How the Mother Road Chili Championship Works

All eligible Route 66 cook-offs will run exactly as they always have, and winners will continue to qualify for the World Championship under existing ICS rules. The Mother Road Championship adds an exciting extra layer of competition:

• Compete in any ICS-sanctioned category

• Earn points for top finishes at eligible Route 66 events:

  • 1st Place – 3 points

  • 2nd Place – 2 points

  • 3rd Place – 1 point

• Points accumulate across all eligible events throughout the year

• After the final cook-off, points are tallied and one cook will be crowned the Mother Road Chili Champion

The 2026 Mother Road Chili Champion will earn:

• Automatic qualification in all four (4) ICS categories at the 2027 World Chili Championship Cookoff (WCCC59), celebrating the 2025-2026 competition season

• A $500 travel stipend to help fuel the journey

• A commemorative trophy

• And, of course, bragging rights for life