WHEN
Feb. 23-25, 2023
- Thursday, Feb. 23: 5 to 11 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 24: noon to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 25: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
▪ 7 p.m.: Contest Awards Presentation – The Garden Stage
WHERE
NRG Park (Parking lot at 610 Loop and Kirby Drive)
CONTEST TICKETS
- Adult (13 & over): $20
- Child (3 to 12): $5
- Age 2 and under: Free
- Grounds Season Pass: $50 (valid through the run of the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™: Feb. 28 – March 19, 2023)
Tickets allow entrance into NRG Park for the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and includes a complimentary sliced barbecue brisket and sausage plate, access to live music areas and admission to the carnival. Tickets do not include access to private cook-off tents. If you have a private tent pass, you must also have a grounds ticket. Tent passes are not for sale and are distributed by the Bar-B-Que teams.
Purchase tickets online at rodeohouston.com, or at the contest gates. Onsite ticket sales end at 10:30 p.m. daily during the event, and online sales end at 9:30 p.m. daily during the event.
COOK TEAMS/JUDGING
Cook teams feature the most creative in barbecue decor, from pits disguised as fire engines and covered wagons, to airplanes and armadillos. More than 250 teams comprising more than 700 entries compete for best overall barbecue. Judging will be held Saturday, Feb. 25. The results will be announced at The Garden Stage at 7 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Garden Stage
The Garden Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite, features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country.
Thursday, Feb. 23
6:15 p.m.: DJ DU
7:15-8:45 p.m.: Chad Cooke Band
9:15-10:45 p.m.: Randall King
Friday, Feb. 24
3:30 p.m.: DJ DU
5-6:30 p.m.: Jon Stork
7:15-10:45 p.m.: Dos Borrachos feat: Kevin Fowler/Roger Creager
Saturday, Feb. 25
11:30 a.m.: DJ DU
12-1:30 p.m.: Junior Gordon
2-3:30 p.m.: Kin Faux
4-5:30 p.m.: Stephanie Urbina Jones & the Honky Tonk Mariachi
7 p.m.: Contest Awards Presentation
7:45-9:15 p.m.: William Clark Green
9:30-11 p.m.: Reckless Kelly
Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon
The Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Open 5 to 11 p.m.
6:30 p.m.-11 p.m.: Cody Ray Henry
Friday, Feb. 24
Open noon to 11 p.m.
5-11 p.m.: Cody Ray Henry
Saturday, Feb. 25
Open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
2-11 p.m.: Cody Ray Henry
Carnival
The Carnival is open during the contest for family enjoyment of all ages.
- Thursday, Feb. 23: 6 to 11 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 24: 3 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 25: noon to 11 p.m.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Visit rodeohouston.com for Parking & Transportation information.
PUBLIC PARKING
- Miller Lite Yellow Lot: $20
- 610 Lot: $20
Visit rodeohouston.com for more information, or download the official RODEOHOUSTON® app, which is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The app offers ease for visitors to find parking, get maps, view the lineup and schedule of events, buy tickets and more.
WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP BAR-B-QUE CONTEST JR. COOK-OFF CONTEST
The Jr. Cook-off contest for 2023 will be held Friday, Feb. 24 beginning at 9 a.m., followed by the Awards Ceremony at 11 a.m. in the Garden Stage of the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest grounds. Children between the ages of 8-14 will be given a single steak to prepare that will be judged on appearance/presentation, tenderness and taste. Awards will be presented to the top 3 contestants at 11 a.m. The contest is open to World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest teams and 35 contestants will be chosen via random drawing. An educational demonstration will be presented by the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee, starting at 10 a.m. in the Garden Stage.
MEDIA ASSISTANCE AND LOGISTICS
The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee publicity subcommittee will have a media area onsite during the contest. For media questions, assistance with sound or video, truck movements within the contest area, or interview, video and photo opportunities, please call the following World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Committee volunteers:
- Michael Garfield, Broadcast Director – Publicity: 713.828.3926
- Jan Glenn, Media Coordinator – Publicity: 713.857.4610
- Heather Lehrmann, Vice Chairman – Publicity: 281.793.6754
THESE NUMBERS ARE FOR WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP BAR-B-QUE CONTEST MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY. All other Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo media inquiries and request for media credentials should be directed to the Media Relations Manager, Shelby Pipken at pipken@rodeohouston.com.