill Jones 20
- 10 Bill Wright 18
Busiest States
Contests held · average field
How each meat scored across the season, both series, out of 180.
| Meat | Average | Avg. winner | 180s | Best of the year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken | 168.80 | 178.35 | 224 | Smoke Central BBQ 180 |
| Pork Ribs | 167.51 | 177.66 | 131 | Stewey Magoos BBQ 180 |
| Pork | 168.42 | 178.47 | 168 | POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP 180 |
| Brisket | 166.40 | 178.03 | 125 | PeachCoast BBQ 180 |
Every month of the season. Each has an edition of its own, with every Grand Champion named.
| Month | Contests | Top score | 180s |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | 714.2744 Poppa Pig | 15 |
| February | 5 | 704.5372 FRED VEGAS SMOKERS | 10 |
| March | 27 | 715.4288 Glamping Grillers | 67 |
| April | 25 | 709.6916 BOGGS HOG BBQ | 28 |
| May | 58 | 714.2628 FOOD'VENTURE GRILL & BBQ | 92 |
| June | 57 | 712.5716 Burnin and Lootin | 77 |
| July | 35 | 711.9772 TRIPLE H BBQ | 61 |
| August | 50 | 712 73-BBQ | 67 |
| September | 61 | 718.8572 B' Mackin BBQ | 84 |
| October | 48 | 712.5484 Kermit's Ex | 85 |
| November | 11 | 713.1316 Tillman's BBQ | 59 |
| December | 1 | 709.6800 BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 3 |
2025 set against 2024.
| Measure | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contests scored | 386 | 343 | ▲ 43 (13%) |
| Teams competing | 4,255 | 4,370 | ▼ 115 (-3%) |
| Team entries | 10,642 | 10,672 | ▼ 30 (0%) |
| Different Grand Champions | 229 | 219 | ▲ 10 (5%) |
| Average field | 28.0 | 30.1 | ▼ 2.1 (-7%) |
| Biggest field | 401 | 444 | ▼ 43 (-10%) |
| Average winning score | 701.68 | 700.83 | ▲ 0.85 |
| Top score | 718.8572 | 714.8572 | ▲ 4.0000 |
| Perfect 180s | 648 | 587 | ▲ 61 (10%) |
Notes on the Season from the 2025 season page
- Jan 9 → Dec 12 Season ran first and last contest on the 2025 calendar
- 3.97 Average winning margin across 254 Master contests · 6 settled by tiebreaker
- 13,487 Walks to the stage top-ten calls handed out in the four meats
- 1,045 New teams first tracked contest anywhere was in 2025
- 340 Contest series distinct recurring contests on the calendar
- 13 contests Busiest weekend all on Jun 27, 2025
- 98 Reps working KCBS reps on the season’s contests
- Brisket Toughest table lowest average of the four meats at 166.4
- 17 Outside the rating invitationals and non-points contests that do not move a power rating
- 38 Cancelled contests that came off the calendar
- 54 Results still out of 440 contests on the 2025 calendar
Every season in review, and every month with scored results, back to the start of the record. ← 2024 in review 2026 in review → Latest edition
Seasons in review: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013 · 2012