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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BARBECUE COOKING CONTEST

KICKS OFF TODAY & RUNS THROUGH SATURDAY

GET TICKETS NOW - FRIDAY NIGHT ALREADY SOLD OUT 

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 12, 2021 – The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest kicks off today and will run through Saturday. Competition cooking teams are set up in Tom Lee Park and the familiar barbecue smoke will again fill downtown Memphis. 

No Box Office will be in operation, tickets must be purchased on-line. Tickets for Friday May 14 is sold out and other days are going fast. Buy your tickets now if you’re planning on attending the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Dates: Wednesday May 12 – Saturday, May 15, 2021

Tickets: Tickets will not be sold at the gate. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY

Limited capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Location: Tom Lee Park, Downtown, Memphis, TN

General Admission Tickets to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest are available memphisinmay.org  

Gates Open:

May 12 – 5 PM to 10 PM

May 13 – 3 PM to 11 PM

May 14 – 3 PM to 11 PM – sold out

May 15 – 12 PM to 10 PM

On-site Judging – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

World Champion Awards Ceremony: at 7 PM

Shelby County Health Department-approved modifications for WCBCC include, significantly reducing overall capacity, reducing the number of competition teams, drastically reducing General Admission tickets, expanding the team spaces, reducing operating hours, temperature screening, requiring face masks, social distancing and other safety protocols. 

About Memphis in May 
Memphis in May is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community-based organization whose mission is to promote and celebrate Memphis’ culture, foster economic growth, and enhance international awareness through education. Founded by racially diverse Memphians in 1977, racial equity and parity are embedded in the fiber and culture of Memphis in May, the official festival of the City of Memphis.

Recipient of 223 prestigious Pinnacle Awards from the International Festival and Events Association, it has been named to Travel+Leisure’s international list of Festivals Worth Traveling For, and in 2018, Memphis topped CNN Travel’s list of international destinations to visit in May because of Memphis in May events. Beale Street Music Festival was named by Oprah Magazine as one of “14 Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss in 2020.

For additional information, please visit www.memphisinmay.org.