General Event Questions
BBQ Jackpot is a KCBS-sanctioned BBQ contest held at Silverton Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada Nov. 22, 2025.
The competition is in the parking lot of the Silverton Casino, which is located off the I-15 at 3333 Blue Diamond Road.
Please visit our Master Series Registration page for details.
Please visit our Judges Application page for details.
Please visit our Sponsors page for details.
Teams start smoking up their BBQ before the sun even rises Saturday morning. The first entry is due at noon.
The event ends at the conclusion of the awards ceremony, which will start around 6 p.m. Free BBQ samples will be available starting at 10 a.m. Check out the full schedule for details.
If you are a registered team, designated parking will be provided for you. If you’re a judge or volunteer, please park at the back end of the Bass Pro Shops.
If you’re a spectator and you plan to check out all the great things happening inside Bass Pro Shops, you’re welcome to use their customer parking.
Yes! Check out the Pit Stop! Free BBQ samples will be provided by our sponsors from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or while supplies last. BBQ demos will also be happening during those times, so you can learn more about the art of BBQ.
Spectators are welcome to walk around and witness these champion pitmasters at work. Feel free to ask questions, just know that from about 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. they will be very busy preparing their entries for the judges.
Yes. We will have free samples of BBQ from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. or while supplies last. The competition teams will be preparing BBQ to serve to the certified judges. Their BBQ will not be served to the public.
In November, the highs in Las Vegas are usually in the 70s. The lows can dip down to the 30s. There is always a chance of strong winds in Vegas, so please bring tent weights. There’s also a slight chance for rain this time of year.
Yes. Dogs are allowed to walk around the parking lot with their owners, so long as they don’t interfere with the cooks. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Owners are responsible for picking up after their pets.
Competitor Questions
Yes, so long as the space you registered for can accomodate the size of your trailer.
No. Electricity will not be provided. You are allowed to bring your own generators, but they must be placed on a mat of some kind to protect the parking lot from fuel spills.
No. Teams will need to provide their own water and ice. There are several gas stations nearby that sell ice.
For those who need to fill or dump RVs, The Las Vegas Oasis RV Park across the freeway that has dump and refill stations. Please coordinate with them.
Yes! Bass Pro Shops has a huge collection of BBQ rubs, sauces, grills and other BBQ equipment.
If you’re looking for other specialty items, Premier BBQ and Fire is another great option.
There is a Target within one mile of the event. They carry some grocery store items. There is also a Smith’s Grocery Store within two miles.
Restaurant Depot is located 7 miles from the event.
Both Sam’s Club and Costco occasionally carry Prime Grade briskets. There are several locations in town. We recommend calling ahead.
The Newport Meat Company can also cases of competition-quality meat, but you will need to coordinate with them in advance. They are not open to the general public.
Alcohol will be for sale at the Jack Daniel’s bar in the BBQ Pit Stop and within the Silverton Casino.
Recreational drugs, including marijuana, are prohibited at the BBQ Jackpot event site. Although cannabis is legal in Las Vegas, it is illegal to use it in any public space. Teams who abuse this policy may be disqualified.
Yes with pre-coordination with the event organizers.
BBQ Jackpot reserves the right to cancel an event for reasons beyond Force Majeure. If BBQ Jackpot cancels an event, registrants will be notified and offered a full refund of the fees paid directly to BBQ Jackpot minus any non-refundable processing fees. The American Royal is not responsible for any refund between the registrant and a third party vendor or for travel expenses.
In case of cancellation of the contest or unavailability of the event due to any causes that are beyond BBQ Jackpot’s control, including, without limitation, such causes as war, governmental action or order, act of God, fire, flood, severe storm, strike, labor disputes, or other similar causes (“Force Majeure Event”), this Agreement shall terminate, and the Contestant shall be entitled to the return of the fees for the Contest, less the prorated share allocated to the BBQ Jackpot of the expenses incurred in connection with the event as of the date of the Force Majeure Event. Refund of the Fees as provided in this section shall be the exclusive remedy of the Contestant against the BBQ Jackpot in case the contest is cancelled or rescheduled through a Force Majeure Event. In the event of cancellation or unavailability for reasons beyond the control of the BBQ Jackpot, Contestant releases and holds all claims for damage and agrees that the BBQ Jackpot shall have no obligation except the above stated refund.
If you need to cancel, please be aware of the following refund policy:
Full refund (less any processing fees) if you cancel on or before Sept. 1, 2025.
50% refund (less any fees) if you cancel on or before Oct. 31, 2025
No refunds will be issued after Oct. 31, 2025, unless we are able to fill your spot with another team on the waitlist.
View the full dessert rules here.
View the full Turkey Smoke rules here.
Accommodations & Attractions
Yes! The Silverton Casino and Hyatt Place are both within walking distance of the event.
There are several other hotels both on and off the Strip within 10 miles of the event.
The Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is only seven miles from the event.
Cracker Barrel shares a parking lot with Bass Pro Shops and is within walking distance.
Inside the Silverton, you’ll find a collection of restaurants including a steakhouse, catina, sushi restaurant, noodle house, cafe, Johnny Rockets and a Starbucks. .
Las Vegas has a variety of public transportation options, including public buses, taxes, Uber and Lyft. There are also several car rental options at the airport.
Absolutely everything! From taking a gondola down a canal to indoor and outdoor skydiving to watching concert or fabulous show, the possibilities are quite endless. If you’re not sure where to start, check out Visit Vegas.
The F1 Vegas Grand Prix is Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. Visit their official website for ticket details.
