The 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown; Presented by Dead End BBQ and Elm Hill Bologna

Location: Knoxville, TN
Date: 05-09-2026

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A New Chapter in Bologna History Awaits on May 9

Registration will open soon, so keep checking back and follow uson social for updates.

After an unforgettable showdown last year, the Ultimate Bologna Showdown is back—and the bar has officially been raised. In an eight-minute spectacle that left the crowd stunned, Joey Chestnut defended his title and shattered expectations, devouring an astonishing 15.75 pounds of smoked bologna, setting a new World Record in the process. The competition was fierce, the atmosphere electric, and the results cemented this event as one of the most thrilling stops in competitive eating.

The Ultimate Bologna Showdown Returns — May 9
Knoxville, get ready to do it all again—bigger, louder, and meatier. On Friday, May 9, the Ultimate Bologna Showdown storms back into the RecSports Field Complex, bringing together Major League Eating’s elite competitors for another high-stakes battle for smoked bologna supremacy and a $10,000 prize purse. Presented once again by Dead End BBQ and Elm Hill Bologna, this isn’t just an eating contest—it’s a full-throttle celebration of bold flavor, fierce competition, and record-breaking ambition.

Eight Minutes. Endless Bologna. One Champion.
Competitors will face down towering plates of rich, smoked bologna and have just eight intense minutes to eat as much as possible. Every bite matters. Every second counts. With last year’s world record looming large, the question isn’t if history will be made—it’s who will make it. Will Joey Chestnut return to defend his crown? Can challengers like James Webb or Patrick Bertoletti close the gap? Or will a new contender rise to claim the bologna belt?

Fueled by Flavor
None of this would be possible without the passion and craftsmanship of Dead End BBQ and Elm Hill Bologna, whose dedication to quality and flavor powers both the competitors and the crowd. Their commitment to this event has quickly turned it not just into a can't miss stop onthe circuit, but THE destination for competitive eating fans and competitors.

Be There When It Happens
Join us at 12:00 PM on May 9 at the RecSports Field Complex in Knoxville, TN, and experience the intensity, excitement, and pure spectacle of the Ultimate Bologna Showdown—because legends aren’t made quietly, and records are meant to be challenged.

$10,000 TOTAL PRIZE PURSE!
1st $5,000 2nd $2,750 3rd $1,300 4th $650 5th $300

The contest will take place at 12PM EST on Saturday, May 9th, 2026 at the RecSports Field Complex, 3620 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37919!

About Dead End BBQ

Dead End BBQ started as one big neighborhood block party, where over 40 locals came together to enjoy a community pig roast in honor of Memorial Day 2000. At first, this exclusive celebration was a coveted experience for select neighbors, who gathered to break bread and hone their barbecue skills at the end of a dead-end street. But by the next year, it evolved into an annual gathering, serving more than 500 hungry neighbors and community members. “Friends and neighbors were always raving about the food and saying we needed to enter BBQ competitions. So, around 2004, we started on the national competition circuit and a few years later, we became the State Champions of Tennessee. Then, in 2008, we were selected to represent the state at the Jack Daniels World Championship Invitational Barbecue competition. After that national recognition, we knew we had a great product and decided to go for it. We opened a custom-designed restaurant space about a year later.” - George Ewart, Co-Owner Over the years, Dead End has evolved into more than just a place to fill up on traditional comfort food with a twist. It’s become a community staple—bringing picnic-style BBQ plating and a wide collection of Knoxville memorabilia to locals and visitors from all over the nation. Beyond serving guests, Dead End continues to elevate its community by supporting youth programs, teaching the art of BBQ through cooking classes, and giving back to local organizations and causes (which you can learn about on the restaurant’s gallery walls). Today, Dead End’s goal is the same as it was on day one: To bring people together over great food.

About Elm Hill Bologna

Resonating with Nashville culture, like the neon glow of Lower Broadway and the sinuous sounds of steel guitars, is our Elm Hill brand of meats. Born in the Music City and beloved by meat eaters everywhere, Elm Hill has been serving delicious hot dogs, bologna, hams, and specialty meats for over 55 years. With iconic items like the Jumbo Pork and Beef Franks and the seasonal favorite, Beef Spiced Round, we look to constantly push the boundary of culinary cuisine. So whether you’re hosting a Memorial Day cookout or slicing a holiday ham at Christmas, let Elm Hill take center stage and give your mouth the encore it deserves.

CLICK HERE for more information about Dead End BBQ and follow them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok!

CLICK HERE for more information about Dead End BBQ and follow them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram!

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*All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and fully acknowledge and understand the inherent dangers and risks associated with participating in an eating contest. The applicant further acknowledges and understands that the MLE/IFOCE coordinates with event sponsor(s) to select and approve eligible participants, and that the MLE/IFOCE shall decide, at its sole discretion, whether an applicant is eligible to participate in any eating event, and/or related activities. The MLE/IFOCE may revoke an applicant's eligibility to participate in the eating contest, or related activities, at any time, for any reason, at its sole discretion. The MLE/IFOCE and the event sponsors reserve the right, at any time, to change any and all details concerning the event, including, e.g., time, duration, location and prize structure.