Save The Date: 2026: Houston Rodeo BBQ Cookoff February 26-Febrary 28 and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo HSLR Lineup & info – March 2 – March 22, 2026

Save the date for the 94th Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, taking place Monday, March 2 – Sunday, March 22, 2026. Save the date for the 2026 Houston Rodeo Cookoff on February 26-February 28, 2026. Houston Rodeo Lineup, coming soon…

Are you wondering what day the Houston Rodeo Cookoff is for 2026, we got you covered. Mark your calendars, Houston! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is thrilled to announce that the 2026 Rodeo will include an additional date and star entertainer, bringing the best of the Western heritage and entertainment for a total of 21 days.

The 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will take place from Monday, March 2 through Sunday, March 22. About the 2026 Houston Rodeo Cookoff: The 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings will take place from Thursday, February 26 – Saturday, February 28.

The RODEOHOUSTON® competition will occur through the first 20 days of the event, beginning on Monday, March 2 with Finals being held on Saturday, March 21. The last day of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Sunday, March 22, will feature a full-length concert performance inside NRG Stadium. Although there will be no RODEOHOUSTON competition on the last Sunday, guests will have access to all activities across the grounds such as the Carnival, presented by First Community, Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost, AGVENTURE, presented by Oxy, and shopping and dining inside NRG Center.

This is the first time the event has featured a 21st day since 2022. The entertainer performing a full-length evening concert on the final night of the 2026 event will be announced in May. The remaining 2026 RODEOHOUSTON entertainer lineup will be announced in early 2026.

More than 250 teams compete in the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. While most team tents are invitation-only, visitors can enjoy several public venues, including The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon and the Chuckwagon. Plus, the Carnival, presented by First Community, is open for wild rides and fun games.

The Garden Stage features some of the best up-and-coming and established artists in Texas country. The Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon also features live and DJ music, and has an outside patio for visitors to enjoy. Inside the saloon is the Chuckwagon, where visitors can pick up their complimentary BBQ plate.

The location for the Houston BBQ Cookoff will be in the NRG Stadium Parking Lots.

You can buy tickets ahead of time to enter the Cook-Off Grounds, but most tents tickets for entry are given to their sponsors for their guests to enter the rodeo cookoff tents with free passes.

The Schedule for The Houston Rodeo BBQ Cook Off: Feb. 26 – 28, 2026
Thursday, Feb. 26 – 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27 – 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28 – 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Tickets: BAR-B-QUE CONTEST ADMISSION
Adult (13 & over): $26 | Child (3-12): $10 | Age two & under: Free
Concerts at The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite
Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
Admission to Saloon & Chuckwagon
Complimentary sliced brisket, beans and chips
Starting at 9 p.m. each night, the Bud Light Plaza Gate is cashless.

GROUNDS SEASON PASS
Grounds Season Pass: $57
Daily admission to World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest
Daily admission during the run of the Show, with access to all public activities at NRG Park, NRG Center & NRG Arena
Admission to Carnival (NOT valid for rides or games)
NOT INCLUDED: Rodeo & concert in NRG Stadium, Rodeo Uncorked! events

Special Days

Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ welcomes millions of visitors from all different backgrounds to NRG Park. To celebrate the diversity of the Houston community, and the Lone Star State, Special Days are offered during the Rodeo.

While the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is deeply rooted in Texas, its reach ignores borders and transcends oceans to bring the excitement of the Rodeo to livestock producers worldwide.

OPENING DAY

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026

Opening Day celebrates the uniqueness and community aspect of Houston! Guests of all ages can enjoy special giveaways, and a variety of activities planned throughout the day.

ARMED FORCES APPRECIATION DAY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026

Armed Forces Appreciation Day honors the brave men and women for their service in the U.S. military. Visitors are encouraged to come out, dress in red, white and blue, and show appreciation for the troops, past and present.

The first Family Wednesday also falls on Armed Forces Appreciation Day. We offer free admission to NRG Park grounds to the following:

• Actively serving military members in uniform and with a current military ID, plus four of their family members
• Spouses of actively serving military members currently deployed with a dependent ID, plus four of their family members
• Veterans, plus four of their family members

Rodeo/Concert tickets sold separately

FAMILY WEDNESDAYS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026 AND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026

Free Family Wednesday Admission for seniors, 60 and over, and children, 12 and under, until noon on the first and third Wednesday. (This does not include rodeo/concert admission)

The Carnival Midway will open at 1 p.m. for Armed Forces Appreciation Day and normal Spring Break hours on March 19.

Discounted rides, games and food/beverage will be available on all three Wednesdays in the Junction Carnival:

• BOGO rides and games in the Junction Carnival until 4 p.m.
• Discounted Food and Beverages in the Junction Carnival and several commercial exhibitors

SENSORY FRIENDLY DAY

THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026

A Sensory Friendly Experience is held in select areas of the Carnival, presented by First Community to promote an accommodating and positive experience for all Rodeo guests with sensory sensitivities or challenges. During this time, there will be minimal lights and sounds permitted in the Carnival.

We offer the following all 20 days of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:

• Family/Quiet Rooms that offer privacy and a quiet atmosphere located throughout the grounds.
• Sensory Friendly bags distributed near Hall A in room 102 in NRG Center (while supplies last)
• Sensory bags provided inside NRG Stadium Guest Services booths that are equipped with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools and verbal cue cards.
• Special Children’s Events

BLACK HERITAGE DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

Celebrating the contributions of the Black Cowboy to western heritage with exhibitors, school performances and entertainment throughout the day.

Day-long festivities include live entertainment on the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside, from Houston’s finest bands, choirs, dance teams, cheerleader teams, and fine arts groups; special entertainment at the Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost and in The Hideout; and historical and educational displays around the grounds of NRG Park.

FIRST RESPONDERS DAY

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo salutes the various public law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and other emergency services agencies in the Houston Metropolitan Area on First Responders Day.

• Free NRG Park admission to the grounds for all first responders with a badge, plus four of their family members (admission provided at the NRG Park entrances on First Responders Day only)
• Special equipment and services displays
• Rodeo/Concert tickets sold separately

COMMUNITY DAY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026

Community Day will provide additional discounts and value for guests coming to NRG Park on the middle Wednesday of Rodeo. All guests will enjoy free admission to the Park until noon.

The same discounted rides, games and food/beverage on Family Wednesdays will be available on Community Day.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

The Rodeo is turning the spotlight on its unsung heroes with Volunteer Appreciation Day. This day was created to say thank you to the individuals who dedicate their time and talents to our Show every year.

GO TEJANO DAY

SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2026

Go Tejano Day festivities include live entertainment on the Junction Stage, presented by Woodside Energy and in the Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost, and the Mariachi Invitational Semifinals in The Hideout. Enjoy Fiesta Charra in the NRG Center main Arena, a colorful exhibition of traditional Mexican folk dance, music and horseback riding.

Public Venues
With a Bar-B-Que Contest ticket, visitors may enjoy The Garden Stage, presented by Miller Lite, which presents some of the best names in Texas country music. The Garden Stage is located in the center of the contest grounds.

A delicious complimentary BBQ plate awaits guests at The Chuckwagon, and next door visitors can enjoy the Rockin’ Bar-B-Que Saloon, which features live and DJ music. At the saloon you can find an outdoor patio area.

The Carnival, presented by First Community, is available for people to enjoy throughout the day and night.

About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2026 Rodeo is scheduled for March 2 – March 22. The 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 26 – Feb. 28.

Since 1932
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has made an impressive footprint on the livestock and entertainment industries and in the sport of rodeo. It also has played a notable role in enhancing the lives of thousands of young people in the state of Texas.

MISSION
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community.