“The Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West.”
One of the richest rodeos of the summer.
The unofficial start of Cowboy Christmas.
Whichever title fans and athletes choose to give it, the Reno Rodeo holds a monumental place in the hearts of rodeo competitors and western sports fans alike. Serving as a launching point for the famed summer run, and influencing NFR campaigns, the northern Nevada staple returns for its 107th year, offering more than $600,000 in added money and the chance to earn the famed silver spurs.
Nestled beneath the sagebrush-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains and just miles from the picturesque Lake Tahoe, Reno — “The Biggest Little City in the World” — has long been associated with casinos, silver rush history, divorce ranches and deep ranching roots. But for more than a century, the city has also been synonymous with one of rodeo’s most iconic venues.
The Reno Rodeo traces its roots back to 1919, when Reno leaders were preparing for a Fourth of July celebration honoring returning soldiers following World War I. Wanting to create a celebration unlike any other, organizers introduced a rodeo as part of the festivities, bringing the community together in a unique way.
Originally called the Nevada Round-Up, the two-day event drew visitors and locals alike and quickly became a success.
Following the inaugural rodeo, the Reno Evening Gazette — now the Reno Gazette Journal — praised the event, writing in a 1919 edition:
“For an initial attempt, the rodeo was magnificent entertainment. The rodeo should be made an annual event. It should continue in the hands of volunteer citizens who have started the ball rolling so auspiciously.”
With the exception of 1944 during World War II and 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reno Rodeo has remained a cornerstone of the community and western sports culture for generations.
A member of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame since 2008, the rodeo’s legacy reflects not only Reno’s community spirit, but also generations of athletes who have built defining moments of their careers inside the famed arena. As one of the largest single paydays of Cowboy Christmas, Reno remains a must-stop destination for competitors chasing world standings and NFR qualifications.
The 2026 edition of the Reno Rodeo begins June 18 and runs through June 27, featuring many of the sport’s top athletes as they head west in pursuit of Cowboy Christmas success.
Fans and athletes alike can catch all the action across Cowboy+ digital and social platforms.