More than two million people attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year, according to numbers shared by the rodeo, falling short of last year's record.
Some 2.6 million people attended this year's Houston rodeo across its three weeks. The total includes attendance at the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, an annual rodeo kickoff event. More than 2.7 million attended the 2025 rodeo.
The final night of this year's rodeo set a record for highest attendance at a concert-only performance. More than 80,000 people attended Cody Johnson's concert at NRG Stadium on Sunday, the highest ever since the rodeo began collecting such data.
The three most popular days at the rodeo were March 14, when Kelly Clarkson performed; March 21, when Tim McGraw performed; and March 12, when Chris Stapleton performed.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues to represent the very best of Texas traditions, bringing our community together through exceptional entertainment, world-class competition and meaningful educational experiences," Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, said in a press release.
Rodeo politics and getup policies
It's a significant turnout for one of the largest events of the year in Houston, even with several controversies at the rodeo, including one from Harris County's executive, Lina Hidalgo.
Earlier this month, Hidalgo and four other guests attempted to access the chute area — a premium seating area in NRG Stadium closest to the concert stage — without proper credentials. Hidalgo claimed she was threatened with arrest, shoved by security personnel and escorted out of a rodeo concert.
Rodeo officials disputed her claims and said they were "very disappointed" in Hidalgo's actions. The event's board of directors also voted to strip Hidalgo of her role on the board, which was tied to her elected position as county judge.
Shortly after the controversy with Hidalgo, the Houston rodeo saw controversies regarding security and dress code.
On Saturday, March 15, the rodeo closed down earlier than anticipated because of a fight in the carnival area, which caused guests to “run and create confusion," according to rodeo officials.
As a result, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo increased its security enforcement for the remainder of the rodeo. Soon after, rodeo officials updated the event’s dress code policy. Following the policy change, a rodeo spokesperson told Houston Public Media in a statement that the changes were meant to improve safety and promote a “family-friendly” environment.
That included prohibitions on clothing that showed "excessive portions of the skin,” "objectionable material," or gang affiliations.
Record-breaking auctions
On Saturday's Junior Market Steer Auction, the grand champion steer sold for a record $1.5 million, raised by Mason Grady of Johnson County, surpassing the previous record by half a million dollars.
"You can have a lot of fourth-and-ones in your career, but you only have a few of these," Grady said.
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In total, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo said a total of $35 million was paid in the junior auction sales across the duration of the rodeo, more than any other rodeo. Fourteen Grand Champion and Reserve Champion records were set this year.
Several other rodeo auction records were previously broken, including for a $1 million lamb and a $525,000 painting.
Rodeo champions
Here are each of the champions at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:
- Tie-Down Roping Champion: Riley Webb of Denton, TX
- Bareback Riding Champion: Rocker Steiner of Weatherford, TX
- Team Roping Champions: Korbin Rice of Lipan, TX; Cooper Freeman of Carthage, MO
- Saddle Bronc Champion: Stetson Wright of Beaver, UT
- Steer Wrestling Champion: Holden Myers of Van, TX
- Barrel Racing Champion: Kassie Mowry of Dublin, TX
- Breakaway Roping Champion: Hali Williams of Comanche, TX
- Bull Riding Champion: Jake Gardner of Wheatland County, AB
Sarah Grunau and Kyle McClenagan contributed to this report.
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