RODEOHOUSTON 2026: Twenty Days of Tournament-Style Glory in the Rodeo Capital of the World
By Francis Page, Jr.
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February 17, 2026 (Houston Style Magazine) — When the lights rise inside RODEOHOUSTON, Houston doesn’t just host a rodeo—it stages a 20-day, high-stakes athletic spectacle that rivals any postseason playoff in professional sports. Welcome to the Super Series: a tournament-style showdown where grit meets glory and champions are crowned under Texas-sized pressure.
With a staggering $2,533,500 total payout, RODEOHOUSTON stands as one of the richest stops on the professional rodeo circuit. Each event champion walks away with $65,000, plus accumulated round winnings, a custom-made saddle, an iconic championship belt buckle—and a guaranteed return invitation the following year. Even more significant, RODEOHOUSTON is an official Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) National Finals Rodeo (NFR) money event. That means every dollar earned in Houston counts toward PRCA World Standings and qualification for the NFR in Las Vegas. In rodeo terms, that’s career-defining.
The Format: Built Like a Playoff Bracket
RODEOHOUSTON’s structure is precision-designed for drama and fairness. The competition begins with five three-day Super Series, each featuring eight elite athletes in eight classic rodeo disciplines:
Bareback Riding • Saddle Bronc Riding • Bull Riding • Steer Wrestling • Tie-Down Roping • Team Roping • Women’s Barrel Racing • Breakaway Roping
Across three go-rounds per series, the top four money winners in each event advance to one of two Semifinal rounds. Ten athletes compete in each Semifinal event. From there, the stakes rise even higher.
The top four from each Semifinal advance directly to the Championship Round. The remaining six athletes get one more shot in one of two Wild Card rounds, where only one competitor per event punches the final ticket to Championship Saturday.
Then comes the ultimate test.
Championship Saturday: Ride Again for the Crown
The Championship features ten athletes in each event. The top four performers immediately compete again in the electrifying Championship Shootout Round, where a single ride, run, or rope determines the event champion—and the $65,000 prize.
It’s sudden-death rodeo at its finest.
2026 Super Series & Championship Schedule
All events take place at NRG Stadium:
Super Series I Monday, March 2 – Wednesday, March 4, 6:45 PM
Super Series II Thursday, March 5 – Saturday, March 7 (2:45 PM on Saturday)
Super Series III Sunday, March 8 (2:45 PM) – Tuesday, March 10
Super Series IV Wednesday, March 11 – Friday, March 13
Super Series V Saturday, March 14 (2:45 PM) – Monday, March 16
Semifinals Tuesday, March 17 & Wednesday, March 18 – 6:45 PM
Wild Card Rounds Thursday, March 19 & Friday, March 20 – 6:45 PM
RODEOHOUSTON Championship Saturday, March 21 – 2:45 PM
For Houston Style Magazine readers, Houston families, sports fans, and rodeo enthusiasts across Texas and beyond, RODEOHOUSTON delivers more than entertainment—it celebrates Western heritage, athletic excellence, and the competitive spirit that defines our city.
In Houston, we don’t just host champions. We build them.
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Francis Page, Jrfpagejr@stylemagazine.com7139275444