The American Contender Tournament is a rodeo event that serves as a pathway for rodeo athletes to The American Rodeo. Here's how it works.
The American Contender Tournament is a rodeo event that serves as a pathway for rodeo athletes to The American Rodeo, which is the most lucrative one-day payday in rodeo, offering a chance to earn $1 million.
The tournament is open to any rodeo athlete who ranks outside the top 5 in PRCA/WPRA ranking by the end of 2023. They can participate in one or more of the 90+ The American Contender Tournament Event Qualifiers to earn an automatic qualification or points towards the Regional Semi-Finals in January 2024.
The American Contender Tournament features multiple qualifying rounds in each of the eight disciplines of rodeo: Barrel Racing, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Tie Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding, and Bull Riding. The tournament runs from April 2023 through February 2024.
THE FORMAT:
Rodeo athletes can earn a spot at The American Rodeo through a highly competitive, tournament-style format:
Round 1: The American Contender Tournament Qualifying Events
To narrow down the field of competitors, grassroots producers host qualifying events for Barrel Racing, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, and Tie Down Roping across three regions: West, Central and East. Contestants of all ages and levels can advance from these events to the Regional Semi-Finals in two different ways:
- Automatic Advancement: An athlete's placement in the Qualifier Event decides if they qualify for the Contender Tournament. The number of positions available for each event is based on the total number of athlete entries in that event.
- Points-Based Advancement: Athletes can earn points at the Contender Tournament Qualifier Event to count towards the regional standings. If an athlete is unable to secure automatic advancement, they can still earn points by placing outside the automatic advancement places.
Round 2: The American Contender Tournament Regional Semi-Finals
These live-streamed events feature all eight disciplines, with up to 100 top athletes from Regional Contender Events and the 2023 PRCA/WPRA world standings seeded athletes. The Semi-Finals will take place in three regions: West, Central, and East, with three lucrative American Contender Tournament Open Team Ropings running concurrently.
Round 3: The American Contender Tournament Regional Finals
After the Regional Semi-Finals, the top 10 athletes from each region advance to the Regional Finals, along with two athletes who have earned a spot through the Redemption Round. Guaranteed prize money for this year is $540,000, with last season's winners taking home $10,000 each before making it to Globe Life Field for The American Contender Tournament Finals.
Round 4: The American Contender Tournament Final
This nationally broadcast and live-streamed event brings together the top 5 athletes in each discipline from each Regional Finals to compete. Five top-finishing athletes will advance to compete at The American Rodeo. Winning athletes are guaranteed a share of the $360,000 prize money.
Round 5: The American Rodeo
The American Rodeo is the ultimate showdown in which the top Contender athletes go head-to-head with the top 5 in the world standings for a winner-take-all showdown. Only Contender athletes are eligible to win the $1 million bonus. If more than one wins their discipline, the bonus will be divided amongst them.
2024 EVENT SCHEDULE:
*All times subject to change
The American Contender Tournament Events (formerly known as The American Qualifiers)
April 2023 through January 2024
The American Contender Tournament Regional Semi-Finals and Finals
West Region - January 11-13, Las Vegas, Nevada, South Point Hotel & Casino Event Center
Central Region – January 18-20, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jim Norick Arena
East Region – January 25-27, Lexington, Kentucky, Alltech Arena
The American Contender Tournament Finals
February 10, Abilene, Texas, Taylor Telecom Arena
The American Western Weekend
The American Performance Horseman - March 8, Arlington Texas, Globe Life Field
The American Rodeo - March 9, Arlington Texas, Globe Life Field
FAST FACTS:
- Contender athletes can win $100,000 for their discipline and a $1 million bonus at The American Rodeo. Only those competing at The American are eligible for the bonus.
- The prize money awarded at The American rodeo competition is comparable to that of the Kentucky Derby. The unique aspect of The American is that it provides an opportunity for the underdogs to earn more money in a single day than they could in an entire lifetime.
- The American Contender Tournament Qualifying Events are exclusively meant for Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, and Tie Down Roping. The purpose of these events is to narrow down the field. However, Roughstock and Team Roping athletes can participate in the Regional Semi-Finals, where they can compete for their ticket to The American.
- Teton Ridge is now offering guaranteed prize money of at least $540,000 for Regional Semi-Finals and Regional Finals.
- Final Payouts from 2022-2023’s The American Contender Tournament and The American Western Weekend: