It’s Rodeo Season in Texas
In partnership with: Texas Department of Agriculture
The smell of the dirt, the mist of show products in the air, the sights of champion handshakes and the sounds of the buzzer can only mean one thing – it’s rodeo season in Texas. For generations, Texans have prepared to compete in shows and rodeos with the best stock the state has to offer.
From award-winning steers to record-breaking times, Texas livestock showmen and rodeo cowboys and cowgirls have consistently showcased their skills. These time-honored traditions continue to grow and thrive. Here are three of the top competitions in Texas.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
At Fort Worth’s oldest and largest public event, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR) is a tradition dating back to 1896. More than 1.2 million visitors come tot he 23-day celebration annually. The FWSSR honors the state’s agricultural roots through a range of entertaining and educational activities.
“For the Fort Worth community, FWSSR is more than just an event,” says Kyler Hardegree, FWSSR’s communications assistant. “It’s where the West begins and where ‘y’all’ means all,” he says.
In celebration of Texas’s rich rodeo tradition, FWSSR highlights specialty rodeos such as the Cowboys of Color Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebration, and the Ranch Rodeo for working cowboys. Junior Sale of Champions winners keep 100% of their proceeds, while Calf Scramble winners earn money to fund the purchase of a calf for next year’s stock show.
See more: Rodeos and Livestock Shows Make Positive Impact on Texas
With its entertaining and family-friendly approach, FWSSR promotes Texas agriculture by investing in young people, educating the public, and providing a platform for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
“Modern rodeos like the FWSSR serve as living tributes to our state’s agricultural legacy,” Hardegree says. “These events are not only celebrations of sport and heritage but also powerful reminders of the importance of agriculture to our past, present and future.”
Rodeo Austin
One of the largest rodeo and livestock events in Texas has been held since 1938, originally known as the Baby Beef Show.
Today, Rodeo Austin attracts up to 500,000 attendees each March and provides a platform for youths across the state to display their talents and earn scholarship opportunities.
“Our mission is growing the next generation of Texas kids,” says Glen Alan Phillips, CEO of Rodeo Austin.
With support from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Rodeo Austin prioritizes creating a fun and educational atmosphere for competitors and attendees alike with the goal of educating the public about rodeo’s traditional ties to agriculture and food production.
As of May 2025, Rodeo Austin had already provided $3.7 million in scholarships to youths across Texas.
See more: Texas Livestock Shows are More Than a Contest
The thousands of attendees at each year’s event can enjoy the sights and sounds of the rodeo while supporting Rodeo Austin’s nonprofit mission.
“Agriculture is so important not only to the state of Texas but to the United States as well,” Phillips says. “The rodeo honors the history and the tradition of the cowboy way of life.”
“It is very important to keep these traditions going because I feel like that’s what Texas is based on – agriculture and livestock.”
– Jett Hale, Reserve Grand Champion Steer at 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
For junior competitors at livestock shows across the state, the thrill of victory makes the hours of hard work and dedication worthwhile. At the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR), 17-year-old Jett Hale won the Reserve Grand Champion prize in the Junior Market Steer category with his Charolais-cross, Mike, which was auctioned for $690,000 – a new record for the event.
“It’s very humbling,” Hale says.
Hale, who grew up on a ranch in Miami, Texas, has been a regular attendee of the HLSR all his life.
Hale won his first Reserve Champion prize in 2018 when he was in fourth grade.
In a full-circle moment, the Champagne Cowgirls, a local group of 20 philanthropist women, bought his prize-winning steer at both events.
See more: Texas Youth Saddle up at the Rodeo
With hopes of attending Texas A&M, Hale strives to keep the livestock tradition of his family and community going by building on the leadership skills he learned in Roberts County 4-H and FFA.
“It is very important to keep these traditions going because I feel like that’s what Texas is based on – agriculture and livestock,” Hale says.
For now, Hale has 21 more steers to raise for next year’s competitions, with an eye on the grand champion prize next time.
Upcoming Rodeos in Texas
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: Jan. 16-Feb. 7, 2026
San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo: Feb. 5-22, 2026
San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo: Feb. 12-March 1, 2026
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo: March 2-22, 2026
Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show & Rodeo: March 12-22, 2026
Rodeo Austin: March 13-28, 2026