Battle for the bones

The Battle for the Bones BBQ Competition will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Protective Stadium prior to the UAB-Memphis football game. 

The primary competition is a one-meat ribs contest sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue society and is open to professionals and amateurs. KCBS Backyard contest rules apply. 

There will also be a sauce only competition for individuals and teams who would like to participate. 

Registration fee for the BBQ Contest is $200 and includes one 20x20’ cooking site, entry in the pork ribs & sauce categories, one parking pass for the UAB-Memphis football game, and
10 tickets to the UAB-Memphis football game. Entry into the sauce only contest is $50 and includes two UAB-Memphis football game tickets. All registrations are online at the link below.

Final Battle For The Bones contest timings will be announced when the game time is released on Monday, October 6, 2025. Check-in, cooks meeting, and turn in times will be will be adjusted to meet the game’s kickoff time. A mandatory cook’s meeting will be held that day at 7 am CT to go over the rules and answer questions. Water stations will be available and electricity will be provided. Tents, tables and chairs are not provided but are permitted.

The deadline to enter the Battle for the Bones contest is 5 p.m. CST on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 and limited spots are available! Once sold out, a waiting list will be available.

Please contact Heather Jeffcoat at hjeffcoat@champbranding.com with any questions.

PRIZES

1st Place (Ribs) - $2,000

2nd Place (Ribs) - $750

3rd Place (Ribs) - $250

1st Place (Sauce) – Trophy

ENTRY FEE: $200

Your entry fee will include the following:

One 20x20’ cooking site

Entry in the pork ribs & sauce categories

One parking pass for the UAB-Memphis football game

10 tickets to the UAB-Memphis football game

Judging Procedures
All meat should be kept raw and unseasoned at 40 degrees or colder for inspection prior to marinating or cooking. After the cooking process, the meat must be kept at 140 degrees or hotter. A judging panel will require six or more separate and identifiable samples be submitted in an approved turn-in container to determine a first, second and third place. Judging will begin promptly at 1:30 pm CT for sauce and 2 pm for ribs. Each team will collect points based on the appearance, taste and tenderness of the meat that will ultimately determine the winner of the contest. Winning teams will also receive the coordinating prize listed below.

KCBS One-Meat Contest Overview
This is a contest where only one meat is cooked, following KCBS Master Series rules.  A One-Meat contest may be added to an existing contest as a fun event for the day prior to the main contest.  It can also be a stand-alone contest for a smaller venue or when there is less time available.  Any of the four main KCBS types of meat may be used (Chicken, Pork Ribs, Pork, Brisket).  KCBS Master Series and Backyard cooks will earn Team of the Year points for the specific category.  This provides an incentive for pitmasters to choose specific contests for extra KCBS Team of the Year points.  A One-Meat Contest is also a great way to give new teams an opportunity to try to compete in a more approachable contest.