Think Texas. Think rodeo. It’s the official state sport. It’s been that way ever since the first cowboy was tempted—or maybe challenged—to see just how long he could stay on top of an angry, bucking bull.
Pecos lays claim to the first official rodeo in Texas and annually hosts the West of the Pecos Rodeo (June 25-28, 2025). Pecos also is home to the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame. “Celebrated as the Home of the World’s First Rodeo, the West of the Pecos Rodeo has been a proud tradition since 1883, showcasing the best of rodeo talent year after year,” the Hall of Fame website boasts.
Today, just about every Texas town of any size hosts an annual rodeo, sometimes in conjunction with a county or regional fair or a livestock show.
The top three rodeos by size in Texas are the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In the modern era, the actual rodeo is only part of the action. The big three feature concerts, fine cuisine, cultural events, carnivals, and much more. These major events ain’t your great-granddaddy’s rodeo.
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
January 17-February 8, 2025
fwssr.com
Dating back to 1918, the Stock Show Rodeo was first held in the Northside Coliseum, then the Will Rogers Coliseum, and is now held in Dickies Arena. Running for 23 days, there’s a variety of Rodeo action. During the “Best of the West” Ranch Rodeo, top ranches compete for the “Best of the West” title in seven events from January 17-18. The Best of Mexico Celebración is held January 19 with the Mexican charro, thrilling trick riders, mariachis, folklorico dancers, and more. Taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Cowboys of Color Rodeo spotlights African American, Hispanic and Native American cowboys and cowgirls competing in traditional rodeo events like bull riding, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping. January 21-22, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Last Cowboy Standing Rodeo features 40 of the world’s best bull riders competing across the two-night, ride-to-advance format set to pay the winner $50,000 of the $100,000 total purse. From January 24 to February 8, the ProRodeo Tournament features 56 rodeo contestants competing in eight events for tournament titles.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
February 6-23, 2025
sarodeo.com
The 2025 rodeo features 19 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) performances followed by entertainment, along with special rodeo performances on specific nights. Each action-packed PRCA Rodeo begins with the patriotic Grand Entry and features bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. Don’t miss the mutton bustin’ and the calf scramble as well! The Ranch Rodeo specialty showcases six teams of five cowboys from working ranches competing in events such as wild cow milking, steer loading, and roping and tying. The Noche del Vaquero Rodeo specialty is a celebration of South Texas heritage which features Ballet Folkloricó, escaramuzas, bull & bronco riding, charro, and mariachi exhibitions.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 4-23, 2025
rodeohouston.com
As the world’s richest regular season rodeo, The Rodeo Houston Super Series is a 20-day tournament-style competition that crowns a champion in eight events. RODEOHOUSTON is an official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals Rodeo (NFR) money event, with earnings from RODEOHOUSTON counting toward qualification for the NFR and the PRCA World Standings. Champions are crowned in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and women’s barrel racing, and breakaway roping.
