Summer’s basically toast, and you know what that means: it’s crunch time for Placer County’s biggest, sauciest party of the year. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 12 Bridges Park, because if you’re still sitting on your hands about grabbing Rib Cook-Off tickets, we need to talk. Tickets do not last forever, folks, and neither does the good parking (spoiler: there isn’t any). This year’s lineup of Grand Champion and Pit Master sponsors is stacked, and they brought some genuinely great deals to the table. More on that in a minute.
Why the Final Weeks Matter
Here’s how this always plays out. Rib cook-off tickets sit there untouched for weeks while everyone tells themselves they’ll “get to it,” and then suddenly it’s the last week and everybody’s scrambling at once. Slots fill up, pricing tiers shift, and the folks who wait too long end up missing out on the full tasting experience. Do future-you a favor: lock it in now and cross it off the list.
Here’s what your Rib Cook-Off tickets actually get you this year:
| Ticket Type | Price | What’s Included |
| Adult Ticket | $45 | 10 rib tasting tickets, access to KCBS judging area viewing, live music, and vendor village |
| Kids Ticket (12 & under) | $35 | 5 rib tasting tickets, access to all family-friendly activities and entertainment |
Tasting tickets are your golden pass into every competing team’s tent, so the more you’ve got, the more pitmasters you can put to the test before you cast your People’s Choice vote.
Meet This Year’s Grand Champion & Pit Master Sponsors
Let’s be honest, most “sponsor shoutout” sections are boring. Not this one. This event doesn’t happen without the businesses who show up at the top sponsorship levels of this KCBS rib competition, and this year they didn’t just bring their logos, they brought actual deals for the community. We’re talking real, use-it-today discounts, not some vague “call for a quote” nonsense.
Grand Champion Sponsors
- Tytanium Ideas is offering 50% off a logo design and/or a starter website build. If your brand’s been looking a little dusty, this is your sign.
- NewWRX Plumbing will take 15% off whole-house filtration/testing or $100 off tankless water heater cleaning. Because your pipes deserve some love too.
- Lincoln Urgent Care
- Rock Pro’s Landscape Supply
Pit Master Sponsors
- Crawford Orthodontics is offering 10% off braces or Invisalign. Get that smile as legendary as your rib-eating face.
- Briley Real Estate
- Executech
- LIG
- Golden State Customs is throwing down 20% off any service, tint, paint protection film, custom wraps, all of it.
- Atlas Disposal
- Nighthawk Inspections is offering $40 off a standard home inspection (or $25 off a new build or 1-year warranty). Buying or selling a house this fall? This one’s a no-brainer.
- Green Solutions
These are the businesses putting their money where their mouth is for Placer County’s biggest BBQ weekend, and honestly, every one of them deserves a follow, a visit, or a “hey, saw you at the Rib Cook-Off” the next time you’re in their door.
Check the sponsorship packet for what’s left. Sponsoring at these levels isn’t just a logo slapped on a banner. It’s a direct line to the 5,000+ people who showed up, plus a full year of exposure across one of the largest BBQ competition Placer County events all year.
What Your Ticket Supports: Teen Challenge Lincoln
Okay, real talk for a second. Proceeds from this year’s event go toward building a basketball court for the men and youth at Teen Challenge Lincoln, a residential recovery program helping people find freedom from addiction and trauma. For the folks in that program, a court isn’t just a place to shoot hoops. It’s structure, community, and something to compete for and celebrate together. Read more about this year’s beneficiary on our site, or check out Teen Challenge’s work directly.
So yeah, this is the part that doesn’t show up on the tasting menu. Every ticket, every sponsorship, every raffle entry helps build something permanent. Grab your ticket this month and you’re not just planning a fun Saturday, you’re helping pour concrete for a court that Teen Challenge Lincoln will use for years to come. Ribs with a purpose.
Skip the Line: Get Your Wristband Early at Soundcheck
Here’s a tip: you do not have to wait until event day to pick up your tickets. On Friday, September 18, 6:00 PM till 10ish, swing by the Tavern Bar at the 12 Bridges Park for “Soundcheck”. Grab your wristband early, hang out, have a drink, enjoy a low-key preview night. Do this, and on event day you stroll right past the ticket line while everyone else is standing there sweating it out.
If you’re the type who likes to beat the crowd, or you just don’t feel like standing in line while people around you argue about parking, Soundcheck is the move.
Clay City Championship Series
Every guest gets “Clay City” playing card to vote for their favorite rib team. Once you decide who deserves bragging rights, drop your tokens into that team’s container.
A few things to know:
- Tokens are usually due around 5:45 PM
- Voting may close early if ribs run low
- Teams collect votes throughout the event
Once supplies start getting low, organizers begin counting. So yes, your vote actually matters.
Event at a Glance
| When | What’s Happening |
| Fri, Sept 18, 6:00 PM | Soundcheck at the Tavern Bar (12 Bridges Park, 2450 Eastridge Dr, Lincoln, CA 95648), pick up your wristband early and skip the line on event day |
| Sat, Sept 19, 3:00 PM | Gates open |
| 3:30 PM | All the KCBS teams turn in their goodies |
| 4:00 to 7:00 PM (ish) | Rib tasting is open until teams run out |
| 4:00 to 6:00 PM | The Zaddies kick off the live music |
| 5:00 to 6:00 PM (ish) | KCBS judging takes place |
| 6:30 PM (ish) | BURKE takes the stage |
| 8:00 PM until close | DJ Kool Kuts kicks off the after party |
| 8:30 to 8:45 PM (ish) | Winners announced for People’s Choice, Clay City, and KCBS placements |
Get Involved Before the Big Day
Whether you’re buying tickets, eyeing a sponsorship, or just spreading the word to friends across Placer County, the final weeks before the event are prime time to get involved. A few ways to help make this year’s event a certified banger:
- Grab your tickets early instead of waiting for the week-of scramble
- Share the event with your people on social media
- Ask your favorite local business if they’ve considered Rib Cook-Off sponsorship this year
- Follow along for updates on this year’s KCBS-sanctioned competition and the Clay City Championship matchup
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many tasting tickets come with an adult ticket?
A: Adult tickets are $45 and include 10 rib tasting tickets, giving you plenty of chances to sample teams across the park.
Q: What do kids’ tickets include?
A: Kids 12 and under can get in for $35, which includes 5 rib tasting tickets and access to all family-friendly activities.
Q: What time do gates open?
A: Gates open at 3:00 PM, with rib tasting starting at 4:00 PM and running until about 7:00 PM or until teams run out, whichever comes first.
Q: Can I skip the ticket line on event day?
A: Yes. Come to Soundcheck at the Tavern Bar on Friday, September 18, the evening before the event, pick up your wristband early, and you’ll walk straight into the park on Saturday instead of waiting in line.
Q: Where does ticket and sponsorship money go?
A: Proceeds from this year’s event go toward building a basketball court for the men and youth at Teen Challenge Lincoln, a local recovery program.
Q: Is this a KCBS rib competition?
A: Yes. The 12 Bridges Rib Cook-Off is a KCBS rib competition, meaning teams compete for official recognition and prize money using established judging standards, alongside People’s Choice voting from the crowd.
Q: How do I become a sponsor this close to the event?
A: Sponsorship spots are still available but limited, especially at the Grand Champion and Pit Master levels. Reach out through our sponsorship page as soon as possible.
Q: Are there deals from sponsors I can use even if I’m not competing or sponsoring?
A: Absolutely. Several of our sponsors, including Tytanium Ideas, NewWRX Plumbing, Crawford Orthodontics, Golden State Customs, and Nighthawk Inspections, set up exclusive community discounts just for Rib Cook-Off fans. Check the links above to claim yours.