The MD State BBQ Bash will take place Oct. 9, 2026 from 4 – 10 p.m. and Oct. 10, 2026 from 12 – 10 p.m. This is a rain or shine event.
All applicants must submit payment with their application. The committee will not review your application unless it is complete with payment. In the event of your application not being accepted, your application fee will be refunded.
Only space is provided. All competitors must provide their own tables, chairs and display materials.
Run and judged under the KCBS rules and regulations. This will include the 4 KCBS categories – chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Please refer to the KCBS website for the 2026 Rules and Regulations.
Check-in occurs on Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Any vehicles parked in cooking spots must remain there from 1 p.m. Friday until 5 p.m. Saturday. Registration fee is nonrefundable.
Electricity
20 amps of electricity is provided with every paid registration. Per Harford County Government’s Electrical Permitting and Licensing Department, no generators are allowed. (On board RV generators are the exception to this rule).
The MD State BBQ Bash has been named the Maryland State Cup Contest with the Mid-Atlantic Barbecue Association for 2026!
The MABA State Cup, a signature championship program recognizing top competitive barbecue teams from across the Mid-Atlantic region, has selected the Championship Competition at the 2026 MD State BBQ Bash as its official Maryland State Cup contest! Each spring, State Cup Winners from across the region compete to be crowned the MABA Cup Champion, bringing together elite teams from each state for a regional showdown.
One contest per participating state state (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina) is designated annually as the MABA State Cup contest, wherein the highest-scoring team from that state is crowned as the MABA State Cup Winner. Each winner receives the MABA State Cup and a $250 cash award, and they also advance to the regional championship competition.
MABA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting competitive barbecue throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. MABA supports more than 60 barbecue contests annually and serves teams, judges, and organizers across eight states.
“We’re incredibly excited about the 2026 season and the continued growth of the MABA State Cup program. The Board is thrilled to partner with an outstanding group of contests across the region, and we’re proud to support events that showcase the best of competitive barbecue in the Mid-Atlantic.”
Application
Check back in March for 2026 applications!