99th National FFA Convention & Expo: Four Days of Leadership, Agriculture & Opportunity in Indianapolis
Rodeo News
If one event brings together the energy, ambition, and future of agricultural education like no other, it is the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo. From October 21–24, 2026, thousands of FFA members, advisors, teachers, families, and agricultural industry leaders will gather in Indianapolis for four days filled with leadership, education, competition, career opportunities, entertainment, and plenty of FFA pride.
Whether this is your first National FFA Convention or you’re making your annual trip to Indianapolis, the 99th Convention offers plenty of reasons to plan now.
The National FFA Convention Is More Than an Event
The National FFA Convention & Expo is designed to help the next generation of leaders discover where their FFA experience can take them.
Throughout the convention, attendees can take part in general sessions, competitive events, workshops, career experiences, award recognition ceremonies, service opportunities, and the massive Expo and Shopping Mall.
FFA describes the convention as an opportunity for members to discover who they are, who they want to become, and how they can make an impact on the world around them.
For students interested in agriculture, however, the possibilities extend far beyond traditional farming and ranching. Today’s agricultural industry includes careers in science, technology, business, natural resources, animal health, food production, engineering, and countless other fields.
Mark Your Calendar: October 21–24
The 99th National FFA Convention & Expo officially kicks off Wednesday, October 21, and continues through Saturday, October 24.
Wednesday, October 21
Convention gets underway with the Opening Session at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday also features competitive events, the Expo and Shopping Mall, delegate events, student and teacher workshops, Career Success Tours, the Student Showcase Stage, award recognition ceremonies, the convention concert, and rodeo.
Thursday, October 22
Thursday brings another full day of convention action, beginning with Opening Session 1B at 8 a.m.
Attendees can experience the Expo, competitive events, workshops, Career Success Tours, National Days of Service, the Student Showcase Stage, and award recognition programs.
General Sessions are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., with rodeo and hypnotist performances also taking place throughout the day.
Friday, October 23
The action continues Friday with General Sessions at 8 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.
The day also features the Expo and Shopping Mall, Career Success Tours, workshops, National Days of Service, the Student Showcase Stage, award recognition ceremonies, and rodeo events.
Saturday, October 24
The final day brings the American Degree Ceremony and the seventh General Session at 1:30 p.m.
For many FFA members, Saturday represents an especially meaningful conclusion to several days of competition, celebration, leadership, and connection.
Explore the Expo & Shopping Mall
One of the biggest attractions of National FFA Convention is the opportunity to experience the Expo firsthand.
The 2026 Expo will be open Wednesday through Friday, while the Shopping Mall will offer attendees additional opportunities to shop and explore throughout convention week.
The Expo is a chance to connect with agricultural businesses, organizations, and industry professionals while discovering products, services, technology, and career possibilities.
For students thinking about their future, it can also be an opportunity to see just how broad today’s agricultural industry really is.
Turn FFA Experience Into Career Experience
Career Success Tours return in 2026, allowing FFA members to get an up-close look at careers connected to agriculture and related industries.
Tours cover eight career areas:
- Agribusiness Systems
- Animal Systems
- Biotechnology Systems
- Environmental Service Systems
- Food Products and Processing Systems
- Natural Resources Systems
- Plant Systems
- Power, Structural and Technical Systems
Educational Tours will also be available, giving attendees opportunities to experience attractions throughout Indianapolis and beyond, including options such as the Indianapolis Zoo and Louisville Slugger Museum.
Put Leadership Into Action
Leadership at National FFA Convention isn’t limited to what happens inside the convention sessions.
The National Days of Service allow attendees to put the FFA mission into action through service projects during convention week.
For students, these experiences can be another reminder that leadership is not simply about receiving recognition; it is also about contributing to the communities around you.
Bring the Western Spirit to Convention
National FFA Convention isn’t all classrooms, workshops, and general sessions.
For those looking to add some Western excitement to their convention experience, the Three Hills Rodeo FFA Edition will take place at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Evening rodeo performances are scheduled Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. A Friday matinee is also scheduled, beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Rodeos are private events for registered convention attendees, so be sure to take care of convention registration before planning your rodeo experience.
More Entertainment During Convention Week
The entertainment lineup doesn’t stop with the rodeo.
The 2026 convention will also feature a private concert at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, along with hypnotist performances featuring Michael C. Anthony.
The concert is scheduled for October 21, while hypnotist shows are scheduled for Thursday, October 22.
Additional event tickets are available through the convention registration process, so attendees should review the current entertainment information and registration details when planning their trip.
Registration Is Now Open
If you’re planning to attend the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo, now is the time to get registered.
Full convention registration provides Wednesday-through-Saturday access and includes an opening session, General Sessions, the American Degree Ceremony, Expo, Shopping Mall, and Student and Teacher Workshops.
The current Early Bird Full Registration rate is $95 per person through September 30 at 7:59 p.m. EDT. After that, the standard registration rate is $115, with on-site registration increasing to $120.
Daily registration is also available for attendees who cannot participate in the entire convention.
Additional event pricing currently includes:
- Concert: $75
- Hypnotist: $25
- World’s Toughest Rodeo: $45
- Rodeo Shuttle: $13
- Career Success Tours: $30
Prices and availability are subject to change, so check the official convention registration page before making final plans.
Planning Your Trip to Indianapolis
If you’re traveling to Indianapolis for the convention, it pays to plan ahead.
Downtown Indianapolis is designed to make getting around relatively easy, with numerous restaurants, attractions, and hotels within walking distance of the convention area. Climate-controlled skywalks connect several downtown hotels and destinations with the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, providing an especially convenient option when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
The primary convention venues include:
- Lucas Oil Stadium – General Sessions
- Indiana Convention Center – Expo, workshops, and other convention activities
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Concert
- Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds – Rodeo and other activities
Attendees can also use IndyGo, rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, taxis, and other transportation options throughout Indianapolis.
Don’t Miss the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
From the sea of blue jackets filling downtown Indianapolis to the energy inside the General Sessions, Expo halls, competitive events, and rodeo arena, the National FFA Convention & Expo is an experience that brings the FFA community together from across the country.
For students, it can be a chance to compete, learn, serve, make connections, and explore future careers.
For advisors and educators, it is an opportunity to watch students grow and experience the possibilities that agricultural education can create.
And for families and supporters, it is a chance to witness the next generation of agricultural and community leaders in action.
When, Where & What to Know
What: 99th National FFA Convention & Expo
When: October 21–24, 2026
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
Main Venues: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana Convention Center, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Indiana State Fairgrounds
Registration: Now Open
Early Bird Full Registration: $95 through September 30, 2026
Don’t wait until the last minute to make your convention plans. Visit the official National FFA Convention & Expo website for registration, schedules, travel information, entertainment details, and the latest updates.
Last Updated on 09/20/2026 by Fernando Rosas Suarez
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