RodeoHouston 2020 cancelled

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo suddenly canceled amid coronavirus concerns

RodeoHouston 2020 will be cancelled, according to Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Photo courtesy of RodeoHouston

UPDATE:

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will end, and "phase down" at 4 pm Wednesday, March 11, at a press conference. Ticket refunds will be posted on the RodeoHouston website. Those who purchased tickets through AXS can get information via the website.

He will also sign an emergency health declaration for the City of Houston, which will remain in place for seven days. A continuation will depend on a vote by city council.

The Tour de Houston will also be canceled or rescheduled, as will other City of Houston events.

"We'll make the necessary decisions to keep everyone safe," Turner added.

Meanwhile, rodeo officials released this statement:

In the interest of public health, the City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close. The Rodeo will respectfully and dutifully comply with the City’s order.

The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a fabric of this community since 1932. Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year.

We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage. We will provide additional information as it becomes available. Updates will be posted at rodeohouston.com/2020.

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The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be canceled due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus, according to city officials. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told council members on Wednesday, March 11, that the rodeo would be closing down some 11 days ahead of the March 22 finale, according to CultureMap content partner, ABC13.

An official closing date and plans for refunds have yet to be announced.

This comes as an online petition was started ahead of Wednesday's announcement, which was signed by thousands. Thus far, 14 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Houston. More than 500,000 fans have already attended the rodeo, which started on March 3. The rodeo sees more than 2.5 million visitors per year.

The rodeo is the latest in a growing number of large events across the United States that have been cancelled or postponed, including South by Southwest, which has already announced layoffs. Initially, the rodeo had balked on closing, citing visitor demographics.

“The Rodeo is predominantly a local event, with 73 percent of the 2019 Rodeo visitors residing in the greater Houston area, 94 percent in Texas, and 99 percent in the U.S.," the rodeo statement read. “In contrast, 26 percent of the 2019 SXSW attendees were international.”

The 2019 rodeo generated a total economic impact of $227 million, per the rodeo’s 2019 Economic Impact Study. The rodeo also provided a total economic activity of $391 million in Greater Houston.

CultureMap will update this story as it develops.

houston-rodeo

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

rodeohouston houston livestock show and rodeo