The smell of barbecue will once again fill the air near the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the 2026 Hall of Fame Ribs Burnoff returns Memorial Day weekend with three days of food, entertainment and family-friendly activities.
The annual event will run Friday, May 22, through Sunday, May 24, in Stadium Park’s main parking lot along Fulton Road, just a short walk from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Admission is free all three days.
The event, temporarily relocated this year, will feature award-winning rib vendors, live concerts, family attractions, a car show, fireworks and the annual rib judging competition.
Six vendors are slated to compete in this year’s burnoff, including Armadillo’s BBQ, Austin’s Texas Lightning BBQ, Chicago BBQ, Fat Freddies BBQ, Off the Bone BBQ and Uncle Bacon’s BBQ.
A panel of six judges will determine this year’s winners during the judging competition from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Judges include Cleveland Cavaliers in-game host Kierra Cotton, Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham, independent journalist Jordan Miller, USA TODAY food and drink reporter Bev Shaffer, Constellation sustainability executive Guy Souheaver and Canton Mayor William Sherer II.
Beyond the barbecue, the event will feature free live entertainment throughout the weekend on the Roto-Rooter Music Stage.
Old Skool Cleveland will perform Friday evening, followed by The Buck Naked Band and The Shootouts on Saturday. ZOSO, a Led Zeppelin tribute act, will headline Sunday night before the fireworks display presented by Rice’s Landscapes Redefined.
Family attractions scheduled throughout the weekend include the Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit, a Safety Forces Touch-a-Truck event, a curated vendor market and a car show presented by the Minerva Motor Club.
Event hours are 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Guests can park for free in the Respect Lot and Honor Lot, with additional parking available in the Hall of Fame Upper Parking Lot after 4 p.m. Shuttle service will transport guests to the event area. Road closures will begin at 9 a.m. each day.
In the event of severe weather, organizers said guests will be moved inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum.
The Hall of Fame Museum will also maintain extended holiday weekend hours, open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the event.
