More than 250 teams compete in the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest presented by Cotton Holdings. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the Carnival, presented by First Community, is open for wild rides and fun games.
The Garden Stage features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. The Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music, and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy. Inside the saloon is the Chuckwagon, where visitors can pick up their complimentary BBQ plate.
The Garden Stage, sponsored by Miller Lite
The Garden Stage features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country.
| Thursday, Feb. 26 | Friday, Feb. 27 | Saturday, Feb. 28 |
| 6:15 p.m.: DJ DU | 3:30 p.m.: DJ DU | 12:30-1:30 p.m.: DJ DU |
| 7:15-8:45 p.m.: Trent Cowie | 5-6:30 p.m.: Wynn Williams | 2-3:30 p.m.: David Lewis |
| 9:15-10:45 p.m.: Roger Creager | 7:15-10:45 p.m.: Cole Goodwin | 4-5:30 p.m.: Shaylen |
| 9:15-10:45 p.m.: Braxton Keith | 7 p.m.: Contest Awards Presentation | |
| 7:45-9:15 p.m.: Jason Boland & The Stragglers | ||
| 9:30-11 p.m.: Cory Morrow |
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. 26 | Friday, Feb. 27 | Saturday, Feb. 28 |
| Open 5 to 11 p.m | Open noon to 11 p.m | Open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m.: The Black Creek Band | 5-11 p.m.: The Black Creek Band | 2-11 p.m.: The Black Creek Band |
Admission Tickets
- Adult (13 & over): $30
- Child (3 to 12): $10
- Age 2 and under: Free
- Grounds Season Pass: $65 (valid through the run of the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest ( 26-28) and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ (March 2 – 22)
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 at the Chuckwagon tent, access to live music areas and admission to the carnival, presented by First Community. 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 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest tickets online or at the grounds ticket booths. 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.
Carnival, presented by First Community
The Midway carnival is open during the following hours:
- Thursday, Feb. 26: 6 to 11 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 27: 3 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 28: noon to 11 p.m.
Parking & Transportation
Find Parking & Transportation information ahead of time.
- Yellow Lot: $25
- 610 Lot: $25