2026 BBQHost Grill Master Challenge Official Contest Rules
1. Sponsor and Administrator
The Challenge is sponsored and administered by Hidden Treasures Collective LLC, operator of BBQHost.com (“Sponsor”).
2. Eligibility
Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old at entry.
3. Challenge Period
Entries open September 28, 2026 and close October 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Sponsor systems are the official timekeeping device. Up to 10 finalists are selected November 5, subject to quantity of qualifying entries. Voting runs from November 9 through November 20. Winners are verified November 24 and promoted November 27–30.
4. How to Enter and Entry Limit
Visit the official entry page during the entry period @ BBQHost.com Contest, complete the entry form, upload one eligible original video through the authorized upload link, accept every required certification and permission, and submit. An entry is complete only after the form and linked video archive are received. One entry is permitted per person and email address. No purchase is required.
5. Video Requirements
The video must demonstrate a grilling or smoking recipe, technique, skill, or closely related outdoor-cooking subject; be the entrant’s original work; comply with published technical limits; and be suitable for a general audience. Entrants must keep the original file and provide a replacement or permissions if requested.
6. Original Content and Third-Party Rights
Entrant represents that the entry is original and all people, music, images, recipes, footage, trademarks and other third-party elements are owned, licensed, or used with sufficient permission. Releases are required for identifiable people. Brand appearances must be truthful and may not imply endorsement. Material connections, gifted products, compensation, employment and affiliate relationships must be disclosed.
7. Prohibited Content
Entries may not contain unlawful, dangerous, hateful, obscene, defamatory, deceptive or infringing material; unsafe fire or food practices; unauthorized personal data; malicious code; or content that harms another person, Sponsor, or Challenge integrity.
8. Editorial Review and Finalists
Sponsor screens entries for completeness, eligibility, rights, safety, technical quality and compliance. Qualifying entries are evaluated for useful instruction, originality and personality, food appeal and finished result, safe practical technique, and storytelling/video quality. Sponsor selects up to 10 finalists on November 5, subject to the final quantity of qualifying entries.
9. Community Voting and Scoring
Only manually approved finalists appear on the ballot. One accepted verified ballot per email address is permitted for the entire Challenge. Final scores are 60% BBQHost editorial judging and 40% verified community voting. Ties break first by editorial score, then originality and creativity. The ballot requires a name and verified email address. Automated, duplicate, purchased, exchanged, scripted or manipulated votes are rejected or held for review.
10. Winner Determination and Verification
Potential winners are determined after reconciliation of valid votes and editorial scores. They must verify identity, eligibility and rights. Nonresponse or noncompliance may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate.
11. Guaranteed Prizes
The Champion receives $1,000 in cash, cash-equivalent gift card, sponsor-provided loot, BBQHost.com swag and the Champion’s Badge. Second Place receives $500in cash, cash-equivalent gift card, sponsor-provided loot,BBQHost.comswag and the Finalist’s Badge. Third Place receives $250 in cash, cash-equivalent gift card, sponsor-provided loot, BBQHost.com swag and the Finalist’s Badge. Guaranteed BBQHost-funded prize value is $1,750. Sponsor-provided products may be added only after a confirmed written commitment and Rules update. Sponsor may substitute an item of equal or greater value where lawful.
12. Taxes
Winners are responsible for applicable taxes and costs not expressly included. Sponsor may require tax forms and report prize value as required by law. Prizes are nontransferable except as stated or at Sponsor’s lawful discretion.
13. Publicity and Likeness
Except where prohibited, entrants grant Sponsor permission to use submitted video and other content, names, likenesses, voices, biographies, statements and approved entry material for administration, editorial coverage, publicity and promotion without additional compensation.
14. Content License
Entrants retain copyright ownership. By entering, each entrant grants Sponsor, its affiliates, successors, licensees, service providers and channel partners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual and sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, edit, crop, excerpt, caption, translate, reformat, adapt, embed, publish, republish, distribute, display, perform, promote, advertise and monetize the entry in connection with the Challenge, BBQHost.com, related Hidden Treasures Collective, LLC properties, social and video platforms, newsletters, advertising and legally appropriate sponsor campaigns. Sublicensing is limited to parties reasonably necessary to exercise these rights. This is a license, not a copyright assignment.
15. Sponsor and FTC Disclosures
Sponsor, prize-provider, affiliate, gifted-product and paid relationships will be disclosed as required by law and BBQHost.com policy. No impressions, placement or media spend is guaranteed unless separately agreed in writing.
16. Disqualification and Technical Failures
Sponsor may disqualify entries or votes for misrepresentation, infringement, unsafe or prohibited content, manipulation, interference or rule violations. Sponsor is not responsible for interrupted networks, incompatible devices, corrupt files, late or incomplete transmissions, unauthorized interference or events beyond reasonable control. Sponsor may suspend, modify or cancel if fraud, force majeure or technical failure materially impairs administration, subject to law.
17. Release and Limitations
To the fullest extent permitted by law, entrants agree to release Sponsor and the final defined released parties from claims arising from participation, prize acceptance or permitted use of an entry, except where prohibited. Final released-party, indemnity and liability language requires counsel approval.
18. Privacy for Contest Rules
Entry and voting information may be used to administer the Challenge, verify eligibility, prevent fraud, communicate with participants, award prizes, maintain records and exercise licensed content rights. Marketing consent will not be inferred from entry. Final retention and service-provider disclosures require legal review. See the BBQHost Privacy Policy.
19. Governing Law and Disputes
Final governing-law, venue, dispute-resolution, class-action-waiver and damages-limitation language are governed and mitigated by the laws of the State of California.
20. Winner Notification and Winners List
Potential winners will be contacted using submitted information and must respond within the stated notice period. A winners list will be available through BBQHost.com or by written request after verification and public announcement.
