Barbeque enthusiasts have the opportunity to visit the culinary event of the year, the Memphis in May World Championship Barbeque Cooking Contest!
Hosted at Liberty Park in the iconic city of Memphis for almost 50 years, the five-day extravaganza sees participants compete across various categories for an elusive championship title and monetary prizes. Visitors also have the chance to experience the best barbeque that the USA has to offer, with ticket packages which include tastings available for purchase.
The festival attracts visitors from around the globe each year and has even achieved international acclaim with a 1990 Guinness Book of World Records accolade for ‘the largest barbeque-cooking contest in the world’. Media networks flock to cover the competition, which hosts around 125 teams.
Beyond their passion for quality barbequing, Memphis in May honours and champions the rich barbequing culture in Memphis, as well as promote the local economy by driving tourists to the region. The event also endeavours to celebrate strategic international partnerships between Memphis and countries around the globe. South Korea was announced as Memphis in May’s honoured country for 2025 in recognition of their economic contributions to the region.
Ticket prices for the Memphis in May event start from just US$22 for single day access, and US$65 for the full festival experience with a four-day (14-17 May 2025 inclusive). Avid fans can purchase a ‘VIPit’ pass for US$595.
Guests can also purchase tickets for additional experiences including the Tour of Champions (US$33) and BBQ Alley (US$28). The Tour of Champions lasts approximately 90 minutes, with guests tasting competitors’ offerings and learning their top barbequing tips. BBQ Alley is a separate area of the event which will house four established barbeque restaurants and ‘Pitmasters’, also providing meat samples. Exclusive sale pricing is available on entry tickets and experiences if they are purchased together.
Free experiences such as Home Depot’s Outdoor Kitchen, The McCormick Demo Stage and Cooker Caravan are also available. The MIM Barbeque Marketplace provides sauces, rubs, and products available for purchase to enable patrons to put their culinary learnings into practice after the event.
Tickets have just been released for public purchase via the Memphis in May website, which also contains important information about the event. Updates are also available on social channels, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (@memphisinmay), and YouTube (@meminmay).
All images are credited to Julian Harper.
