World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
The World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, also simply known as "The Cookoff," started in 1974 and has consistently drawn massive attendance numbers for the three-day event, drawing a record 244,184 visitors in 2011. It takes place on the southern parking lot of Reliant Stadium, with over 350 teams participating every year, and is generally considered a "Hot Ticket," as most are for members or by invitation only. While the event is open to the general public, those that can get into the tents are generally allowed an unlimited amount of food and beverages.
| BBQ contest attendance | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 25,459 | 25,627 | 15,946 | 29,570 | 21,113 | 28,415 | 30,421 | 33,568 | 34,223 | 35,934 | 36,800 | |
| Friday | 56,459 | 61,564 | 39,532 | 60,580 | 61,735 | 50,929 | 66,850 | 70,121 | 76,889 | 68,198 | 83,711 | |
| Saturday | 78,813 | 84,237 | 89,098 | 93,189 | 57,188 | 67,481 | 93,642 | 103,460 | 106,528 | 117,097 | 123,673 | |
| Totals | 161,219 | 171,428 | 144,576 | 183,339 | 140,036 | 146,825 | 190,913 | 209,313 | 217,640 | 221,229 | 244,184 |
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