World Series of Barbecue kicks off in new venue

World Series of Barbecue begins at new venue with limited public events

The World Series of Barbecue kicks off at its new venue with fewer public events due to ongoing construction, but competitors are determined to keep the tradition alive.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —

The World Series of Barbecue is underway at the new American Royal venue, where ongoing construction has led to scaled-down public events this year, but competitors are still bringing their best to the grill.

The gates are opening Friday night for Pigapalooza, a ticketed event, which will be the only event open to the general public this weekend. Due to construction at the new venue off 118th Street, there will be no main stage or other event activities.

Despite the changes, the competition still is bringing in over 350 teams to compete Saturday and Sunday, including Mark Lambert’s.

“When they moved it here, we were going to continue to pick up the tradition. We’re going to pare it down. We’re not going to have quite as many teams. We’ve only got four hogs this year, but the party’s going to be just as big,” Lambert said.

The World Series of Barbecue has a long-standing reputation for excellence, this year bringing in more than 30 international teams.

Markos Kupp and his team from Estonia traveled to Kansas City for the first time this year.

“We have heard so many times, so many good stories about, this peak competition. That’s why we are here. And, we have been several times in, Tennessee, in Lynchburg in and Jack Daniels has been wonderful time in America, and we from originally from Europe. We always love to come back,” Kupp said.

With the new American Royal venue still a work in progress, fans will see fewer activities and teams this year. “Learning to be patient, you know,” one attendee said.

Rising food costs have also impacted the event.

“I’m paying one and a half times, almost one to three-quarter times what I was last year. That’s crazy,” Michael Antonopoulos said.

But many said they still look forward to this competition every year.

“I look forward to any competition. But this one in particular, because we get to have more of our friends come out and enjoy the food with us on Friday night,” Antonopoulos said.