It is time again for one of the country’s biggest celebrations of Western culture. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo spans nearly three weeks beginning Feb. 28 and ending March 19 at NRG Park, which is also home to the National Football League’s Houston Texans.
See incredible athletic displays inside the arena during the 20-day RODEOHOUSTON Super Series or catch a concert from your favorite country acts. This one-of-a-kind event packs days of rodeo, music, food, and family fun, and this 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo guide will help you make the most of your time there.
Editor’s planning note: For your next trip, RODEOHOUSTON typically runs in March at NRG Park with nightly rodeo action inside NRG Stadium. Lineups are usually announced in January, and you can compare dates and prices on TicketSmarter’s Houston Rodeo tickets page.
What is RODEOHOUSTON?
RODEOHOUSTON is the marquee event of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. It is an official Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) event with earnings counting toward National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and PRCA World Standings. Events are organized into five three-day Super Series with two Semifinal rounds, two Wild Card rounds and a Championship round.
After 20 days, champions are crowned on the men’s side in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. Women compete in barrel racing and breakaway roping. Women’s breakaway debuted at RODEOHOUSTON in 2022.
The Championship features 10 athletes competing in each event with four advancing to the Championship Shootout Round. There is a total payout of $2,178,000, with each champion taking home $50,000 in addition to their previous round winnings. They are also awarded a custom-made saddle and belt buckle. The Championship is scheduled for March 19 and country superstar Luke Bryan will perform after the winners are recognized. According to RodeoHouston’s official wrap-up, the 2023 Super Series paid a total purse of $2,178,000, with each event champion receiving $50,000 (plus prior-round winnings); the release also confirms breakaway roping was included across performances in 2023.(EXTERNAL_CITATIONS)
How the Super Series and Championship work
- Super Series: Five brackets, three days each. Top athletes by money advance.
- Wild Cards and Semifinals: The next-best earners get a second chance in Wild Cards. Winners feed into two Semifinal rounds.
- Championship and Shootout: Ten athletes per event compete, four move on to a final Shootout round for the title.
This high-stakes format keeps standings in play nightly and can influence qualification paths to the National Finals Rodeo.
What to expect across NRG Park
- Daily rodeo and concerts: Nightly rodeo performances inside NRG Stadium are followed by star concerts.
- After-dark shows: On Saturday and Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m., look for a drone light show and fireworks near NRG Arena.
- Livestock and learning: Explore livestock and horse shows, the Birthing Center, and breeding barns.
- Food and fairs: Sample the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest atmosphere and roam the massive carnival.
For venue logistics and seating maps, browse the NRG Park venue guide.
What’s Included In My Ticket?
A season pass grants you access to the entire 20-day slate of rodeo competitions and concerts. Individual rodeo and concert tickets are also available if you prefer to plan ahead for a single-day adventure and catch your favorite artist take the stage. Consider picking up a single-day parking pass too, which can save you time when you arrive.
Helpful notes:
- Grounds access: Grounds passes typically include the Livestock Show and Carnival areas, while concert seating in the stadium is sold on separate tickets.
- Price planning: Concert add-ons often start around $25 more than a Grounds ticket.
- Season savings: A season option locks your same seat for every performance and may include admission perks.
You can compare options and dates on TicketSmarter’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tickets page.
Who Is Performing At The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo?
The 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo features a diverse lineup of artists from genres ranging from country and Latin to pop and even rap. Legendary acts like Brooks & Dunn (March 1), Kenny Chesney (March 15) and Brad Paisley (March 18) will all play at this year’s event. Other crowd favorites like Walker Hayes (March 4), Zac Brown Band (March 5), Jason Aldean (March 6) and Chris Stapleton (March 16) will also bring their country hits to the stage.
Pop music fans may want to grab tickets to hear New Kids on the Block (March 7) or The Chainsmokers (March 10), who are currently in residency in Las Vegas, and rap fans can find Machine Gun Kelly (March 14) on the lineup too.
On the Stars Over Texas Stage, you can also find rising stars from Houston in the Rodeo Rockstar competition. It is free to enter and is open to non-professional singers between the ages of six and 21. The winner takes home a $1,000 cash prize and secures a day in a professional recording studio.
Is The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Good for Families?
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is fit for all ages with food, music and rodeo competition. The event is also free for children aged two and under.
At NRG Park, The Junction is where you will find most of the family-friendly entertainment. There will be agricultural exhibits there like Mutton Bustin’ and Pig Races as well as The Junction Carnival. AGVENTURE is another great option at the NRG Center. It brings education to the forefront with live animals ranging from cows and ponies to rabbits and even parakeets; RODEOHOUSTON’s AGVENTURE (Hall A, NRG Center) is an on-site agricultural education exhibit with live-animal displays and hands-on learning, open daily with hours listed on the official site.
Family tips:
- Consider Wednesdays, when kids under 12 often get in free until noon.
- Bring ear protection for young children during concerts; the CDC advises using hearing protection or taking breaks from loud noise to prevent noise-induced hearing loss and notes that if you need to shout to be heard, the sound level may be harmful.
- Strollers are allowed and baby care stations are available in climate-controlled areas.
Getting there, parking and transit
- Parking and trams: NRG Park operates multiple tram lines connecting lots to venues, including Blue, Orange, Red, 610 and Yellow routes. Rideshare pickups and drop-offs are directed to the Yellow Lot.
- Rail: METRORail serves NRG Park and is free for kids ages five and under; NRG Park’s official visitor guide notes METRORail’s Red Line stops at NRG Park and lists tram routes, parking and accessibility information for event days.
- Arrive early: Gates often open around mid-morning. Explore the grounds and exhibits before the evening rodeo and concert.
Out-of-town visitors can pair event tickets with hotels using TicketSmarter’s travel portal and review seating maps on the NRG Park guide.
Carnival tips and deals
- Payment: Carnival pay cards are sold in set amounts and are typically valid only in the carnival area.
- Value windows: Watch for limited-time deals such as $2 rides, games and select food items during midday hours.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Tickets
Whether you are a rodeo regular or are branching out for a different kind of entertainment, start planning your adventure with Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo tickets. You can also browse more rodeo events and schedules. If you are visiting from out of town, check TravelPlanner for exclusive travel deals in Houston.
FAQs
What should I expect to see and do at RODEOHOUSTON at NRG Park?
Expect daytime livestock shows, AGVENTURE exhibits and The Junction carnival, followed by evening PRCA rodeo action inside NRG Stadium and a headline concert. Weekend evenings feature a drone light show and fireworks near NRG Arena. TicketSmarter lists current dates and pricing on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tickets page.
How do the Super Series and Championship rounds work?
Five three-day Super Series determine top money earners who advance to Semifinals. Additional competitors enter through Wild Card rounds. Ten athletes per event reach the Championship, four advance to the Shootout, and one champion wins a major payout that counts toward PRCA standings. You can follow schedules and secure seats through TicketSmarter’s Houston Rodeo tickets.
What family-friendly activities are in The Junction and AGVENTURE?
The Junction packs Mutton Bustin’, Pig Races and kid-size rides. AGVENTURE at NRG Center focuses on hands-on learning with live animals and exhibits; see RODEOHOUSTON’s official AGVENTURE page for hours and exhibit details. TicketSmarter recommends arriving early to explore before the evening events and booking NRG Park seating in advance.
Should I choose a season pass or single-day tickets?
Pick a season option if you want the same seat for all rodeo performances and concerts, plus admission perks. Choose single-day tickets if you are targeting one concert or a specific date. Compare availability and pricing on TicketSmarter’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tickets.
Which rodeo events are featured at RODEOHOUSTON?
Core PRCA events include bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping, plus women’s barrel racing and breakaway roping. Results and payouts influence standings toward the National Finals Rodeo. Browse more PRCA dates on TicketSmarter’s rodeo schedule.
What concert genres and headliners typically perform?
Lineups span country, Latin, pop and hip hop. Announcements are usually made in January, and nightly concerts follow the rodeo. Check current performers and seat maps on TicketSmarter’s Houston Rodeo tickets page.
How can I plan travel, parking and transit?
Book hotels early near NRG Park and review parking maps and tram routes. Rideshare uses the Yellow Lot, and METRORail serves the complex. TicketSmarter’s travel deals portal helps you bundle stays with your rodeo plans.
What are the benefits of a Grounds pass, season pass or VIP options?
Grounds passes offer access to livestock shows and the carnival. Season tickets lock your seat for rodeo and concerts. VIP options include private decks and hosted experiences. Confirm inclusions on TicketSmarter when you shop Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo tickets.
How does the Rodeo Rockstar competition work?
Rodeo Rockstar features local talent on the Stars Over Texas Stage. It is free to enter for non-professional singers ages six to 21, with a cash prize and studio time for the winner. While you explore schedules on TicketSmarter, plan your day to catch the finals during your visit.
Author: TicketSmarter Editorial Team
Updated: December 17, 2025
