TrekUnity
When
September
Attendance
~60,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
The American Royal World Series of Barbecue is one of the largest barbecue competitions on the planet — hundreds of teams converging on the Kansas City area each fall to smoke, compete, and celebrate in the spiritual home of American barbecue, complete with a giant open competition and side contests.
For barbecue lovers, it's a pilgrimage to KC, easily paired with the city's legendary barbecue joints, jazz history, and fountains.
Want to go? Turn American Royal World Series of Barbecue into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Late September / early October (a long weekend)
Admission
Ticketed grounds · pay for tastings
Parking
On-site lots at the venue; rideshare is easy from downtown and the Power & Light District.
Nearest airport
Kansas City International (MCI) — ~35 min
Typical weather
Mild Midwest early fall — 70s °F by day, cool evenings.
Official website
Location
Kansas City, MO
Where to stay
Hotel Kansas City
Grand historic hotel downtown.
21c Museum Hotel
Art-filled boutique hotel downtown.
Power & Light District hotels
Central to nightlife and dining.
Where to eat & drink
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que
The famous gas-station barbecue legend.
Arthur Bryant's
A KC barbecue institution since the 1920s.
Q39
Modern, award-winning KC barbecue.
Nearby attractions
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
World-class museum with the giant shuttlecocks.
Country Club Plaza
Spanish-inspired shopping and fountains.
American Jazz Museum (18th & Vine)
KC's historic jazz district.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + first BBQ
- •Fly into MCI
- •Afternoon: Nelson-Atkins Museum
- •Dinner: Joe's KC
2Barbecue contest
- •Afternoon: the competition + tastings
- •Evening: 18th & Vine jazz
3Plaza + depart
- •Morning: Country Club Plaza
- •Lunch: Q39
- •Head to MCI
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Come hungry and hit KC's legendary barbecue joints too.
- Rideshare from downtown or the Power & Light District.
- Add the Nelson-Atkins Museum and 18th & Vine jazz district.
Frequently asked questions
When is the American Royal barbecue?
Late September or early October, in the Kansas City area.
How big is it?
It's one of the world's largest barbecue competitions, with hundreds of teams.
What else should you eat in KC?
Hit the legends — Joe's KC, Arthur Bryant's, and Q39 — the city is a barbecue mecca.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by American Royal World Series of Barbecue or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.