Billed as the “World Series of Rodeo,” The Hondo Rodeo Fest returns Nov. 7–9 at Chase Field, bringing together top-tier rodeo competition and major concert acts for a three-day celebration of rodeo, country music, and the Western lifestyle.
Showcasing top invited athletes in professional rodeo, fans can also look forward to a Western fan festival and nightly concerts featuring artists including Kid Rock, Nickelback, Treaty Oak Revival, Jon Pardi and Jason Aldean.
The premier Western sports event will feature top invited athletes in all disciplines, highlighting the best cowboys and cowgirls in the sport. The elite eight invitees will compete on one of rodeo’s largest and most prestigious non-sanctioned stages– bringing the best of the best together. Featuring industry icons, rising stars and the sport’s brightest talents, the lineup truly embodies its “World Series of Rodeo” mantra.
In the bareback riding, 2024 Hondo Rodeo Fest Champion Jacob Lees will look to defend his title against a competitive field, including 2022 World Champion Jess Pope.
The steer wrestling lineup will offer athletes and fans alike a preview of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, with all eight competitors set to appear in Las Vegas this December.
Similarly, in the team roping, all Hondo Rodeo Fest headers competing at Chase Field have also qualified for the 2025 NFR. These top-tier headers will team up with eight of the industry’s best heelers, including veteran and World Champion Cory Petska.
Fresh off his sixth Canadian Professional Rodeo Association championship, Zeke Thurston will square off against a stacked field of saddle bronc riders, including Kade Bruno, Dawson Hay and Lefty Holman.
Fans can expect electrifying performances in the tie-down roping as well, as current world standings leader Riley Webb squares off with Shad Mayfield, with fellow World Champions Tuf Cooper and Shane Hanchey also in the mix.
Headlining the barrel racing is none other than 2024 Hondo Rodeo Champion Lisa Lockhart, the winningest barrel racer in WPRA history. Lockhart will be joined by four-time World Champion Hailey Kinsel and seven-time NFR qualifier Emily Beisel.
In the breakaway roping, fans can look forward to thrilling runs from reigning Hondo Rodeo Champion Martha Angelone, four-time NFBR qualifier Josie Conner, five-time qualifier Taylor Munsell and 10-time World Champion Kelsie Domer.
Bull riding will feature 12 of the PBR and PRCA’s best, including John Crimber, Ky Hamilton and Wacey Schalla.
New this year is the addition of The Hondo Rodeo Queen, who will serve as an ambassador for the event. Arizona’s own Raylen Riggs, 19, of Queen Creek, will hold the inaugural title, representing the “World Series of Rodeo” and the Western industry with pride.
Riggs follows her family’s legacy of rodeo queen excellence, guided by her sister, Miss Rodeo America 2023 Kennadee Riggs. For Raylen, the opportunity to represent The Hondo reflects both her family’s deep roots in the sport and Arizona’s Western heritage.
“I love The Hondo because it pays respect to the Western way of life,” Riggs said. “My grandma always said the West was won on faith and our country thrives on family—and that’s exactly what The Hondo stands for: faith, family and freedom.”
A sophomore studying biological sciences at Arizona State University, Riggs also emphasized the importance of Phoenix as The Hondo’s home. “Arizona has such deep roots in the Western way of life,” she said. “Having the World Series of Rodeo here reminds people of our state’s prominence in rodeo.”
“The Hondo is the best of the best,” Riggs said. “The best announcers, the best rodeo athletes, the best country music artists—everything about The Hondo is above all. It’s the best of the best people putting it on.”
Tickets and lineup updates are available at thehondorodeofest.com. Whether you’re a rodeo enthusiast or a live music fan, The Hondo Rodeo Fest offers an energetic mix of Western sport and arena entertainment under the bright Phoenix lights—at the home of the Diamondbacks inside Chase Field.