Smokin' on the Rio BBQ Cook-Off

04/29/2026

🍗 Appreciation Post: Our Incredible Sponsors
The smoke has cleared, but our gratitude is stronger than ever! 💨🔥
Smokin’ on the Rio wouldn’t be the world-class championship it is today without the unwavering support of our incredible sponsors. From the teams on the grill to the scholarships and youth sponsorships we provide, every success we achieve is built on the foundation of their generosity.
To our partners: thank you for believing in our mission, supporting the youth of the RGV communities, and helping us make a lasting impact on the next generation. We truly could not do this without you! 🤝
Please join us in thanking these businesses and individuals that make it all possible. Let’s show them some RGV love in the comments! 👇
#956 BBQ

03/21/2026

We want to thank all of our supporters and sponsors that have brought Smokin’ on the Rio to the level we are at. With your support we are able to participate in this awsome event!!!

02/27/2026

02/17/2026

Santa Rosa High School Tribal Grillers!

“Big shoutout and GOOD LUCK to the Santa Rosa High School Tribal Grillers! 🔥

For the first time in school history, our team is competing at the Smokin’ on the Rio World Championship BBQ Cook-Off in Mercedes this weekend. These students have been putting in serious work perfecting their smokes, rubs, and techniques—now it’s time to show the Valley (and beyond) what they’ve got!

We are proud of you all for representing SRHS and chasing this milestone. Bring home that hardware, Grillers!

”

02/17/2026

H-E-B

02/17/2026

🔥Our high school division was a huge success!

We had 6️⃣ more teams register than last year!

These teams also competed with all of the adult teams!

Thank you so much to H-E-B and for all of the support and the awsome prizes for these High Schoolers we can keep growing every year!!!

Congratulations to our Grand Champion High School Team Donna High School Future Pitmasters and Reserve High School Champion Team Weslaco ISD Future Pitmasters!!!!!!!

📷 Tj Tijerina

02/17/2026

The champion’s circle photos!!!

More photos from the whole event to follow!!

Huge thank you to our title sponsor H-E-B and their program!

World Champion - Los Buzzards/ EJ Deleon

Reserve World Champion- Si Quema BBQ
Bobby Rey Delgado

Thank you Tj Tijerina for the awesome photos!

02/16/2026

Congratulations to our Reserve Grand Champion Si Quema BBQ, Head cook Bobby Rey Delgado!

02/16/2026

Congratulations to our WORLD CHAMPIONS Los Buzzards! Head cook Ej Deleon!!!!

Headed to Las Vegas to participate in the BBQ World Cup & Expo!!!

02/15/2026

Here are the results from the cookoff!!

Thank you so much to all of the teams, our vendors, the Board of Directors, the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show staff, our awsome volunteers and all of our supporters. Without everyone’s help, it couldn’t be possible!

We had a great cookoff and we will see you all next year!