While the excitement of Cowboy Christmas and the Calgary Stampede has helped kick off the Summer Rodeo Run, the race to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is far from over. Contestants continue to battle for every dollar as they chase a spot in Las Vegas this December.
This week, the attention shifts to three of the sport’s most recognizable stops—Cheyenne Frontier Days, the California Rodeo Salinas, and the NFR Open at Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. Each event carries decades of tradition while offering contestants the chance to make a move in the PRCA World Standings.
Since 1897, Cheyenne Frontier Days has marked itself as one of the most anticipated stops of the rodeo season. Known as “The Daddy of ‘em All,” this historic event has become a staple of the sport, drawing top athletes from across the world for its nine-day run July 17-26. This year, the rodeo is expected to pay $860,000.
Cheyenne isn’t the only historical rodeo on the books for contestants this week. Many will head west to the California Rodeo Salinas, which is celebrating its 115th year as one of the sport’s most respected events.
The rodeo will pay out more than $400,000 and will also serve as a stop for Rodeo Live. Whether you’re in the crowd or watching from home, Janie Johnson, Luke Branquinho, Sierra Spratt, and Richmond Champion will break down all the action with special guests on Championship Sunday, July 19. The California Rodeo Salinas runs July 16-19.
Since 1937, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo brought top-tier rodeo action to Colorado Springs. In 2022, the event became the official home of the NFR Open, formerly known as the National Circuit Finals Rodeo. Now, it serves as one of the most important stops of the summer as athletes compete for a chance to qualify and take home a share of more than $650,000 in prize money.
Here’s the schedule so you don’t miss any of the action:
Thursday, July 16
• 9:30 PM ET — California Rodeo Salinas
Friday, July 17
• 3:00 PM ET — Cheyenne Frontier Days
• 9:30 PM ET — Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Saturday, July 18
• 3:00 PM ET — Cheyenne Frontier Days
• 6:30 PM ET — California Rodeo Salinas
• 9:30 PM ET — Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Sunday, July 19
• 3:00 PM ET — Rodeo Live: California Rodeo Salinas
• 5:00 PM ET — California Rodeo Salinas Finals
• 8:30 PM ET — Cheyenne Frontier Days