What You Need to Know About Indiana’s Largest BBQ Competition in 2025

The 5th Annual Hoosier BBQ Classic returns to Indiana in 2025 with live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and, of course, barbecue!

It may be cold in Indiana now, but the competition is already heating up for the next Hoosier BBQ Classic in 2025. This event will play host to the state's largest barbecue competition, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) — the largest competitive barbecue organization in the world. In short, this isn't your average backyard cook-off. This event will see seasoned pitmasters go head-to-head for a prize pool worth $8,500. Plus, there will be plenty of fun for the whole family.

Date Set for 2025 Hoosier BBQ Classic

The 5th Annual Hoosier BBQ Classic will take place at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Indiana, on June 6th and June 7th, 2025. This year, the event will be hosted in cooperation with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that helps provide education assistance to the families of fallen or disabled veterans. Funds raised during the event will help the organization continue providing scholarships for the families of those who gave all for their country.

What to Expect at the 2025 Hoosier BBQ Classic

In addition to the KCBS-sanctioned barbecue competition, the event will feature a food truck festival, a family fun zone, a beer garden, and live music. A specially hand-picked number of food trucks will begin serving food at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 8th, and will remain open until 6 p.m. Live music will feature Tyler Poe and The Volunteer Railroad, who will hit the stage at 3 p.m. that Saturday. Just make sure to bring a couple of lawn chairs for the show. You can learn more and find out how to get involved by visiting the Hoosier BBQ Classic website.