After drawing teams from across the US and Japan in its inaugural year, the Southeastern BBQ Showdown is firing back up in Columbia, April 24–25, 2026 — this time at Gamecock Park.
Hosted by the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, the two-day competition will feature 40 BBQ teams, a vendor expo, a family fun zone, and live music from Radio Disco and Cody Webb, with a CMA rising star to be announced.
The event will once again be filmed for national TV. Catch highlights from last year’s competition on the Cooking Channel — Part 1 will air Saturday, April 19 + Part 2 on Saturday, April 26, both at 7 p.m.
Expect celebrity judges like Myron Mixon, Rodney Scott, and Chef Brian Duffy to return, alongside host Stephen Raichlen and People’s Choice tiebreaker judge and former Gamecock quarterback, Connor Shaw.
