Texas rodeos deliver authentic charm and crowd-pleasing excitement
By Kristen Cerney
Texas Rodeos: Tradition, Community and Opportunity
Since the late 19th century, Texas has celebrated Western American roots and heritage in ranching through rodeos. These events showcase the skills and techniques ranchers use in their daily work with livestock and mold them into a competitive sport. Since their inception, rodeos have brought communities together and strengthened their bond, creating a sport rooted in comradery and friendly competition.
Texas rodeo events deliver unmatched value for sports planners, group travel planners, and event rights holders looking to capture exciting community spirit. Planners can rely on versatile venues built for large crowds made up of a loyal, growing audience.
Designing Rodeos for Capacity and Comfort in Texas
In Texas, rodeo events are planned with two things in mind: welcoming crowds at a large capacity and on-site event services. The best facilities are capable of handling a throng of spectators, with plenty of seating availability, easy-access parking, and accessible entry points. As the crowds move effortlessly into the venue, they can enjoy delicious food and drinks at concessions. The facility should have ample space for locker rooms and stabling areas for competitors and livestock.
Experience the Best Rodeos Texas Has to Offer
To kick off the rodeo season, Odessa holds the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo annually at Ector County Coliseum. From its humble beginnings as a stock show to growing into the competitive rodeo it is today, Sandhills embodies the spirit of West Texas. This event ranks among the top 25 PRCA rodeos in the U.S., featuring disciplines like bull riding and barrel racing. The 42-acre Coliseum seats 8,000 and boasts 145,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
The adrenaline-pumping action continues at the Coliseum with the return of the PBR Chevron Showdown, a professional three-team bull riding event followed by country legend Dwight Yoakam.
Additionally, Odessa also hosts the Odessa College NIRA Wrangler Rodeo, landmarked as the first rodeo of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Southwest Region Spring season. Throughout West Texas and New Mexico, 18 schools make up the Southwest Region, and Odessa College shines through with multiple top standings in saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, and more.
PRCA rodeo competitions
Beaumont holds the YMBL South Texas State Fair & Rodeo each spring at Ford Park. The event features PRCA professional rodeo competitions, livestock shows, youth auctions, rides, and entertainment. With affordable entry tickets into the fair and free parking, the Beaumont community enjoys unmatched entertainment without breaking the bank. The rodeo is held in Ford Park Entertainment Complex. Situated on Interstate 10 between Houseton and Lake Charles, the venue boasts five versatile facilities within 221 acres: Ford Arena, Ford Exhibit Hall, Ford Pavillion, Ford Midway, and Ford Fields.
Some of the best rodeo around
While Round Rock doesn’t host a traditional rodeo, it does feature a rodeo-style event. The Sports Capital of Texas Motorcycle Rodeo held its second annual event this year on February 27 to March 1, 2025. This event transforms the classic rodeo into an invigorating motorcycle show where riders must navigate through a series of obstacles and display extreme control over their vehicle.
Additionally, the “Bulls in the Ballpark” two-night bull riding event brings rodeo-style competition to Dell Diamond baseball stadium each November. Jam packed with 35 bull riders competing for $37k each night, this event is brimming with excitement and grit.
Laredo hosts multiple rodeo events, including the Laredo PRCA Pro Rodeo and Bullfighting (including “Peewee” youth shows) held at the 1848 Event Center (LIFE Downs). The offered rodeo arena is spacious and versatile, perfect for any performance or competition. To top it off, Webb County does not charge for parking.
There are also scheduled Rodeo & Livestock Shows at local fairs and expo centers, one of the most well known being the Laredo International Fair & Exposition (LIFE). It hosts competitive livestock events and other attractions, such as bull riding concerts and goat shows, throughout the year.
Arlington hosts one of the most high-profile rodeo events in Texas, The American Rodeo Championship Weekend, held at Globe Life Field May 22 – 23, 2026. This major multi-event rodeo has unmatched competition with a record-setting $5 million in payouts. Some of the top stars in the world of rodeo will compete in all eight traditional rodeo disciplines. The venue is sandwiched between I-30 and E Division St.
Located 40 minutes from McKinney, the famed Mesquite Championship Rodeo has been serving up wholesome family fun and heart-pounding rodeo action that includes bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping for more than 65 years.
In 1993, the Texas State Legislature crowned Mesquite as the Official Rodeo Capital of Texas. Throughout its history, Mesquite hosted more rodeo events than any other city in the Lone Star State.
