More than 250 teams came to compete in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s 52nd annual barbecue cook-off, but only one took home the grand prize–one of competition barbecue’s most coveted trophies.
All Jacked Up was named the Grand Champion Overall winner on Saturday night at the conclusion of the three-day World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. The team’s combined scores from its pitmaster efforts (including chicken, ribs and brisket) propelled them ahead of teams from throughout Texas, the nation and international competitors.
It was a thrilling conclusion to one of the most popular Houston traditions that kicks off RodeoHouston, which begins its run on Tuesday, March 3.
Other cook-off events included the Open Contest (that shows the culinary breadth of cook-off teams), the Jr. Cook-off (for budding pitmasters ages 8 to 14), and the BBQ Olympics, where teams are judged on speed, agility, coordination and teamwork.
When the smoke cleared, these are the winners that emerged from the 2026 cook-off pack:
The 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest winners:
Grand Champion Overall – All Jacked Up
Reserve Champion Overall – Hardin County Go Texan
Third Place Overall – Brett’s BBQ Shop
Brisket
Champion – Victoria County Go Texan
Second Place – Holy Cow Cookers
Third Place – Bunch of Swines
Ribs
Champion – America Royal Winner – Wag’s Backwoods BBQ
Second Place – Colorado County Go Texan
Third Place – The Stockyard Saloon
Chicken
Champion – Jack Daniels Winner – Kings BBQ
Second Place – Be Somebody Cooking Team
Third Place – Roughriders BBQ
Go Texan
Grand Champion – Hardin County Go Texan
Reserve Champion – Matagorda County Go Texan
Dutch Oven Dessert
Champion – Cattle Cookers
Second Place – Dusty Que
Third Place – Maddog BBQ
Open Contest Champion – Calhoun County Go Texan
Second Place – L.P.O.A. Road Kill Café
Third Place – Dusty Bones Cookers
Jr. Cook-off
Champion – David Causey, Pressure Cookers
Second Place – Raelyn Eleesa Barker, Pitmaker BBQ Addiction
Third Place – Peyton Lewis, Texas Social Club
Specialty Awards
Best Façade – Holy Cow Cookers
Best Overall Theme – Limestone County Cookers
Best Skit – BOHICA BBQ Cooking Team
Impact Award
Champion – 300 Justice Road
WCBBQ Games:
Winner – Half Fast Cookers
Second Place – Brisket Cases
