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Rodeo News

A Legacy of Heart: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 2026

Houston, Texas – You can almost feel the vibration of the arena floor as you witness the most elite cowboys, cowgirls, and animal athletes pouring every ounce of passion and grit into the moment. From March 2nd to 22nd, 2026, NRG Stadium transforms into a stage of raw spirit, where you’re invited to step back in time and reconnect with the very soul of Texas heritage. This is your chance to see legends made in real-time, to feel the thrill of the chase, and to share in the sheer joy of the ride. Grab your tickets and join us at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, because an experience this authentic only happens once a year.

Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Authentic Texas Grit. Real Texas Impact. Since 1932.

There is a profound sense of purpose that settles over the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo when you realize that every cheer for a legendary ride since 1932 has helped build a $660 million legacy for the youth of Texas. From March 2nd–22nd, 2026, you are participating in a generational act of love for the future of our state. As you feel the thrill and pride of Western heritage come alive, you’ll realize that your presence is what makes this the world’s largest heart-driven event. Grab your hat and dust off those boots, it’s time to be part of the magic that enriches our lives and empowers our children.

Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Experience Pre-Rodeo Events

You can already feel the excitement as the city prepares for a kickoff that’s just as legendary as the main event itself. Get ready for the adrenaline of the rodeo run and the shared pride of the downtown parade, pulling you into a season where the fun starts. With a full range of ticketed and free festivities, headlined by the world-famous smoke and spirit of the Bar-B-Que Championship, there is a moment waiting for everyone to reconnect with the heart of the West. Every second counts when the magic is this thick. Click here for the full guide to the pre-rodeo festivities and start your journey today.

Feel the Grit of the Rodeo Houston Super Series

Imagine the sheer adrenaline of a tournament where every roping, every run, and every ride is a high-stakes battle for a share of a $2,533,500 purse. This is the Houston Super Series, a 20-day test of mettle featuring the best in bareback, bull, and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, and women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping. You can’t help but feel the thrill of their hard work as each event champion walks away with $65,000, round winnings, and the iconic invitation to return to the dirt. Because this is an official PRCA NFR money event, the pressure is as real as the PRCA World Standings it determines, making it a must-see spectacle of pure dedication. Don’t just hear about the grit; witness it. Click here for the full guide to Rodeo Houston and join the legacy in the heart of Texas.

“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community.”

–Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Special Days

Every year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ transforms NRG Park into a vibrant crossroads for millions of visitors from every imaginable background. These Special Days serve as a dedicated tribute to the rich diversity of the Houston community and the entire Lone Star State, ensuring the spirit of Texas heritage feels like home for everyone. It’s a time when the world’s largest rodeo becomes a shared celebration of the unique cultures that make this state legendary.

  • Opening Day: Monday, March 2, 2026
  • Armed Forces Appreciation Day: Wednesday, March 54, 2026
  • Family Wednesdays: March 4 & 18, 2025
  • Sensory Friendly Day: Thursday, March 5, 2026 
  • Black Heritage Day: Friday, March 6, 2026
  • First Responder Day: Monday, March 9, 2026
  • Community Day: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
  • Volunteer Appreciation Day: Thursday, March 12, 2026
  • Go Tejano Day: Sunday, March 15, 2026

*For more information on these Special Days, please click here.

Special Children’s Events

  • Top Hands Horse Show
  • Lil’ Rustlers Rodeo
  • Special Children’s Committee Day Tours
  • Performance Nights
  • Sensory Friendly Day

*For more information on Special Children’s Events, please click here.

The Dirt Settles, the Concerts Ignite

In Houston, a legendary day at the rodeo deserves an even more legendary after-party. Every evening, the city’s energy centers on its state-of-the-art stage as top-tier music artists deliver performances that define the season. For the 21+ crowd, the celebration continues at The Hideout, where the honky-tonk tradition is alive and well, all included with your NRG Park admission. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the authentic sounds and spirit of the Lone Star State long after the cowboys and cowgirls have left the arena. Don’t let the magic end at the buzzer. Click here to explore the nightly festivities and join the tradition.

Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Credit: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Call for Exhibitors & Contestants

At its core, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ is a celebration of the hard work and talent found in our exhibitors and contestants. They provide a world-class platform for a wide array of competitions, including prestigious livestock and horse shows, the iconic calf scramble, and fan favorites like Mutton Bustin’, alongside professional auctions, judging, and contests. Each event offers a unique way to engage with the spirit of the Lone Star State and test your mettle against the very best. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a newcomer looking for your first win, they have a place for you in the heart of the action. Click here for the full guide to competing and see why everything is bigger in the Houston arena.

Explore Attractions & Activities

Experience the very heart of Houston’s heritage at a destination where agriculture and entertainment unite to create something truly legendary. Beyond the arena, the grounds come alive with the educational spirit of Agventure and the Ranching and Wildlife Expo, the tradition of the auctions, and the pure joy found at the petting zoo and The Junction Carnival, and more. This is a landscape built for those who appreciate the finer side of the Rodeo, featuring an elite selection of NRG Park Shopping and Dining, the Champion Wine Garden, and the refreshing energy of the Topo Chico Oasis and the Coca-Cola and Miller Lite Ice Houses. With a state-of-the-art drone show lighting up the night, it is a complete immersion into the spirit of the West. Discover why this is the city’s most anticipated season. Click here for the full guide to the attractions.

Honoring Tradition, Inspiring Dreams: Let’s Rodeo!

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a living legacy that carries the torch of Texas heritage, strengthens the bonds of our community, and inspires the next generation of dreamers. This March, our shared values come alive at NRG Stadium as we honor traditions and create unforgettable memories in the heart of the arena. Be a part of the next incredible chapter in this storied history and join the Cowboy Lifestyle Network for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo celebration from March 2nd to 22nd, 2026. Let’s rodeo, secure your place in the legacy today by grabbing your tickets at rodeohouston.com and witness the story unfold in Houston, Texas!

Sponsors

Thank you to all of the outstanding sponsors.

Wrangler

The Western Wear icon since 1947, Wrangler is an authentic American brand with a rich legacy rooted in the Western Lifestyle. The brand is the title sponsor of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and supporter of hundreds of western events across North America. From the greatest rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in the world, like Stetson Wright, JB Mauney, and Hailey Kinsel, to headlining country music artists, George Strait, Aaron Watson, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson, Wrangler is the brand of choice for the biggest stars in the West. Long Live Cowboys! Long Live Cowgirls!

Houston Wrangler Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Bottoms with $10.00 Mail-in Shirt Rebate!

Promotion runs from February 25th – March 24th at Cavender’s Boot City, Wayne Workwear and J&K Work Clothes

Wrangler Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Bottoms with $10.00 Mail-in Shirt Rebate!
Wrangler Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Bottoms with $10.00 Mail-in Shirt Rebate!
OFFER VALID ON ALL MEN’S, WOMEN’S OR YOUTH WRANGLER® COWBOY CUT JEANS, SHIRTS OR JACKETS. PAY FOR THE TWO HIGHER PRICED ITEMS AND THE THIRD OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE IS FREE. OFFER NOT VALID ON SALE/CLEARANCE ITEMS.
Wrangler Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Bottoms with $10.00 Mail-in Shirt Rebate!
Wrangler Buy 2 Get 1 FREE On All Bottoms with $10.00 Mail-in Shirt Rebate!

The Wrangler $10 Rebate For Each Shirt promotion is valid for men’s & women’s Wrangler shirts priced at $19.99 or more (after discount; before tax). Promotion excludes T-shirts & youth wear. Rebates postmarked by January 31, 2027.

Houston, Texas – You can almost feel the vibration of the arena floor as you witness the most elite cowboys, cowgirls, and animal athletes pouring every ounce of passion and grit into the moment.

From March 2nd to 22nd, 2026, NRG Stadium transforms into a stage of raw spirit, where you’re invited to step back in time and reconnect with the very soul of Texas heritage. This is your chance to see legends made in real-time, to feel the thrill of the chase, and to share in the sheer joy of the ride.

Grab your tickets and join us at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, because an experience this authentic only happens once a year.

Support local businesses and jobs by shopping in your community. Spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong, in your community!

About the Author:

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

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