Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest

World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest

The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, also simply known as "The Cookoff," started in 1974 and has consistently drawn massive attendance numbers for the three-day event, drawing a record 244,184 visitors in 2011. It takes place on the southern parking lot of Reliant Stadium, with over 350 teams participating every year, and is generally considered a "Hot Ticket," as most are for members or by invitation only. While the event is open to the general public, those that can get into the tents are generally allowed an unlimited amount of food and beverages.

BBQ attendance figures
BBQ contest attendance 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Thursday 25,459 25,627 15,946 29,570 21,113 28,415 30,421 33,568 34,223 35,934 36,800
Friday 56,459 61,564 39,532 60,580 61,735 50,929 66,850 70,121 76,889 68,198 83,711
Saturday 78,813 84,237 89,098 93,189 57,188 67,481 93,642 103,460 106,528 117,097 123,673
Totals 161,219 171,428 144,576 183,339 140,036 146,825 190,913 209,313 217,640 221,229 244,184

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