The 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo welcomed 2.7 million guests over the 23-day event, setting an all-time attendance record. This year’s event included nine first-time entertainers, 10 auction records, the induction of Luke Bryan into the Star Trail of Fame, Leon Coffee into the RODEOHOUSTON® Hall of Fame, and was gifted with incredible weather throughout the event.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues to represent the very best of our Texas traditions, bringing together our diverse community through exceptional entertainment, thrilling competitions, and educational experiences.” said Chris Boleman, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO. “The incredible year 2025 has been a testament to what we can achieve together. None of this would be possible without the unwavering dedication and help from 35,000 volunteers across 109 committees, alongside our incredible donors and sponsors who share our vision of celebrating Western heritage while investing in the future of Texas youth and education. We are profoundly thankful for our community whose enthusiasm and support make this iconic celebration possible year after year.”
The World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, ran from Feb. 27 – March 1, followed by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo from March 4 – March 23, 2025.
2025 RODEO HIGHLIGHTS
Attendance
- Total attendance for all activities on the grounds, Feb. 27 – March 1 (World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest and Feb. 27 – March 23, 2025 (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) reached a record breaking 2,735,695.
- In three days, the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest entertained 226,463 guests.
- Showtime highest daily total attendance from 2025:
- Saturday, March 22, 2025 – 199,220
- Saturday, March 15, 2025 – 183,240
- Sunday, March 16, 2025 –173,202
- Friday, March 14, 2025 – 155,603
- Paid rodeo/concert attendance reached 1,305,284
- Highest paid rodeo/concert performances from 2025:
- Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Brooks & Dunn – 71,256
- Friday, March 21, 2025 – Parker McCollum – 71,218
- Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Luke Bryan – 71,103
- Friday, March 14, 2025 – Journey – 70,978
- Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – Zach Top – 70, 865
- Sunday, March 16, 2025 – Grupo Frontera – 70,775
- Highest paid rodeo/concert performances from 2025:
RODEOHOUSTON®
- RODEOHOUSTON awarded $2,533,500 million to its contestants in 2025.
- The 2025 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series invited the world’s top rodeo athletes to compete in eight traditional rodeo events.
- RODEOHOUSTON Super Series athletes competed for a share of $2,533,500 in prize money. Each event champion rode out of NRG Stadium with $65,000, plus winnings from the preliminary rounds.
- The 2025 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Champions, with total money earned, are:
- Tie-Down Roping: Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, $73,500
- Bareback Riding: Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, $71,000
- Team Roping: Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Arizona; Colter Todd, Willcox, Arizona, $143,500
- Saddle Bronc Riding: Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, $72,750
- Steer Wrestling: Tucker Allen, Ventura, California, $69,000
- Barrel Racing: Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, $73,000
- Breakaway Roping: Taylor Munsell, Alva, Oklahoma, $70,125
- Bull Riding: Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, $73,000
- 360 contestants competed over the 20-day event.
RODEOHOUSTON Hall of Fame
- Rodeo fans gathered on the second floor of the NRG Center on Sunday, March 9 to celebrate rodeo legend, Leon Coffee, as he was inducted into the RODEOHOUSTON Hall of Fame.
- Coffee was named the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee in October. The RODEOHOUSTON Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and animals for their impact on the success and longevity of the Rodeo. Future honorees may include past and present Rodeo contractor personnel, contestants, stock and stock contractors. To read more about his nomination, click here.
RODEOHOUSTON Star Trail of Fame
Luke Bryan was inducted into the Star Trail of Fame, making him the 11th entertainer to be honored with a gold plaque.
- His 2025 performance on the star stage marked his 12th since 2012.
- He was one of four Star Trail of Fame artists to perform in 2025.
- Bryan shares the wall with some of RODEOHOUSTON’s most popular and honored performers, including Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, Gene Autry, George Strait, Reba, Roy Rogers and Selena.
Livestock Show, Horse Show and Auctions
- Horse Show competitions drew 5,387 entries. (Highest # of entries since 2003)
- The Livestock Show saw 33,142 entries: Junior Show, 22,161 and Open Show: 10,981
- Junior auction sales totaled $29,652,317, a Rodeo record. (unaudited preliminary totals).
- Barrow: $5,186,012
- Junior Commercial Steer: $1,385,804 (live auction of choice steers)
- Lamb and Goat: $5,108,952
- Poultry: $4,000,361
- School Art: $3,312,001
- Steer: $10,659,187
- Ten auction Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion lots set Rodeo records.
- Junior Market Barrow
- Grand Champion: $501,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Reserve Grand Champion: $360,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Junior Market Pen of Broilers
- Grand Champion: $301,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Reserve Grand Champion: $225,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Junior Market Goat
- Grand Champion: $400,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Reserve Grand Champion: $200,000 (tied the 2024 Rodeo Record)
- Junior Market Lamb
- Grand Champion: $450,000
- Reserve Grand Champion: $300,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Junior Market Steer
- Grand Champion: $675,000
- Reserve Grand Champion: $690,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Junior Market Turkey
- Grand Champion: $315,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Reserve Grand Champion: $220,000 (Rodeo Record)
- School Art
- Grand Champion: $276,000 (Rodeo Record)
- Reserve Grand Champion: $200,000
- Wine
- Grand Champion: $200,000
- Reserve Grand Champion: $225,000 (tied 2024 Rodeo record)
- Rodeo Uncorked!® Champion Wine Auction: $3,269,729
- Ranching & Wildlife: $530,250
- Calf scramble and judging contest winners received 352 certificates, each worth $2,500, to apply toward the purchase of a registered beef heifer or steer to exhibit at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Certificate premiums totaled $880,000.
- Calf scramble exhibitors from 2024 who returned with their heifer or steer projects to compete at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show received more than $100,000 total in premiums and awards.
- The Super Scramble competition was added in 2022, where the “First Catch” scramblers from each of the previous Calf Scramble performances were invited to participate in the event Sunday, March 23, 2025. The scramblers had an extra chance to catch one of the nine calves during the event, and each participant was awarded a cash prize based on their performance. The event awarded an additional $42,000 in cash prizes for Texas youth.
- Junior Market Barrow
Scholarships and Education
- The Rodeo committed $28,058,754 to the youth of Texas in 2025:
- $14,718,000 in scholarships to be awarded this summer;
- $9,764,100 to junior show exhibitors;
- $3,095,554 in educational program grants; and
- $481,100 in graduate assistantships
AGVENTURE, presented by Oxy
- Over 68,000 students participated in scheduled school tours and field trips.
- More than 18,000 little cowboys and cowgirls rode the pony rides.
- 961chicks hatched in the poultry exhibit.
- 48 piglets, 35 lambs and 21 calves were born at the Birthing Center.
The Junction
- Over 126,000 little farmers visited Fun on the Farm.
- Over 4,000 kids participated in mutton bustin’.
Official Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Merchandise
- Over 225,000 individual items of Rodeo merchandise went home with guests during the 2025 event.
- 14,966 pins were sold
- 25,583 t-shirts were sold
- 7,438 hats were sold
Virtual Chuck Wagon, presented by Verizon
- In its first year at the event, the Virtual Chuck Wagon was a popular stop for people of all ages.
- Three wagon simulations had 12,600 riders experience the thrill firsthand.
Drone Show, presented by ExxonMobil
- The Drone Show, powered by ExxonMobil came back bigger than before with performances on every Saturday and Sunday during the Rodeo at 8 p.m.
- 400 drones and fireworks lit up the sky for approximately 10 minutes.
Volunteer Appreciation Day, presented by Phillips 66
- The Rodeo hosted the second annual Volunteer Appreciation Day, honoring the 35,000+ volunteers across 109 committees
- 2,238 volunteers registered for the Boots and Bubbly Brunch in the HIDEOUT
- The third annual Volunteer Talent Show had 11 entries, and the winner was Julia Fitzgerald from the Speakers Committee
Carnival, presented by First Community
- RCS, the carnival provider, drove nearly 420,000 miles to deliver the carnival to Houston, which is 14 times the distance around the world
- Approximately 2.8 million rides were taken at the carnival. The top five rides were:
- XL Le Grande Wheel
- Skyride
- Heidi Coaster
- Rave Wave
- Raptor Coaster
- 143 semi-trucks full of carnival prizes were brought to the 2025 Rodeo
- Approximately 540,000 prizes were won at the games
- The top five food items were:
- Turkey legs
- Jumbo Corn Dogs
- Michelagua
- Deep Fried Oreos
- Funnel Cake
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2025 Rodeo is scheduled for March 4 – 23. The 2025 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 27 – March 1. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com or the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.