The American Royal edition
Every team, every meat and every score from the 2024 American Royal Invitational.
Covering KCBS-sanctioned contests
The Smoke Ring
Competition Barbecue’s Paper of Record
The Index
- The Champions A2
- American Royal 2024 in Brief A3
- Meat by Meat A4
- Perfect 180s A5
- Final Standings B1
- The Record Book B2
- Back Issues C1
The 2024 American Royal Invitational
The 2024 American Royal Invitational
HOT DADDY'S BBQ Wins the American Royal
Their 709.7028 beats Smoke Central BBQ by 2.3316 points, in a field of 169 invited teams.
2nd-highest winning score of 11 American Royals on record
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — HOT DADDY'S BBQ won the 2024 American Royal Invitational in Kansas City, Kan., with 709.7028 out of 720, 2.3316 points clear of Smoke Central BBQ, the reserve grand champion. 169 teams were invited.
It was their 3rd American Royal, and the first time they had won it. The win was their 5th Grand Championship of 2024. On the way they finished 46th in chicken, 1st in pork ribs, 9th in pork and 26th in brisket.
The meats went to RUSTY PIG BBQ in chicken (180), HOT DADDY'S BBQ in pork ribs (180), All Forked up for Q in pork (180) and BBQ Daddies in brisket (180).
The winning score is the 2nd-highest of the 11 American Royals on record. The field included six past champions and 50 teams at their first American Royal. Judges handed out 15 perfect 180s. The full standings run on B1.
Every American Royal on record to 2024, newest first. Each year has an edition of its own.
- HOT DADDY'S BBQ 2024 — this edition
- FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY The 2023 edition
- QUE U The 2022 edition
- TRIPLE H BBQ The 2021 edition
- MUDVILLE BBQ The 2019 edition
- BUNCH OF SWINES The 2018 edition
- CLARK CREW BBQ The 2017 edition
- 913 BBQ The 2016 edition
- THE SMOKING HILLS The 2015 edition
- SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA The 2014 edition
- COOL SMOKE The 2013 edition
The defending champion
Defending Champion FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY Finishes 85th
The 2023 winner falls out of the top ten.
85th of 169, after winning in 2023
FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY won the American Royal in 2023 and finished 85th this time, with 684.4916.
First time in
First-Timer Okie Folks Barbecue Finishes 8th
50 teams cooked their first American Royal in 2024.
8th of 169, at a first American Royal
Okie Folks Barbecue finished 8th with 701.6916 at their first American Royal, the best of 50 teams in the field for the first time.
Perfect scores
15 Perfect 180s at the American Royal
Six judges, every card a nine.
15 perfect 180s
RUSTY PIG BBQ in chicken, RENEGADE BBQ in chicken, Smoke Central BBQ in chicken, HOT DADDY'S BBQ in pork ribs, Damn Fine Beef & Swine in pork ribs, SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS in pork ribs, Smoke Central BBQ in pork ribs, RAZORRACKS in pork ribs and 7 more scored a perfect 180.
Also at the 2024 American Royal
Six Past Champions Come Up Short
913 BBQ (won 2016) finished 3rd, TRIPLE H BBQ (won 2021) finished 34th, SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA (won 2014) finished 49th, MUDVILLE BBQ (won 2019) finished 79th, FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY (won 2023) finished 85th and BUNCH OF SWINES (won 2018) finished 104th.
GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS Climbs From 127th to 19th
GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS finished 19th, up from 127th in 2023: the most places gained by any team that cooked both.
SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ Cooks Their 11th American Royal
SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ has cooked 11 of the 11 American Royals on record, starting in 2013 with a best finish of 2nd, and finished 11th this year.
Chicken
The top ten, out of 180 · 3 perfect 180s
| Pl. | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RUSTY PIG BBQ | 180† |
| 2 | RENEGADE BBQ | 180† |
| 3 | Smoke Central BBQ | 180† |
| 4 | GOTHIC TOWN GRILLERS | 179.4400 |
| 5 | Meat Me In St. Louis | 178.8800 |
| 6 | THE BBQ BUS | 178.8572 |
| 7 | Kermit's Ex | 178.8572 |
| 8 | Cow Creek BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 9 | Dr. Squealgood BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 10 | MACHETE BOYS BBQ | 178.8572 |
Pork Ribs
The top ten, out of 180 · 5 perfect 180s
| Pl. | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | 180† |
| 2 | Damn Fine Beef & Swine | 180† |
| 3 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | 180† |
| 4 | Smoke Central BBQ | 180† |
| 5 | RAZORRACKS | 180† |
| 6 | POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP | 179.4400 |
| 7 | Pigs & Cows Gone Wild | 178.8572 |
| 8 | SMOKIN' OUTLAWS | 178.8572 |
| 9 | SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA | 178.8572 |
| 10 | Mullet Shakers BBQ | 177.7372 |
Pork
The top ten, out of 180 · 3 perfect 180s
| Pl. | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | All Forked up for Q | 180† |
| 2 | IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ | 180† |
| 3 | Sure Shot BBQ | 180† |
| 4 | Barton BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 5 | POPPA PIG AND PORKCHOP | 178.8572 |
| 6 | The Lite Bunch | 178.8572 |
| 7 | SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS | 178.8572 |
| 8 | SMOKIN' OUTLAWS | 178.8572 |
| 9 | HOT DADDY'S BBQ | 178.2972 |
| 10 | ATLANTA BBQ STORE | 178.2972 |
Brisket
The top ten, out of 180 · 4 perfect 180s
| Pl. | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BBQ Daddies | 180† |
| 2 | 913 BBQ | 180† |
| 3 | PORTERHOUSE BBQ | 180† |
| 4 | PIGGIN' WHISKEY | 180† |
| 5 | AMERICAN FIRE BBQ | 179.4400 |
| 6 | Kith n' Kin | 179.4400 |
| 7 | SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 8 | Sure Shot BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 9 | Cherry Anchor BBQ | 178.8572 |
| 10 | CHICKEN FRIED BBQ | 178.8572 |
15 perfect scores — six judges, every card a nine.
- Chicken RUSTY PIG BBQ
- Chicken RENEGADE BBQ
- Chicken Smoke Central BBQ
- Pork Ribs HOT DADDY'S BBQ
- Pork Ribs Damn Fine Beef & Swine
- Pork Ribs SCUFFLETOWN SMOKERS
- Pork Ribs Smoke Central BBQ
- Pork Ribs RAZORRACKS
- Pork All Forked up for Q
- Pork IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ
- Pork Sure Shot BBQ
- Brisket BBQ Daddies
- Brisket 913 BBQ
- Brisket PORTERHOUSE BBQ
- Brisket PIGGIN' WHISKEY
Every team on the 2024 board, 169 in all: the overall out of 720 and each meat’s place. ★ a past American Royal champion; ◆ a first American Royal. Click a column head to sort.
Every board, with the score charts, on the contest’s own page →
Every American Royal on record to 2024, the invitational itself only.
Highest Scores
Any finish, out of 720
- 1 QUE U2022 · 1st 711.9656
- 2 HOT DADDY'S BBQ2024 · 1st 709.7028
- 3 CLARK CREW BBQ2017 · 1st 708.5600
- 4 TRIPLE H BBQ2021 · 1st 708.5372
- 5 THE SMOKING HILLS2015 · 1st 707.9888
- 6 Smoke Central BBQ2024 · 2nd 707.3712
- 7 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY2023 · 1st 706.8572
- 8 Damn Fine Beef & Swine2023 · 2nd 706.2744
- 9 Bushmaster BBQ2022 · 2nd 706.2628
- 10 MUDVILLE BBQ2019 · 1st 706.2516
Most Titles
Grand Championships
- 1 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY2023 1
- 2 QUE U2022 1
- 3 HOT DADDY'S BBQ2024 1
- 4 MUDVILLE BBQ2019 1
- 5 TRIPLE H BBQ2021 1
- 6 COOL SMOKE2013 1
- 7 913 BBQ2016 1
- 8 BUNCH OF SWINES2018 1
- 9 THE SMOKING HILLS2015 1
- 10 CLARK CREW BBQ2017 1
Most Appearances
American Royals cooked
- 1 SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ2013–2024 · best 2nd 11
- 2 IOWA'S SMOKEY D'S BBQ2013–2024 · best 5th 11
- 3 SHIGGIN & GRINNIN2013–2024 · best 9th 11
- 4 CLARK CREW BBQ2013–2023 · best 1st 10
- 5 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA2014–2024 · best 1st 10
- 6 DIRT ROAD BBQ2013–2023 · best 2nd 10
- 7 GETTIN' BASTED2014–2024 · best 2nd 10
- 8 SMOKE THIS BBQ MO2014–2024 · best 4th 10
- 9 BIG POPPA SMOKERS2013–2023 · best 13th 10
- 10 THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE SMOKE2014–2024 · best 20th 10
Closest Finishes
Points between first and second
- 1 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY2023, over Damn Fine Beef & Swine 0.5828
- 2 BUNCH OF SWINES2018, over ONE2BBQ 1.0968
- 3 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA2014, over DIRT ROAD BBQ 1.1312
- 4 MUDVILLE BBQ2019, over GETTIN' BASTED 2.2744
- 5 CLARK CREW BBQ2017, over HOGLINE 2.3200
- 6 HOT DADDY'S BBQ2024, over Smoke Central BBQ 2.3316
- 7 913 BBQ2016, over SHAKE 'N BAKE BBQ 2.8340
- 8 TRIPLE H BBQ2021, over SIN CIRCLE BBQ 4.5488
- 9 QUE U2022, over Bushmaster BBQ 5.7028
- 10 COOL SMOKE2013, over T-MAC SMOKIN 6.2516
Biggest Fields
Teams invited
- 1 2022won by QUE U 249
- 2 2023won by FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY 211
- 3 2015won by THE SMOKING HILLS 187
- 4 2021won by TRIPLE H BBQ 185
- 5 2016won by 913 BBQ 180
- 6 2013won by COOL SMOKE 174
- 7 2024won by HOT DADDY'S BBQ 169
- 8 2014won by SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA 165
- 9 2018won by BUNCH OF SWINES 164
- 10 2019won by MUDVILLE BBQ 135
Best First Appearances
Finish at a first invitation
- 1 QUE U2022 · of 249 1st
- 2 FIRE AT THE END OF THE DAY2023 · of 211 1st
- 3 MUDVILLE BBQ2019 · of 135 1st
- 4 SMOKIN HOGGZ BBQ - MA2014 · of 165 1st
- 5 Damn Fine Beef & Swine2023 · of 211 2nd
- 6 YSB BBQ2021 · of 185 3rd
- 7 T-N-T QUE CREW2019 · of 135 3rd
- 8 DR. NORDY'S BBQ2014 · of 165 3rd
- 9 KG Cookers BBQ2017 · of 129 4th
- 10 DIVINE SWINE2018 · of 164 4th
Every American Royal on record has an edition of its own. ← 2023 2025 →
American Royal editions: 2026 · 2025 · 2024 · 2023 · 2022 · 2021 · 2019 · 2018 · 2017 · 2016 · 2015 · 2014 · 2013
The other invitationals: Jack Daniel’s · World Invitational · every invitational on record
The season: 2024 in review · the latest edition