
For 40 years, the annual Hold’ Em & Hit’ Em BBQ Cook-Off has attracted top cooks in Texas and surrounding states. A Texas State BBQ Championship, the Cook-Off hosts over 100 teams competing for cash and prizes… and, of course, top bragging rights. Grand Champions qualify for the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City, KS and are entered for a chance to win an invitation to the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN.
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Howdy! My name is Patrick Hicks and, as General Chairman of the Hold’Em & Hit’Em BBQ Cook-Off, I am excited to invite you to participate in our 2027 competition. Our cook-off will take place January 15-16, 2027 at A.V. Bull Sallas Park (East Montgomery Fairgrounds) in New Caney, Texas. Once again, Champions Barbecue Alliance (CBA) will be sanctioning our four-meat (brisket, chicken, ribs and pork) competition, Steak Cookoff Association (SCA) will be sanctioning our Steak Cook-Off, “Anything Bacon” Competition, and our Kids ’Que Competition. We also will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament on Thursday evening the 14th. And don’t forget, we have plenty of room for vendors and sponsorship opportunities!
Hold ‘Em & Hit ‘Em Club (HHC) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to support education and youth charities through our multiple fundraising events. We give to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo by purchasing art from the School Art Auction and donating calves to the Calf Scramble, including a Hard Luck calf as well as Mystery Calf donations. We support eight surrounding county fairs (Brazoria County, Colorado County, East Montgomery County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County, Montgomery County and Waller County) through purchases of project animals at auctions and sponsorship of calf scramble calves. We also provide scholarship monies for Lone Star College and are a top-tier donor to the San Jacinto College Foundation.
Since 1992, HHC has contributed over $1.8 Million dollars to charitable and educational institutions to support the youth of Texas. None of this would be possible without event participants and sponsors like you. All donations are tax deductible and we provide a “Corporate Sponsor” form for any monies donated, or an “In-Kind Donor” form for any auction items/goods or services donated (these forms are for tax purposes only).
Thank you for your interest and support!
ENTRY FEES
BBQ Cook-Off
$250PER TEAM
SANCTIONED MEATS:
Chicken • Pork Ribs • Pork • Brisket
Cook-Off Sign-Up
REGISTER & PAY
Steak Cook-Off
$160PER ENTRY
The Steak Cook-Off is completely handled by the SCA. By clicking the button below you will be redirected to the SCA website.
Steak Sign-Up
REGISTER & PAY
Rib Showdown
$50PER ENTRY
Rib Showdown Sign-Up
REGISTER & PAYVendors
$150PER SPOT
$150.00 per 10x10 area *We have (6) end cap spaces at $200.00 each. Payment and application must be received by January 8, 2027 to guarantee a spot.
Vendor Spot - $150
REGISTER & PAY
Vendor End Cap Spot - $200
REGISTER & PAY
Judge Sign UP
If you have ever judged or have been thinking about judging BBQ then considering coming out and being a judge for our BBQ Cook-off. We promise you will have a great time!
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
2027 PAYOUT - $15,000
Grand Champion - $1,500
Reserve Grand Champion - $1,000
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $400
3rd Place- $300
4th Place - $275
5th Place - $250
6th Place - $225
7th Place - $200
8th Place - $175
9th Place - $175
10th Place - $150
11th Place - $125
12th Place - $100
13th Place - $100
14th Place - $75
15th Place - $75
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $400
3rd Place- $300
4th Place - $275
5th Place - $250
6th Place - $225
7th Place - $200
8th Place - $175
9th Place - $175
10th Place - $150
11th Place - $125
12th Place - $100
13th Place - $100
14th Place - $75
15th Place - $75
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $400
3rd Place- $300
4th Place - $275
5th Place - $250
6th Place - $225
7th Place - $200
8th Place - $175
9th Place - $175
10th Place - $150
11th Place - $125
12th Place - $100
13th Place - $100
14th Place - $75
15th Place - $75
1st Place - $500
2nd Place - $400
3rd Place- $300
4th Place - $275
5th Place - $250
6th Place - $225
7th Place - $200
8th Place - $175
9th Place - $175
10th Place - $150
11th Place - $125
12th Place - $100
13th Place - $100
14th Place - $75
15th Place - $75
THURSDAY JANUARY 14, 2027
1:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Early Drop Off (DROP OFF ONLY)
TBA - Cornhole Tournament
FRIDAY JANUARY 15, 2027
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Setup
4:00 PM - 6:45 PM - Container Pickup
7:00 PM - Chief Cooks Meeting
SATURDAY JANUARY 16, 2027
8:00-8:30 AM - Kids ’Que Check-In
8:30 AM - Kids ’Que Meeting
10:00 AM - Kids ’Que Cook's Choice Turn-In
10:45 AM - Kids ’Que Turn-In
For CBA turn-in times, please visit CBA rules
6:00 PM - Awards
*SATURDAY EARLY MOVE-OUT will be during a two (2) hour window after the awards ceremony. After the two (2) hour window, gates will be closed and locked until Sunday.
A.V. "BULL" SALLAS PARK
(EAST MONTGOMERY FAIRGROUNDS)
21675 McCleskey Road
New Caney, TX 77357
A SECURITY REMINDER FROM THE HOLD'EM & HIT'EM CLUB
Protect Against Impersonation Scams Targeting Vendors
Vendor Application & Security Notice
The Hold’Em & Hit’Em Club takes the security of our vendors and community seriously. While we are not currently aware of any fraudulent activity involving this year’s BBQ Cook-Off, we want to remind all prospective vendors to use only official HHC channels when applying or making payments.
Official Vendor Application Process
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Vendor applications and payments should only be submitted through the official Hold’Em & Hit’Em Club website and the application links provided on this page.
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Be cautious of unsolicited emails, social media messages, or individuals claiming to represent the Hold’Em & Hit’Em Club and requesting vendor fees, payments, or personal information.
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Do not send payment or sensitive information through an unfamiliar link or to an individual claiming to secure a vendor space on our behalf.
Questions or Concerns?
If you receive a questionable communication or simply want to verify that a request is legitimate, please contact us directly at [email protected] before submitting information or payment.
If You Receive a Suspicious Message
Do not respond, click links, or submit payment. Please forward the communication to [email protected] so we can review it.
Thank you for helping us protect our vendors and the HHC community. We appreciate your support and look forward to another great Hold’Em & Hit’Em Club BBQ Cook-Off!


