Austin Kicks Off Rodeo Season
Austin has kicked off its famous Rodeo Austin festivities with the Cowboy Breakfast at the Long Center. The event marks the start of a citywide celebration of Texas culture, BBQ, and rodeo traditions. The festival brings together authentic Texas barbecue, live music, and traditional rodeo competitions in one of the state's premier annual events.
Rodeo Austin is a 15-day event scheduled from March 13-28, 2026, at the Travis County Expo Center. This annual event is one of America's top 10 ProRodeos, featuring professional athletes competing in events like bull riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. The festival has a rich history, originating in 1938 as a humble stock show with just 16 animals. Initially known as the Austin Baby Beef Show, it was created to support the local agricultural economy in a Travis County that was home to over 2,600 farms. Beyond the rodeo competitions, the event features a packed concert lineup with nightly performances following the ProRodeo events. The 2026 lineup includes a diverse range of artists such as the Eli Young Band, Midland, Tanya Tucker, and Clint Black. Rodeo Austin is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a significant charitable component. Since the inception of its scholarship program in 1981, it has awarded more than $9 million to over 2,000 students to support their college education. The event serves as a major economic driver for the Austin area. It is estimated to contribute around $80 million annually to the local economy, attracting up to 500,000 attendees over its two-week run. In addition to the main rodeo and concerts, the fairgrounds host a variety of other attractions. These include a carnival, a wide range of food vendors, shopping opportunities, and educational exhibits designed to teach urban residents about Texas' farming and ranching heritage.
