Memphis in May sets 2027 barbecue contest and river run dates

Memphis in May will bring the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest back to Liberty Park from May 12-15, 2027, with River Run events returning downtown the same month. Team applications and race registration open Nov. 5, as the festival marks its 50th anniversary year.

Why it matters: - Memphis in May is using its 50th anniversary year to spotlight two of its biggest crowd draws: the barbecue contest and the Great American River Run. - The return of both events signals another year of major tourism, competition and downtown activity for Memphis. - The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is one of the city’s best-known traditions and remains a major attraction for teams, spectators and sponsors.

What happened: - The World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest will return to Liberty Park from Wednesday, May 12 through Saturday, May 15, 2027. - Memphis in May said the barbecue contest will again anchor the month-long Memphis in May International Festival in 2027. - Team applications for the barbecue contest open Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 at Memphis in May barbecue information. - Registration for the Great American River Run also opens Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026 at River Run registration. - The Great American River Run will return to downtown Memphis with 5K, 10K and half-marathon events.

The details: - Memphis in May said the 2027 festival will mark its 50th anniversary. - The contest is expected to bring more than 50,000 attendees back to Liberty Park for the fourth straight year. - In 2026, the barbecue contest included more than 200 teams from 27 states and seven foreign countries. - The 2026 event also debuted the festival’s first Open Fire World Championship. - The Junior World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest returned for the second year in 2026. - Competition categories include Ribs, Shoulder and Whole Hog for traditional championship teams. - The Open Fire World Championship will challenge competitors to cook with live fire using proteins and techniques beyond traditional barbecue. - The Patio Porker Division gives amateur teams a ribs-only competition format. - The Junior World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest is open to pitmasters ages 9-17.

Between the lines: - Memphis in May is leaning on familiar venues and formats while adding competition options that broaden participation. - The repeated return to Liberty Park suggests the location has become the event’s preferred home base. - The mix of professional, amateur and youth divisions helps the festival reach a wider audience and deepen the next generation of competitors.

What's next: - Memphis in May will open barbecue team applications and River Run registration on Nov. 5, 2026. - More festival updates are expected as the organization moves toward the 2027 events. - The festival said more information will be available at Memphis in May and through its social channels.

The bottom line: - Memphis in May is setting up 2027 as a milestone year with the return of its flagship barbecue contest, a downtown race weekend and a 50th anniversary celebration.