After the State Fair of Texas paused its rodeo events for 2026, the UPRA Finals found a new home at the Brazos Valley Expo in Bryan, Texas. The move ensures the championship rodeo and Miss UPRA Pageant will continue as the association crowns its 2026 world champions.
The State Fair of Texas announced it will pause its pre-Fair horse shows and the State Fair Rodeo for the 2026 season, ending a longstanding tradition at Fair Park and prompting the United Professional Rodeo Association to seek a new home for its championship event. State Fair officials said the decision came after evaluating entertainment, attraction, and exhibitor offerings as part of an effort to balance tradition and innovation while remaining financially responsible and ensuring the event remains affordable for Texas families.
The announcement means the 2026 UPRA Finals will no longer be held at the State Fair of Texas, a venue that has served as a prominent stage for rodeo athletes, stock contractors, and western heritage. In a statement released following the announcement, the UPRA acknowledged the significance of the decision and expressed support for the State Fair of Texas, its leadership, and the western way of life that both organizations have long championed.
While the pause marks the end of an era for rodeo at the State Fair, the association emphasized its appreciation for the opportunities and exposure the event has provided throughout the years. UPRA President Jerry Hill acknowledged the State Fair's role in promoting the sport and preserving western traditions.
"The State Fair of Texas has provided an incredible platform for showcasing our sport, our talent and our traditions," Hill said. "We respect their decision and remain optimistic that The Most Texan Place on Earth, with the most Texan Event on Earth, held in the greatest city, will one day return stronger than ever."
Hill's comments reflected the association's overall message of gratitude and optimism. Rather than focusing on what has been lost, the UPRA expressed confidence in the future of the organization and the continued strength of rodeo across Texas and beyond.
According to the association, the UPRA Board of Directors immediately began exploring new opportunities for the championship event and working diligently to identify the next host venue. Those efforts quickly resulted in a new partnership with the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo and the Brazos Valley Expo in Bryan, Texas.
The 2026 Cinch United Finals Rodeo is scheduled for Oct. 23 through Oct. 25 at the Brazos Valley Expo. The UPRA Finals will feature more than $300,000 added money as contestants compete for year end championships and world titles. The move ensures the finals will continue uninterrupted while opening a new chapter for the association in one of Texas' premier rodeo facilities.
The UPRA stated it remains confident in its membership base, which includes some of the most talented contestants, stock contractors, and rodeo directors in professional rodeo. Association leadership believes those individuals will continue to drive the success of the finals regardless of venue.
"Our association's strength lies in our people, the cowboys, cowgirls, contractors and fans who keep rodeo alive," Hill said. "We'll be ready, wherever the next chapter takes us."
The relocation will also include the Miss UPRA Pageant, ensuring the association's premier ambassador competition remains a featured part of finals week. Contestants will travel to Bryan to compete for the title while continuing to promote rodeo, western heritage and the values of the UPRA. The pageant has long served as an important component of the finals experience and will remain closely tied to the championship event.
Although the UPRA Finals will not take place at The State Fair of Texas in the Fair Park Coliseum in 2026, both organizations expressed hope that rodeo events may one day return to Fair Park. For now, the UPRA's focus turns toward Bryan, where the next generation of champions will be crowned and a new chapter in the association's history will begin.
