Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo: Preview, Format, and How to Watch

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is back for another installment of one of the most exciting rodeos of the year. Competitors battle it out for their share of more than $1 million in prize money at this legendary rodeo to kick off the Texas Swing.

FORMAT

Fort Worth’s tournament format consists of seven brackets with eight contestants competing in two Go-Rounds. The Top 2 in each bracket on money earned will advance to the Semifinals. Each bracket’s third-highest money earner will advance to the Wild Card Round.

After all seven brackets have completed their Go-Rounds, the highest money earner that has not moved on to the Semifinals will move on to the Wild Card.

The Top 2 in the Wild Card Round will advance to the Semifinals.

Overall, there will be two Semifinals consisting of eight contestants in each event with the Top 4 from each Semifinal advancing to the winner-take-all Final Round, which pays $20,000 to the champion.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Bracket 1 (Jan. 19 & 20)

Things kick off on Friday with Bracket 1. The bracket has some big names throughout all events. In bareback riding, Dean Thompson looks to follow up his great rookie season with another NFR qualification. He is riding against Luke Thrash, Andy Gingerich, and others.

It is a loaded field in steer wrestling with 2023 No. 3 Jesse Brown highlighting the field. He is bulldogging alongside fellow NFR qualifiers Kyle Irwin, Eli Lord and Tristan Martin among others.

In saddle bronc riding, 2023 World Champion Zeke Thurston leads the way in Bracket 1 as he competes aginst Q Taylor, Cole Elshere, Cort Scheer and more.

Bracket 2 (Jan. 21 & 22)

The bareback riding gets right down to it in Bracket 2 with 2023 World Champion Keenan Hayes as the marquee name. Cole Reiner, a veteran of the last four NFRs, is also up in Bracket 2.

In steer wrestling, the three-time defending World Champion Tyler Waguespack competes in Bracket 2 against fellow 2023 NFR qualifiers Dirk Tavenner, Stan Branco, Dakota Eldridge, and Jacob Talley.

It is shaping up to be an exciting two performances in tie-down roping as well with Shane Hanchey, Cory Solomon, Hunter Herrin, Haven Meged and Tyler Milligan all set to compete.

Bracket 3 (Jan. 23 & 24)

Bracket 3 features some of the best barrel racers in the world with Lisa Lockhart, Shelly Morgan, Hailey Kinsel, Jackie Ganter, and Ivy Hurst all competing for their shot at moving on to the Semis.

In bull riding, Creek Young is the name to watch. Young recently won the Bulls Night Out Xtreme Bulls in Fort Worth with a 92-point and 87.5-point ride. He competes against Maverick Smith, Trevor Reiste and more.

Bracket 4 (Jan. 25 & 26)

There are sure to be fireworks in bareback riding in Bracket 4. The field features Jess Pope, Kade Sonnier, Tanner Aus, Bronc Marriott and more.

Barrel Racing is full of big names as well with Jimmie Smith, Molly Otto, Taycie Matthews, Jessica Routier and Ilyssa Riley all set to compete.

Bracket 5 (Jan. 26 & 27)

Leighton Berry, Jacek Frost, and Cole Franks are the names to watch in Bracket 5 in the Bareback Riding.

Looking to steer wrestling, Dalton Massey, Riley Duvall, and Bridger Anderson are the headliners.

Bracket 6 (Jan. 27 & 28)

The 2023 World Champion in bull riding, Ky Hamilton, competes in Bracket 6 alongside fellow World Champions Cody Teel and Shane Proctor.

The stars are out in barrel racing as well with Stevi Hillman, Leslie Smalygo, and Sue Smith all competing for a big payday.

Bracket 7 (Jan. 29 & 30)

The final bracket features plenty of big names.

In bareback riding, Clayton Biglow will compete against Will Lowe, Sam Petersen, Wyatt Denny, Orin Larsen, R.C. Landingham, Jacob Lees and Jayco Roper in loaded bracket.

While in tie-down roping, 2023 World Champion Riley Webb looks to get the first big payday of his 2024 season, but he will have to go through current World No. 1 Shad Mayfield.

HOW TO WATCH AND BROADCAST SCHEDULE

You can watch every performance LIVE on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel+ App. For a full broadcast schedule click HERE.