Experience Tucson's century-old rodeo tradition! Top cowboys and cowgirls vie for glory amidst a legendary parade and vibrant celebration.
In 1925, Tucson, Arizona paid homage to their cowboy roots with the formation of an annual rodeo. Yet the event was more than just a rodeo, and grew into a multi-day celebration complete with a huge parade and ancillary fellowship opportunities such as dances and side competitions.
Today, the tradition continues. In the past 101 years the essence of the event has stayed the same but the crowd and opportunities it offers the rodeo competitors have continued to grow. The parade now welcomes over 200,000 visitors every year and is one of the largest non-motorized parades in the country. This year, the parade will take place on February 26, 2026, and the rodeo will run from until March 1.
The rodeo itself draws top competitors from the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association nationwide, and is highly regarded thanks to the quality stock and the added money of over $220,000.
The cowboys and cowgirls kicked off the first round of the rodeo with a bang, putting fast times and highly scored runs on the board.
Rookie on the rise bareback rider Daxtyn Feild had an 84.5 point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Tumbleweed, tying with Jess Pope’s 84.5 point ride on Beutler & Son’s Sucking Wind. R.C. Landingham was just a point behind them with an 83.5 point ride.
Saddle bronc cowboys kept up the pace with high points on more Beutler & Son’s bucking horses. First place was a tie between Lefty Holman on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Harry the Horse and Riggin Smith on Beutler & Sons Rodeo’s Four Aces. Both cowboys had 81.5 point rides.
The steer wrestlers were led by Jake Shelton, who had a 5.0 second run for first place. Following with a 5.4 second run was a tie between Tristan Martin and Winsten McGraw.
When the ropes started swinging, there weren’t many steers or calves left uncaught. In the team roping, Brye Crites and Ross Ashford clocked a 4.6 second run, and Ketch Kelton and Paden Bray were .3 behind them with a 4.9 second run. The tie-down ropers were all in the 9 and 10 second window for the night. Brayden Roe took first with a 9.4 second run and Haven Meged with a 9.8 second run for second place.
The ladies of barrel racing showed how fast 17 seconds can be, with Austyn Tobey placing first with a 17.25 second run. Right behind her was Lisa Lockhart with a 17.26 second run.
The rough stock returned to finish out the round with the boys of the bull riding. Dawson Branton scored 85.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Ice Age and Clayton Sellars had an 82.5 point ride for second place.
With the talent of these men and women, the quality of the stock from Beutler & Son Rodeo, Diamond G Rodeo, Powder River Rodeo, Salt River Rodeo, and Andrews Rodeo, and the energy of Tucson, the momentum will keep building as the competition continues.
This week, all roads lead to Tucson.