With the opportunity for qualifying athletes to earn the historic $2 million bonus, and the opportunity for invitees to earn $100,000 and the coveted title within a week’s reach, all eyes look in anticipation to the many developing storylines.
Among those storylines are several unique family ties and relational angles, distinctive to the nature of American Championship Weekend’s format and intensifying opportunities.
Taking center stage May 22-23 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, the event will feature the sport’s elite from all disciplines, all in pursuit of rodeo’s crown jewel title.
A legendary father-and-son duo will leave fans and athletes alike on the edge of their seats as they look to witness history. The most decorated cowboy of all time, 26-time World Champion Trevor Brazile, has teamed up with his son Treston, a Weatherford College rodeo commit, for a memorable showing. The duo advanced from the West Regional Finals and will look to embrace the historic and sentimental opportunity as qualifiers.
Roughstock riding will feature several sets of brothers and relatives, making it a true family event.
In the bareback riding, brothers Leighton and Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, Texas cowboys, qualified from the Central Regional Finals and are both eligible for the $2 million prize. Leighton, the elder brother and previous National Finals Rodeo qualifier, will look to compete against — and cheer on — his younger brother and 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days champion Kade. In the saddle bronc riding, Canadian brothers Logan and Dawson Hay will compete alongside each other against the competitive field, which will also feature invitees and brothers from the famed Wright dynasty: Statler Wright, Stetson Wright and Ryder Wright.
Two-time NFR qualifying calf roper Dylan Hancock qualified for his position in the calf roping, as did his younger sister, Macy, in the breakaway roping. Macy, a 19-year-old Cisco College rodeo athlete, will look to her brother’s guidance in the box as they both hope to share in the $2 million bonus.
Macy, like many athletes with strong family ties to the sport, credited her support system — including her brother, who joined her in the box during the Oklahoma City Central Regional Finals.
“We have such a great support system,” she said. “It was cool to have my brother there. I’m thankful for all he does to help me in the arena.”
NFR-qualifying calf roping brothers Ty and Joel Harris will also look to capitalize on the family momentum. Ty will compete as a qualifier eligible for the $2 million, while Joel will compete as an invitee eligible for the $100,000 title paycheck.
With so many storylines already taking shape, the 2026 American Championship Weekend is set to be one for the record books. Don’t miss a minute of the action. Friday night from Arlington will unfold live on FS2 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Fans can then tune in live on FS1 for the Showdown Round at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by the Championship Round at 5 p.m. ET on FOX.
Get Cowboy+ for access to the Semi-Finals and Championship pre-shows.