Big BBQ Bash

Dates: September 25, 2026 - September 26, 2026
Location: 7930 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882

2026 Big BBQ Bash taking place at new location!

The 2026 Big BBQ Bash will be held September 25-26 at the Greater Smokies Event Center (7930 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN 37882).

This venue offers expanded space for 60+ teams, with most sites situated on grass. Each site includes water access and 20AMP 125V, 30AMP 125V, and 50AMP 125V/250V electric service.

For out-of-town guests looking for accommodations, there are several options:
Tremont Lodge | Best Western | River Breeze Inn

Teams are now eligible to be voted People’s Choice in the pork competition.

The Big BBQ Bash is a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned competition. KCBS sanctions barbecue and grilling competitions across the U.S. and promotes barbecue as America’s cuisine. In addition, KCBS has an extensive Certified Barbecue Judging program. It is the largest society of barbecue enthusiasts in the world.

Cash and prizes totaling $10,000 will be awarded!

Categories include Pork, Chicken, Ribs, and Beef Brisket.

New for 2026: Teams are now eligible to be voted People’s Choice in the Pork category.

KCBS Rules (coming soon) | The Big BBQ Bash Payout 2026 | Event Schedule

For more information, please contact Pamela Coleman at Pamela.Coleman@mcnabb.org

History of Big BBQ Bash

Former Governor Bill Haslam proclaimed the Blount County Big BBQ Bash as a state championship, making the competition a qualifier for the American Royal Barbecue Cook-Off and Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Since its inception in 2007, the Big BBQ Bash has raised more than $150,000 for charitable causes in Blount County. All proceeds from the 2026 Big BBQ Bash will benefit the McNabb Center’s Military Services in Blount County.

Register

Register Team

"*" indicates required fields

Team Name*

Chief Cook Name*

First Last

Corporate Sponsor (if applicable)

Phone*

Email*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Competition Details

Beef Brisket Pork Ribs (Spare or Loin) Pork (Shoulder or Boston Butt) Chicken

Has your team competed in the Big BBQ Bash before?

Yes

Are you planning to sell?

Please read and sign the following waiver:

The committee reserves the right to reject any application. If your application is not accepted, your money will be refunded. However, no refund will be made once you have been accepted into the contest. Any photo taken of your team onsite and your responses to questions in the application become the property of Big BBQ Bash and may be used for promotional purposes. Contestant agrees to indemnify and hold Big BBQ Bash and its employees and volunteers, harmless from any and all claims made against the cook-off, including, without limitation, all costs liabilities, judgments, expenses, damages or reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or in connection with (I) any structure erected by contestant, (II) any apparatus, equipment or personal property used by contestant, (III) an act or omission to act of agents, and (IV) any claims made on account or resulting from contestant’s participation in the contest. I agree to abide by Big BBQ Bash and the Kansas City BBQ Society’s (KCBS) Rules and Regulations as found on the Big BBQ Bash Website https://mcnabbfoundation.org/hrm_events/bbq/.

Chief Cook Electronic Signature*

If you have additional questions, please contact:

Cook Team Questions: Mark Smith, (865) 806-5398 Event Questions: Pamela Coleman, Pamela.Coleman@mcnabb.org

Registration

Are you a KCBS Member?*

Member: Early Bird $250 (Reg. $300)

Non-member: Early Bird $275 (Reg. $325)

Space Size

Big BBQ Bash wants to make your team’s experience in Townsend enjoyable! We ask that you provide us with the most detailed information possible regarding your space and power needs. *Basic entry fees include 20x20 cook site, access to water connection, access to 110V electrical hookup - you may need up to 50ft of water hose and 50ft of heavy-duty outdoor electrical cords *Limited number of larger sites have 30A and 50A power in addition to the 110V available *All equipment must fit inside of allotted space or an additional space must be purchased *Teams may arrive at the Townsend Visitor Center after 5 p.m. on Thursday evening (September 24th).

Additional Space 20x30

Price: $50.00

Additional Space 20x40

Price: $75.00

Additional Space 20x50

Price: $100.00

Other Requests

Additional Donation Amount in Dollars (25 = $25)

Payment

Total

Payment Options*

Credit Card

American Express

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Card Number

Expiration Date

Security Code Cardholder Name

Billing Address*

Same as previous

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

CAPTCHA

Judge

"*" indicates required fields

Name*

First Last

Phone*

Email*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Registration

KCBS Certification Number*

When were you certified?*

Number of Competition(s) Judged*

Last Competition(s) Judged*

Preferred Role*

Judge

Table Captain

Military Services

The Big BBQ Bash benefits the McNabb Center’s Military Services. The Center’s focus of “Well Mind, Well Being” led the organization to create specialized services for military personnel and their loved ones. These services are confidential and free for individuals facing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, thoughts of suicide and other invisible wounds incurred from service. Please consider a gift of support in honor of those who have bravely served our country.

Custom Donation in Whole Dollars (25 = $25)

Payment

Total

Payment Options*

Credit Card

American Express

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Card Number

Expiration Date

Security Code Cardholder Name

Billing Address*

Same as previous

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

CAPTCHA

Big BBQ Bash

2026 Big BBQ Bash taking place at new location!

History of Big BBQ Bash

Register

Register Team

Competition Details

Please read and sign the following waiver:

If you have additional questions, please contact:

Registration

Payment

Judge

Registration

Military Services

Payment

Share this form

Sponsored By

Pitmaster

Additional Links

Make A Donation

View Our Events

Learn more about the McNabb Center