With rising success and anticipation from the 2025 event, the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway will expand in 2026 with new qualifying events, increased athlete access, and a revamped competition structure aimed at elevating the sport.
Launched in partnership with CN Productions, the event quickly became one of the sport’s richest showcases, creating new payout opportunities and a premier stage for athletes. Since its debut, the Million Dollar Breakaway has attracted top competitors nationwide while helping drive the discipline’s rapid growth and visibility.
As breaking roping continues to grow, so do the opportunities in Scottsdale.
The 2026 season introduces a broader pathway to the finals, which is set for Nov. 25–29 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. New summer and fall qualifiers, each featuring $30,000 added, will join returning events, including Oklahoma’s Richest (Oct. 15–18 at Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma) and the Last Chance Qualifier (Nov. 23–24 in Scottsdale).
The recently announced schedule is as follows:
2026 Qualifier Schedule Breakdown:
MDB First Chance Qualifier (Completed)
Dates: December 21, 2025
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
New Summer Qualifier
Dates: TBD
Location: TBD
$30,000 added qualifier Finals Performance
New Fall Qualifier
Dates: TBD
Location: TBD
$30,000 added qualifier Finals Performance
Oklahoma’s Richest
Dates: October 15–18, 2026
Location: Guthrie, Oklahoma – Lazy E Arena
$30,000 added qualifier Finals Performance
MDB Last Chance Qualifier
Dates: November 23–24, 2026
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona – WestWorld of Scottsdale
Semi-Finals & Finals Advancement Structure
In the past, a Top 10 finish in the year-end WPRA Standings earned a spot in the Million Dollar Breakaway finals. For 2026, all 20 finalists will advance from our Semi-finals and Qualifier Finals Performances.
Semi-Finals Qualification Structure – Total Semi-Final Competitors: 211
• 20 qualifiers from the 2025 First Chance Qualifier
• 20 qualifiers from Summer Qualifier
• 20 qualifiers from the Fall Qualifier
• 60 qualifiers from the Oklahoma Qualifier
• 40 qualifiers from the Last Chance Qualifier
• 5 qualifiers from the Buy Back Round
• Top 20 qualifiers from the Kimes VRQ Leaderboard
• 26 qualifiers from PWR (Premier Women’s Rodeo) – 5 from each main qualifier and 1 from the Buy Back Round
Finals Advancement Structure – Total Finals Competitors: 20
The expanded schedule increases advancement opportunities and reshapes how athletes reach the finals. A total of 211 competitors will qualify for the semifinals through events, leaderboards and partner organizations. From there, 17 athletes will advance to the finals, joined by three automatic berths awarded to the winners of the summer, fall and Oklahoma qualifiers.
The updated format replaces the previous system, which awarded finals spots to the top 10 finishers in the year-end WPRA standings. In 2026, all 20 finalists will advance through qualifiers and semifinal competition, creating a deeper and more competitive field.
Organizers also revised the High Money race. The title will now be determined by cumulative earnings across qualifier events and the finals, rather than finals performance alone. Earnings from the 2025 First Chance Qualifier will not count toward 2026 standings, but all qualifiers will be included beginning in 2027.
In a recent release, Amanda Kimes of Kimes Ranch Jeans stated: “These updates reflect our commitment to growing the sport and expanding opportunities for breakaway ropers at every level”.