More than 400 of the best collegiate rodeo athletes are set to return to Casper, Wyoming, for this year’s College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 14-20, 2026, at the Ford Wyoming Center. Nowhere else in the world can you find the most elite college athletes and animals going head to head in the dirt, competing to be crowned the best! This is more than just your average rodeo – the CNFR is a celebration of our western tradition and athletic excellence that once you’ve experienced, you’ll never forget. See you in Casper!
College National Finals Rodeo
June 14-20, 2026
Ford Wyoming Center
1 Events Dr. Casper, WY 82601
Where Champions are Made
The CNFR is where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. National team championships are also awarded to both men’s and women’s teams.
Over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from over 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year. Contestants compete all year in one of the NIRA’s 12 regions for a chance to compete at the CNFR, with the top three students in each event, and top two men’s and women’s teams from the NIRA’s 12 regions, will qualify.
“We’re looking forward to being back in Casper and bringing the best college rodeo action to Wyoming. This is college rodeo’s crowning event and there won’t be a better place to be this June than The Cowboy State.”
Jim Dewey Brown
NIRA Commissioner
Get Your Shopping On!
Get to the Ford Wyoming Center early for each CNFR performance and dive into the excitement of the tradeshow! With a wide array of vendors offering everything from western hats and clothing to unique leatherwork, jewelry, and more, it’s the perfect place to explore and shop for some truly authentic western gear and accessories.
Best of all, admission to the tradeshow is included with your performance ticket. Doors open at 12 pm for Sunday’s Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway, 6:30 am for Monday & Tuesday morning Slack rounds, and 5:30 pm for nightly performances from Tuesday through Saturday. Don’t miss out! This is the perfect way to get into the rodeo spirit before the performances begin!
The Mercantile at the WYO Sports Ranch
The WYO Complex is proud to bring The Mercantile to the College National Finals Rodeo in 2026! The WYO Sports Ranch, located in the parking lot of the Ford Wyoming Center, will be transformed into The Mercantile, a trade show with up to 200 exhibitors covering over 130,000 square feet.
The WYO Sports Ranch facility is owned by a 501(c)3 non-profit, the WYO Complex, whose mission is to provide Wyoming and the surrounding community a unique, state-of-the-art facility for competition, training, and special events, while emphasizing the importance of physical and mental health and promoting an active lifestyle for our youth.
The Mercantile was created as an annual fundraiser for the WYO Sports Ranch. Dollars raised from the trade show will help contribute to the operations of the facility. All booth rental fees at The Mercantile are a donation to WYO Complex!
An important note: The Mercantile is open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm each day from June 14 to 17
Schedule
Sunday, June 14th
- 10:00 a.m. – Cowboy Church Service
- Location: Fairgrounds
- 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – The Merchantile Open
- Location: Wyo Sports Ranch
- 1:00 p.m. – “Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway” Matinee
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- Mutton Busting at Intermission
- 4:00 p.m. – “Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway” Evening
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
Monday, June 15th
- 6:30 a.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 a.m. – Slack
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – The Merchantile Open
- Location: Wyo Sports Ranch
Tuesday, June 16th
- 6:30 a.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 a.m. – Slack
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – The Merchantile Open
- Location: Wyo Sports Ranch
- 5:30 p.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 p.m. – 1st Performance
- 1st Go-Round Ring Presentation after Steer Wrestling
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
Wednesday, June 17th
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Softball Tournament
- Location: Crossroads Park
- 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. – The Merchantile Open
- Location: Wyo Sports Ranch
- 5:30 p.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 p.m. – 2nd Performance
- 2nd Go-Round Ring Presentation after Steer Wrestling
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
Thursday, June 18th
- 9:00 a.m. – Golf Tournament
- Location: Paradise Valley
- 5:30 p.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 p.m. – 3rd Performance
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- Ribbon Night at the Rodeo – Cancer Awareness
Friday, June 19th
- 8:00 a.m. – NIRA Coaches Breakfast
- Location: Ramkota Hotel
- 5:30 p.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 p.m. – 4th Performance
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
Saturday, June 20th
- 8:00 a.m. – Short-go leaders TV head shots
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center Summit Room
- 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Special Olympics Rodeo
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 11:30 a.m. – Cinch Style Show
- Location: Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center
- 2:00 p.m. – Cowboy Church Service
- Location: Fairgrounds
- 5:30 p.m. – Tradeshow Opens
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
- 7:00 p.m. – Championship Round
- 3rd Go-Round Ring Presentation after Steer Wrestling Championship awards immediately following the rodeo
- Location: Ford Wyoming Center
Plan Your Ultimate Casper Getaway
Casper is home to iconic landscapes waiting to be explored, touchable history waiting to be experienced, amazing food waiting to be devoured, and endless things to do around every corner.
“Rodeo is such an important part of America’s story,” says Annette Pitts, CEO of Visit Casper. “As we celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year, we’re honored to welcome this event – and the athletes, teams, families, and spectators – back to Casper.”
Looking for a place to eat, stay, or play while visiting Casper for the CNFR? Check out VisitCasper.com to help make your trip unforgettable!
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