The 2025 COJO Championship Event, hosted by multi-Platinum recording artist Cody Johnson, is returning to Belton, Texas, October 7-12 at the Cadence Bank Center Arena, blending high-caliber team roping competition with music and community. This year’s event lineup features some exciting additions: an All Ladies Day spotlighting Breakaway Roping and Ladies Team Roping, and a dedicated Youth Junior Team Roping day – both aimed at empowering women and the next generation of champions. This is a full-on Western experience you don’t want to miss, and I’m counting down the days until it all kicks off in the Lone Star State!
October 7–12, 2025
Cadence Bank Center Arena
301 West Loop 121 Belton, TX, 76513
Continuing the Momentum in 2025
Last year’s inaugural COJO Championship Event set the bar sky-high, paying out an impressive $845,000 in cash and awarding over $500,000 in physical prizes. Competitors rode away with everything from Bill Fick Ford trucks and Bloomer Trailers to custom guitars, Gist buckles, Cactus saddles, Smarty trainers, Turtlebox speakers, Resistol hat packs, Cactus Gear horse blankets, Blue Otter sunglasses, Henry Big Boy .44 Magnum rifles, and Clint Orms money clips.
Adding to the prestige, both the Breakaway Roping and the COJO Open are now officially recognized as American Contender Series Events, making them must-compete stops for ropers aiming for the top!
“My goal is to build the biggest roping in the United States,” says Johnson. “When I step out on stage, I don’t want to just play a show. I want it to be the best show you’ve ever seen. I want this roping to be the same way. This hat is real, this buckle is real, this music is real and this roping will be real, too.”
Champs for Charity
Champs for Charity: Cowboy Auction, Dinner, and a COJO Acoustic Set returns Friday, October 10th, benefiting the Texas FFA. This year’s event will kick off with a hosted social hour, followed by a laid-back evening where guests are encouraged to don their favorite western attire. Enjoy a delicious dinner, buy your favorite cowboy or cowgirl, bid on exclusive auction items, and end the night with an intimate acoustic performance from Cody Johnson. The event will take place at Schoepf’s BBQ outdoor concert venue in Belton, Texas.
Schedule
Tuesday, Oct 7
- 9:00AM: EXCLUSIVE VIP/SPONSOR GOLF TOURNAMENT
- 8AM check in. Tee off at 9AM
- This will be closed to the public and for VIP/Sponsors/Open Contestants only.
- 1:00PM: American Super Contender BREAKAWAY ROPING
- Presented by Tito’s Vodka
- (19 & Under Incentive)
- 4:00PM (Approx.): ALL GIRL OPEN TEAM ROPING
- #9.5 Incentive (5.5 Inc Heeler Cap)
- 6:00PM: Jr Evening of Tacos and Motivation with Guest Speaker!
- Free for All Youth Ropers
Wednesday, Oct 8
- 9:00AM: #10.5 – 19 & Under Junior Roping
- Presented by Cedar Gap Wealth Management
- 12:00 NOON (Approx): Open 19 & Under Junior Roping
- Presented by Cedar Gap Wealth Management
Thursday, Oct 9
- 9:00AM: THE CoJo Qualifier (16.5 Incentive – Guaranteed $5,000)
- American Super Contender
- Presented by Bill Fick Ford
Friday, Oct 10
- 9:00AM: #12.5
- 11.5 Incentive – 7.5 Inc Heeler Cap
- CHAMPS FOR CHARITY
- Cowboy Auction, Dinner, and a COJO Acoustic Set. Western Attire. Schoepf’s BBQ outdoor concert venue – Belton, TX
Saturday, Oct 11
- 9:00AM: Pro AM Celebrity Invitational
- Presented by Bloomer Trailers
- 1:00PM: Breakaway Short Round
- 1:30 PM (Approx): COJO Short Round
- 6:00 PM DOORS: THE COJO OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY
- Featuring performances from Jack Ingram & Bri Bagwell. Schoepf’s BBQ outdoor concert venue – Belton, TX.
Want More COJO?
If you can’t make it to Belton, or just want to experience as much COJO as possible, head out to the Hondo Rodeo Fest at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ, November 7-9! The Hondo Rodeo’s invite-only format featured world champion cowboys and cowgirls across eight categories, all competing for a $1 million prize purse. Hondo CEO James Trawick broke on KMLE Country in Arizona today that country artist Cody Johnson is going to rope at the Hondo. During the day, fans could also experience a free Western culture fan festival with more music, food, shopping and innovative brand activations.
Make sure to stick around after the last bull bucks to watch some of the biggest artists in rock and country music – including COJO himself on November 8, with Jon Pardi opening.
Last Updated on 09/08/2025 by Carly Billington
About the Author:
CLN Community & Event Sponsor
