Everything you’ve always wanted to know about The American rodeo—including when Riley Green takes the concert stage—but weren’t sure who to ask.
The Lowdown
You get to watch the biggest names in rodeo compete against rising stars for a shot at a life-changing $1 million payday—and catch amazing entertainment, including headliner Riley Green.
The Format
The top five ranked Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association automatically qualify to compete. Other rodeo competitors, from teenagers to weekend warriors, qualify through the Contender Tournament events held around the United States, Canada, and Brazil. Fifteen competitors in each event advance to The American Contender Tournament Finals on April 11. The top five in each event then advance to The American Rodeo on April 12.
The Twist
Each event winner earns $100,000, but contestants who qualify for the main event through the Contender Tournament are eligible for a $1 million bonus if they win their event. If more than one contender wins, the $1 million is split equally among those winners. (Earnings don’t count toward PRCA or WPRA standings.)
The Soundbite
“For up-and-coming athletes, this is a big stage they get the chance to compete on, and against the pros and legends of the sport,” says Deirdre Lester, CEO of Teton Ridge, the parent company of The American Rodeo. “It’s an opportunity for life-changing money.”
The Events
Saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, barrel racing, and breakaway roping. The arena layout has been tweaked this year, with timed events starting at the first-base side and barrel racers entering on the third-base side.
The Venue
A lot of dirt has to be dumped at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas—the home of the Texas Rangers baseball team—to convert it into an action-packed rodeo arena.
The Numbers
The American Rodeo is the highest-paying single-day rodeo event of the year. In 2024, more than $4.6 million was awarded to athletes at the event. Since its inception, The American, now in its second decade, has shined a spotlight on the Western industry for a broad audience, with 40,000 attending in person and another 5.7 million watching on Fox Sports Network in 2024.
The New & Notable
Fans who purchase an Infield Party pass will be allowed on dirt level for the events and the concerts. “Think of it like the infield at the Kentucky Derby,” Lester says. “It’s a fun party zone!” If you can’t attend The American in person, you’ll be able to watch it live on Fox Sports 2 on Friday, and Fox Sports 1 and Fox on Saturday. “We will be live for every round of the weekend. No more delayed videos or action!”
The Entertainment
It’s a star-studded country music lineup. Bailey Zimmerman kicks off the weekend Friday, April 11. Then Riley Green brings his chart-topping Southern sound to headline the Globe Life Field stage on Saturday, April 12, with Ella Langley as special guest. Green and Langley will close the weekend with a performance that promised to be unforgettable for music and rodeo fans alike.
2025 AMERICAN RODEO CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
April 11–12, 2025
Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
The American Rodeo Contender Tournament Finals
April 11, 2025
Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
Entertainment: Bailey Zimmerman
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Event begins at 7:30 p.m.
The American Rodeo
April 12, 2025
Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
Entertainment: Riley Green and Ella Langley
Gates open at 10:30 a.m.
Event begins at noon.
Tickets & TV Coverage
Single-day or two-day tickets, Infield Party passes, and parking passes are available at globelifefield.com.
The American Rodeo Contender Regional Finals will be televised live on Fox Sports channels.
Subscribe to Teton Ridge Plus for alerts and ticket offers at americanrodeo.com.
Get to know entertainment headliner Riley Green.
From our April 2025 issue
PHOTOGRAPHY: (All images) courtesy Teton Ridge
