The American Cheese Society Judging and Competition, a technical and aesthetic evaluation of American-made cheeses, will be held May 18-22, 2026, at the Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus. The Judging and Competition (J&C) is now held separately from the Annual Conference, with the Award Ceremony being held during the Conference. You can view previous winners here.

If you have questions about entering the ACS Judging & Competition, you may find your answer(s) in the Frequently Asked Questions, or don't hesitate to Contact Us.

IMPORTANT DATES

Call For Entries: January 6 - March 19

• Early Bird Pricing: January 6 - Feb 3
• Regular Pricing: Feb 4 - March 19

Receiving: May 18 - 20

Judging: May 21 - 22

The ACS Competition shines the spotlight on American cheesemakers by showcasing their talents and work as leaders within the industry, both for their excellent cheesemaking and commitment to food safety. Growing from just 89 entries years ago, the ACS J&C welcomed 1,592 cheeses and cultured dairy product entries in 123 categories in 2025 and awarded 407 medals.

ACS celebrates and respects the craft of every cheesemaker who enters the ACS Judging & Competition. It is the ACS members’ efforts that continue to collectively advance the quality and character of American cheeses.

Note: only ACS organizational members are eligible to submit their cheese into the competition. You can read more and join ACS here.