In this edition
Every sanctioned contest scored in May 2026.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- Grand Champions A2
- The Month in Brief A3
- By Invitation A4
- Perfect Scores A5
- Ratings Market A6
- The Backyard A7
- New to the Circuit A8
- Box Scores B1
- Complete Results B4
- Back Issues C4
By invitation only
Kings BBQ Team Wins the KCBS World Invitational
Best of 117 invited teams, with SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS in reserve — a win for the record book that leaves the power rating alone.
LEBANON, Tenn. — Kings BBQ Team won 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026), best of 117 invited teams; SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS took reserve. An invite-only field, so it leaves the power rating alone and goes straight into the record book.
Across May 2026, 65 sanctioned contests were scored, across 26 states and provinces, drawing 1,027 teams to the turn-in table. Judges made 1,886 top-ten calls and handed out 118 perfect 180s. 210 teams appear in the record for the first time. The full standings run on B1.
Every Grand Championship in this edition — 64 in all. The 28 oldest are listed under Complete Results, B4.
- Q CARTEL Small Town Smoke Down
- Dang Good BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest
- Dawgs BBQ Spring into Summer Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mean Moe's BBQ La Classique - L'Entrepot de Viandes
- ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Honeybee BBQ Competition
- WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026)
- Kings BBQ Team 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026)
- Bone Rubbin BBQ BBQ, Blues & Brews on the Bay
- Big Johns BBQ Company Best Dam BBQ
- SMELLAQUE Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship
- Mean Moe's BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- HOGPARTS SCHOOL OF SMOKECRAFT BREW'ERY Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- SMOKIN' OUTLAWS Embers and Ice Pitmaster Championship (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Keij Smokin' Hot Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition
- SOUTH BRIXIA BBQ Knife Clash (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- SOUTH BRIXIA BBQ Knife Clash (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Skinny Beans BBQ team BBQ Knife Clash
- K & E's Little Smokers 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Rib Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026)
- HOOS SMOKIN 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Chicken Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026)
- HotMess BBQ Big Knob BBQ & Cash Fest
- Click & Q Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition
- Brookside BBQ Mass in May (Day 2)
- Humphrey's BBQ Mass in May (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- Paddy McQ's Mass in May (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- The Fat is Where It's At Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2)
- Scuffletown Smokers Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana
- Sailor Nicks BBQ Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT RIBS)
- Glamping Grillers Bloomin' BBQ Music & Food Festival
- Puddleduck BBQ High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mcadoo Heights BBQ Speed & Feed BBQ Festival at Darlington Raceway
- iBQ'n Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT CHICKEN)
- HotMess BBQ Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 1)
- BBQ Symphony Twin Smoke
- Smokey GQ BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
- Mar-B-Que's BBQ Luna County Heritage Days Festival
- Big Reds Backyard BBQ West Bottoms Backyard Barbeque (BACKYARD ONLY)
Score of the month
SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS Turns In the Month’s Best Card
714.8572 out of 720 at Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana — the highest Master overall scored in May 2026.
714.8572 Master overall, out of 720
WARSAW, Ind. — SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS put up 714.8572 at Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana — the highest overall of the month.
Hottest hand
Two Grand Championships in May 2026 for WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ
Nobody else in the field ran a hotter hand.
2× Grand Championships
WAG'S BACKWOODS BBQ took 2 Grand Championships in May 2026.
First one ever
Big B BBQ Company Wins Its First, on the 61st Try
A first Grand Championship at Dr. George Smith BBQ Brawl (COMPETITOR SERIES), after 61 contests in the record.
61st contest — and their first GC
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Big B BBQ Company won their first Grand Championship at Dr. George Smith BBQ Brawl (COMPETITOR SERIES), in their 61st contest in the data.
Invite-only fields. Their results go into every team’s record; they don’t move the power rating.
KCBS World Invitational
Reserve: SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026) — May 23, Lebanon, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
Reserve: Phantom Smoke & BBQ
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) — May 24, Lebanon, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Rib Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026) — May 22, Lebanon, Tenn.
KCBS World Invitational
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Chicken Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026) — May 22, Lebanon, Tenn.
Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational
Reserve: B'S QUE
Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) — May 1, New Paltz, N.Y.
KCBS World Invitational
Results pending
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational - Youth Que Registration — May 23, Lebanon, Tenn.
The invitational circuit → · every invitational on record, who keeps getting invited, and who wins them.
Also in May 2026
Q Cartel Defends Its Title at Small Town Smoke Down
Q Cartel won Small Town Smoke Down again — back-to-back Grand Championships at the same contest.
The Long Shot Comes In at Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition
Click & Q won Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 7the Edition over top-rated BUNCH OF SWINES as the ratings underdog.
Judges Hand Out 118 Perfect 180s
Six judges, every card a 9: 118 perfect 180s were handed out in May 2026.
Decided by 0.0000 of a Point
Baptized by Smoke edged Jury's Out by 0.0000 at O'So Good BBQ Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) Day 2.
MAR-B-QUE'S BBQ Back on Top After Eight Years
MAR-B-QUE'S BBQ won Luna County Heritage Days Festival — their first Grand Championship since September 2017, after 23 contests without one.
The Fat is Where It's At Sets the Record at Twin Valley Fire and Smoke
The Fat is Where It's At put up 703.9428 at Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2) — the best overall in 12 editions of the contest on record, past the old mark of 702.2516.
BBQ Hot Yard Climbs 31 Rating Points
BBQ Hot Yard gained 31 rating points across 2 contests — the biggest climb of the month.
21 State Champions Crowned
21 state championships were decided in May 2026. The biggest, Minnesota in May (77 teams), went to Burnt Trees BBQ.
First Time Out, Keij Smokin Hot Takes 1st
Keij Smokin Hot finished 1st at Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition — the first contest they appear in anywhere in the data.
PUDDLEDUCK BBQ Tops the Backyard Board at High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY)
PUDDLEDUCK BBQ put up 357.1544 on the Backyard board at High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) — two meats, a different scale, and the same nerves.
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA Runs Away With Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA won Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT) by 12.0228 points over BOGGS HOG BBQ — the widest winning margin of the month.
117 Teams Roll Into Lebanon
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026) drew 117 teams, and Kings BBQ Team won it.
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA Cooks Its 300th Contest
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA cooked their 300th contest on record at Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT), with 35 Grand Championships along the way.
Nobody Hauled Further Than SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA
SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA cooked 10 contests in May 2026 — nobody hauled the rig further.
BURNT TREES BBQ Wins Minnesota in May Without Winning a Meat
BURNT TREES BBQ won Minnesota in May without winning a single meat — their best category finish was 3rd.
A New Contest Opens in Lebanon
8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026) ran for the first time on record, drawing 117 teams, and Kings BBQ Team won it. Somebody put in the work to make a new contest happen.
Big Ten Bones Takes Reserve Two Times
Big Ten Bones finished second overall 2 times in May 2026 without a Grand Championship — one place short every time.
13 Contests on One Friday
13 sanctioned contests were cooked on 1 May alone.
Charlie Brinza Works Seven Contests
Charlie Brinza repped 7 contests in May 2026 — somebody has to run the table.
Perfect 180s
118 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Pork Bad Dog BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken DANG GOOD BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork Ribs DANG GOOD BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken DAWGS BBQ Spring into Summer Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY) · May 29
- Brisket FIRE DANCER BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken FIRE DANCER BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork JANKY LEG BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken RAZORRACKS Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork ROOTERS-N-TOOTERS TN Honeybee BBQ Competition · May 29
- Pork Shiggin aint easy Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Chicken Swine Life Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork TRIPLE H BBQ Covington World's Oldest Barbeque Contest · May 29
- Pork BULL IN THE RING 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork Buckeye Blue Smoke BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken CHUNKY BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork COCAMOKE SMOKE BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork FRED VEGAS SMOKERS 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork GETTIN' BASTED 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken HOLD YOUR HORSES BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Brisket JANKY LEG BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken Leaning Jowler BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Pork MEAT ME IN ST. LOUIS 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Chicken Must B Smokin' Somethin' BBQ Team 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
- Brisket Phantom Smoke & BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · May 24
…and 94 more.
The Ratings Market Power rating and the move over May 2026; # is the team’s place in the power rankings
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ Hot Yard #819 | 1,626 | ▲ 31 |
| Click & Q #3,321 | 1,498 | ▲ 28 |
| Castleton Q #972 | 1,608 | ▲ 28 |
| MEAN MOE'S BBQ #381 | 1,703 | ▲ 27 |
| Rub Sweat and Beers #2,204 | 1,531 | ▲ 26 |
| SASSY SMOKE BBQ #883 | 1,618 | ▲ 25 |
| Brookside BBQ #1,068 | 1,598 | ▲ 25 |
| SUSQUEHANNA SMOKERS #762 | 1,632 | ▲ 25 |
| Team | Rating | Chg. |
|---|---|---|
| B'S QUE #240 | 1,744 | ▲ 24 |
| SMOKIN' SWEETMEATS #321 | 1,719 | ▲ 24 |
| This'll do it BBQ #4,353 | 1,476 | ▼ 23 |
| BELGIAN BBQ TEAM FIVE Q #1,189 | 1,588 | ▼ 24 |
| Deviant Smoke #610 | 1,658 | ▼ 24 |
| Seve et boucane | 1,474 | ▼ 26 |
| COOKLOUNGE BBQ #171 | 1,770 | ▼ 39 |
Full power rankings → · Ratings move only on rated contests; invitationals and non-points events are excluded.
The Backyard Two meats, out of 360 — never against the Master board
The Backyard division was cooked at 15 contests in May 2026.
- 1 PUDDLEDUCK BBQ High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) · Winchester, Tenn. 357.1544
- 2 Leaning Jowler BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · Lebanon, Tenn. 356.5944
- 3 DAWGS BBQ Spring into Summer Backyard BBQ Competition (BACKYARD ONLY) · Owatonna, Minn. 356.5600
- 4 Big Fluff BBQ High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) · Winchester, Tenn. 355.4516
- 5 Mind if I Smoke? High on the Hog Festival (BACKYARD ONLY) · Winchester, Tenn. 354.2744
- 6 PUDDLEDUCK BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · Lebanon, Tenn. 354.2744
- 7 Must B Smokin' Somethin' BBQ Team 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · Lebanon, Tenn. 354.2628
- 8 Electro-Que-ted 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · Lebanon, Tenn. 353.7144
- 9 Big Reds Backyard BBQ West Bottoms Backyard Barbeque (BACKYARD ONLY) · Kansas City, Mo. 353.7028
- 10 Rollin Smoke BBQ 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026) · Lebanon, Tenn. 353.1316
The Backyard series in full → · Its own record board, its own champions and its own Team of the Year.
New to the Circuit First appearance anywhere in the record — the figure is their best finish
- 1st Keij Smokin Hot Het Belgisch Barbecue Weekend 8the Edition
- 3rd Smoke Session BBQ Bear-B-Q
- 4th Bad Boys Best Dam BBQ
- 4th Beer League Barbecue Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana
- 4th Gaut's BBQ Smoke on the Seaway
- 4th Jalapeno Joe's Competition BBQ Big Knob BBQ & Cash Fest
- 4th The Smokin' Lab Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 5th Beaver Field BBQ Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 5th Goner BBQ Minnesota in May
- 5th Steelsmith's Smokehouse Smoke on the Seaway
- 6th AZ Buckeye BBQ Luna County Heritage Days Festival
- 7th New Chicago Transylvanian Steak & BBQ Fest
- 8th Shaky Swine Twin Valley Fire and Smoke (Day 2)
- 8th The Gentlemans Pit Society BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- 9th BT's Meat Treats BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
- 9th GQue BBQ JACK9 Memorial BBQ Competition
- 9th Raised on Smoke Smoke on the Seaway
- 10th Low-N-Slow Bro's BBQ Fest - Chippewa Falls, WI (BACKYARD ONLY)
What a first season usually looks like → · 12 contests also ran for the first time on record: 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Wells Cup, Cocktail Ancillary, Dessert Ancillary (Saturday, May 23, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: Master Series Invitational and the Backyard Series Invitational (Sunday, May 24, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Rib Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026), 8th Annual KCBS World Invitational: World Chicken Finals (Friday, May 22, 2026), Grand American Barbecue New York State Championship Open (OPEN FORMAT), Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES), 20th Annual Boss Hog State Championship Cook-Off, Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana, Rockin' BBQ Warsaw, Indiana (ONE MEAT RIBS), Bear-B-Q, Speed & Feed BBQ Festival at Darlington Raceway, 44th Annual Kennett Jaycees BBQ Cook Off.
Best of Each Meat
Both series, out of 180
| Meat | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken†46 | CROOKED PIGS Blue Compass RV BBQ Bash |
180 |
| Pork Ribs†16 | B'S QUE Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
180 |
| Pork†35 | MCADOO HEIGHTS BBQ Bear-B-Q |
180 |
| Brisket†21 | B'S QUE Grand American Barbecue World Championship Invitational (COMPETITOR SERIES) |
180 |
† a perfect 180 was scored in this category during the edition.
Who Showed Up
Contests · Grand Championships · best overall finish
| Team | C | GC | Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| BEER TIME BBQ | 10 | — | 2 |
| Bourbon & Blues BBQ | 10 | — | 14 |
| FIRE & SHINE BBQ | 9 | — | 2 |
| BBQ Maestros | 9 | — | 4 |
| Buckeye Blue Smoke BBQ | 9 | — | 5 |
| Sailor Nicks BBQ | 9 | — | 6 |
| Colorado Bulldawg BBQ | 8 | — | 2 |
| WE WILL ROCK QUE | 8 | — | 2 |
| Meat Monarchy | 8 | — | 4 |
| WHEN PIGS DIE | 8 | — | 5 |
| SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| BAD ROOSTER BBQ | 7 | — | 3 |
| MAYA JANE BBQ CO. | 7 | — | 4 |
| OLD VIRGINIA SMOKE | 7 | — | 4 |
Who Ran the Table
Contests worked · states & provinces
| Rep | C | St. |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Brinza | 7 | 3 |
| Jeanne Titus | 7 | 3 |
| Bunny Tuttle | 5 | 1 |
| Craig Maidens | 5 | 2 |
| Dave Rogers | 5 | 2 |
| Heather Maidens | 5 | 2 |
| Peg Rogers | 5 | 2 |
| Regina Bodnar | 5 | 2 |
| Abigail Nichols | 4 | 1 |
| Bill Wright | 4 | 1 |
| Carol Bigler | 4 | 2 |
| Clara Williams | 4 | 1 |
| Eugene Wickham | 4 | 2 |
| Haymo Gutweniger | 4 | 2 |
| Jake Nichols | 4 | 1 |
| John Scharffbillig | 4 | 2 |
| Jonathan B Williams | 4 | 1 |
| Kim Wright | 4 | 1 |
| Laurie Tweten | 4 | 2 |
| Luca Famigli | 4 | 2 |
Where They Cooked
Contests · teams
| State/Prov. | C | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 9 | 243 |
| New York | 4 | 66 |
| Alberta | 4 | 61 |
| Missouri | 4 | 45 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 145 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 65 |
| Indiana | 3 | 55 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | 40 |
| Ontario | 3 | 29 |
| GG | 3 | 16 |
| Georgia | 2 | 91 |
| North Dakota | 2 | 76 |
| Michigan | 2 | 39 |
| Alabama | 2 | 28 |
| PZ | 2 | 16 |
| NO | 2 | 9 |
| Oregon | 1 | 34 |
| Nevada | 1 | 33 |
| Iowa | 1 | 31 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 30 |
Every sanctioned contest scored in this edition — 65 in all, newest first. Click a column head to sort; click a row for the contest.
Contests Advertised
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 1) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT CHICKEN) — Friday, Oct. 23. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- VPD Back the Blue BBQ Competition — Friday, Oct. 23. Vidalia, La. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Rock Lane Presents Grills Gone Wild — Friday, Oct. 23. Branson, Mo. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- The Butcher's Smoke & Flames Barbeque Cookoff (BACKYARD ONLY) — Friday, Oct. 23. Cullman, Ala. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Foothills Smoke-Off Challenge — Friday, Oct. 23. Lenoir, N.C. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (Day 2) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
- Red White & Que - CAMPGROUND BBQ SERIES (ONE MEAT RIBS) — Saturday, Oct. 24. West Creek, N.J. Entries through the organizer; sanctioned by KCBS.
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