The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is providing new pathways for competitors chasing the largest prize ever offered in competition barbeque.
Through an agreement with the BBQ World Cup, KCBS contests will award nine qualifying spots into the BBQ World Cup championship, where 100 Pitmasters will compete for a $1,000,000 grand prize in Las Vegas in April 2027.
Four Spots at the World Invitational
Two contests during the KCBS World Invitational weekend will qualify teams for the BBQ World Cup:
Wells Cup (Open Contest)
Grand Champion
Reserve Grand Champion
KCBS Master Series Invitational
Grand Champion
Reserve Grand Champion
The Wells Cup is open to all teams. The Master Series Invitational features top teams who earned invitations through KCBS results over the past two seasons.
Five More Spots Through Team of the Year
Five additional teams will qualify through the 2026 KCBS Master Series Overall Team of the Year standings, which conclude December 31, 2026.
Together, these results will account for nine of the 100 positions in the BBQ World Cup championship field.
A Big Opportunity for KCBS Competitors
“We’re excited to provide KCBS competitors with an avenue to compete for what will be the largest prize in competition barbeque,” said Rod Gray, CEO of the Kansas City Barbeque Society. “KCBS teams have always pursued the biggest stages and the toughest competition. This opportunity raises the bar even higher.”
“KCBS pitmasters are among the most respected and accomplished cooks in the world,” said Scott Erdmann, Co-Founder of the BBQ World Cup. “We’re excited to see these teams earn their way into the BBQ World Cup through KCBS’s own major championship and the Team of the Year race.”
Shannon Pruitt, President & Co-Founder of the BBQ World Cup, said, “This partnership reflects what we’re building with the BBQ World Cup — a platform that works alongside respected organizations across barbecue to elevate teams and expand opportunity. We’re excited for KCBS competitors and proud to have them represented on the road to Las Vegas.”
The Opportunity Starts Memorial Day Weekend
The 2026 KCBS World Invitational takes place Memorial Day weekend, May 22 – 24, at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The weekend includes five competitions:
• World Chicken Finals
• World Rib Finals
• Wells Cup (Open Contest)
• Master Series Invitational
• Backyard Series Invitational
With four BBQ World Cup qualifying spots available in one weekend, the World Invitational is the most important event of the year.
Registration for KCBS members is currently open and limited to 200 teams.
Event details and registration are available here:
https://www.kcbs.us/kcbs_world_invitational_2026.php