At a Glance
- The 129-year-old Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo runs Jan. 16-Feb. 7 and expects 1.2 million visitors.
- A $50 million renovation of the 90-year-old Will Rogers Coliseum debuts this year.
- New events include the $100,000 Pro Rodeo Rookie Rally on Jan. 22 and the FWSSR College Rodeo Finals on Feb. 4.
- Why it matters: The modernized landmark preserves Western heritage while expanding competitions that spotlight rising rodeo talent.
Fort Worth’s signature winter tradition gallops back into town Friday, launching 23 days of rodeo, livestock showcases, live music, and family attractions that organizers say define the city’s identity more than a century after the first hoof hit the dirt.
Derrick M. Collins reported for News Of Fort Worth that gates open Jan. 16 and close Feb. 7, with planners bracing for crowds topping 1.2 million-a turnout that would match recent years and cement the event as one of the nation’s largest indoor stock shows.
Historic Coliseum Reopens After Major Upgrade
The marquee change for 2026 sits inside the brick walls of Will Rogers Coliseum, where visitors will walk a freshly rebuilt concourse that still feels like 1936. The building turns 90 this year, and the Stock Show used the milestone to fast-track the first phase of a $50 million public-private overhaul timed to the venue’s centennial in 2036.
Matt Carter, president and general manager of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, said crews stripped the interior to the studs while protecting signature touches such as the barrel ceiling and terrazzo floors. “We really tried to take a lot of care to renovate it, but also maintain the history and the character that’s in this building,” Carter told News Of Fort Worth. “This building is really the Fenway Park of the Western sports industry.”
The upgraded concourse will host nightly professional rodeos, youth events, and two new high-profile contests added to this year’s bill.
New Rodeos Added to 2026 Lineup
Organizers booked two additional competitions designed to attract younger fans and give up-and-comers a bigger stage:
- Pro Rodeo Rookie Rally – Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s top first-year athletes battle for a $100,000 purse and an automatic berth in the elite Pro Rodeo Tournament.
- FWSSR College Rodeo Finals – Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Collegiate teams from Weatherford College, Tarleton State University, and other Texas programs square off inside Will Rogers Coliseum for the inaugural championship. The session is the only ticketed portion of the multi-day collegiate meet.
Carter predicts both events will sell briskly and expose new audiences to the sport. “These additions spotlight the next generation of competitors and give fans fresh storylines to follow,” he said.
Fan-Favorite Shows Return
Longtime spectators will recognize a slate of specialty rodeos that celebrate the region’s cultural mix:
- Best of the West Ranch Rodeo – Jan. 16-17
- Best of Mexico Celebration – Jan. 18
- Cowboys of Color Rodeo – Jan. 19
- Texas High School Rodeo Shootout – Feb. 7
Each performance highlights different aspects of ranch work, from team penning to bronc riding, and underscores the diverse communities that built Fort Worth’s ranching economy.
Volunteers Power the Show
Behind every gate latch and concession stand stands a small army of unpaid helpers. Mike Micallef, restaurateur and 30-year volunteer, told News Of Fort Worth the camaraderie keeps him coming back. “There are thousands of volunteers at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo,” Micallef said. “You might be out here, and somebody’s helping you unload the trailer… You may not know that guy’s the president of a bank or that woman is a lawyer. But we all come together to make this stock show happen.”
He credits the event with knitting the city together each January. “Everybody makes time to come out to the stock show,” Micallef said.
Ticket Options
Rodeo tickets include same-day grounds admission and remain available for most middle- and upper-bowl seats. Purchases can be made:
- Online at the event website or Ticketmaster
- In person at the Dickies Arena box office
- By phone at 817-502-0011
Organizers recommend early buying for the new Rookie Rally and College Finals, both of which are tracking ahead of last year’s pace, according to News Of Fort Worth‘s analysis.
