From qualification routes to division breakdowns and added money, the WCJR offers young athletes multiple chances to earn a world title this July at the Lazy E Arena.
Come July 8-11 the future of rodeo will step onto the dirt in the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma to compete at the CINCH World Champion Junior Rodeo.
With an estimated $400,000 in payouts the WCJR is one of the richest youth rodeo in the world. It will be four days of grit and determination as cowboys and cowgirls work to mark their name in the list of champions forever and the fight has already begun to qualify.
The WCJR features two competitive divisions:
Youth Division: 15 years old and under (contestants may enter up)
Junior Division: 19 years old and under
New for 2026, a special roll-over option will be available in barrels and poles, allowing Youth Division contestants to carry their times forward into the Junior Division at the WCJR, adding another layer of opportunity for qualifying athletes.
Added Money on the Line
The stakes are high across both divisions:
Junior Division
Timed Events: $10,000 added money per discipline
Riding Events: $10,000 added money per discipline
Youth Division
Timed Events: $5,000 added money per discipline
Three Ways to Qualify for the 2026 WCJR
Athletes have three opportunities to qualify for the 2026 World Championship Junior Rodeo, offering multiple pathways to earn a spot in the Semi-Finals.
1. Last Chance Qualifier
Entries open April 1 on Nextgen Rodeo. The top 15 contestants per discipline on the 2026 WCJR VRQ Leaderboard as of June 22, 2026 will earn a direct berth to the Semi-Finals with no additional entry fee. Entry fees for the Last Chance Qualifier are $250 per discipline for Youth and Junior divisions.
2. Qualifier Event
Nominations close June 22. From the Qualifier Event, the top six contestants in Round One, the top six in Round Two, and the top 15 competitors in the aggregate will advance to the Semi-Finals. The top 15 aggregate finishers will receive seeded positions in the Semi-Finals with no additional entry fees. Seeded semifinalists may choose to pay an optional entry fee to compete for additional jackpot money without risking their seeded position.
3. Qualifier Series Events
At each Qualifier Series event, the highest-placing nominated athlete earns a generic qualification to the 2026 WCJR, regardless of their position on the WCJR leaderboard. Athletes may earn only one generic qualification. If the same athlete earns the top nominated position at multiple events, the qualification will roll down to the next highest-placing nominated athlete.
You can find more info on the qualifier series events here.
Buyback Round and Semi-Finals Format
Contestants who do not qualify through the LCQ will have one final opportunity through the Buyback Round. The top three athletes from that round will also advance to the Semi-Finals.
The Semi-Finals will consist of:
15 athletes from the WCJR Leaderboard
27 athletes from the LCQ
3 athletes from the Buyback Round
From there:
The top 15 times in timed events
The top eight scores in roughstock
will advance to the Finals.
Roughstock Qualification
In the roughstock events, the top 15 athletes on the WCJR Leaderboard as of June 7, 2026, will qualify and be seeded directly into the Semi-Finals. The top three athletes on the WCJR leaderboard will be seeded directly into the Finals.
Crowning a World Champion
The WCJR World Champion will be determined by aggregate time or high score from both the Semi-Finals and Finals rounds, ensuring consistency, excellence, and championship-level performance when it matters most.
As July approaches, one thing is certain: the road to the CINCH World Championship Junior Rodeo is demanding, competitive, and full of opportunity—and only the best will earn their place under the bright lights of the Lazy E Arena.