LYNCHBURG, Tenn. (WGNS News) - The small town of Lynchburg, Tennessee, usually home to around 500 to 600 residents, is swelling to over 50,000 visitors as it hosts the 37th Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue. Known throughout the culinary community simply as "The Jack," the event is widely considered the "Super Bowl of barbecue". Click play above this article to hear all the details in 10-minutes or less.

Broadcast veteran Chip Chapman of WDEF-TV in Chattanooga, who has been involved in every single iteration of the event over its 37-year history, joined WGNS radio on Friday morning (10/09/2026) to discuss the festivities (click play above this article to hear all the details in 10-minutes or less). Chapman, a certified Kansas City Barbeque Society judge and pitmaster turned event MC, outlined the strict entry requirements that make the tournament so prestigious. To qualify for the official entry drawing out of a Jack Daniel's whiskey barrel, teams must first win a state-level championship or higher.

This year's competition brings together roughly 82 domestic teams from across the continental United States alongside 20 international teams traveling from around the globe. Competitors are competing across multiple categories, including pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, seafood, and a dessert division where the only requirement is that a single person can carry the entry in.

Despite taking place in Moore County - a dry county where alcohol sales remain prohibited—the distillery's flagship event stands as a major point of pride and a world-class spectacle. The weekend schedule includes the Barbecue Bash in the Hollow, live music, and Friday evening festivities leading into Saturday's main competition to crown the next Grand Champion.

Podcast Above This Article (Click Play Above Article to Hear Interview): Host Scott speaks with Chattanooga broadcast veteran Chip Chapman about the 37th Annual Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue, affectionately known as "The Jack," in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Chip shares insights from his 37-year history with the competition, detailing how over 100 top-tier domestic and international teams qualify for what is widely considered the "Super Bowl of barbecue". From smoked brisket and ribs to a no-rules dessert category, discover what makes this iconic gathering in a dry county one of the premier culinary traditions in the world.

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