Famous Rodeos Around the World – From the US to Australia

Rodeos have been captivating audiences for more than a century, providing a thrilling spectacle that showcases the skills of both the human participants and their animal counterparts. Although rodeos are traditionally associated with North America, particularly the United States, their popularity has spread across the globe, with top-tier events now held in numerous countries. Here, we take a look at some of the most notable rodeos around the world.

Festa do Peão de Barretos – Brazil

The Festa do Peão de Barretos is the biggest rodeo festival in Latin America. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the city of Barretos located in the São Paulo state. The Barretos Rodeo is known for its various rodeo events, including bull riding, team penning, and calf roping, among other competitions. It was first launched in 1956 and is going into its 66th edition in 2023.

Festa do Peão de Barretos is held in the Parque do Peão, which has over 110 hectares of land. It is the biggest and most famous rodeo in South America and will last ten days between the 17th and 27th of August 2023.

National Finals Rodeo – United States

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is one of the biggest rodeos in the United States. Organised by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the NFR is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is considered the Super Bowl of rodeo. The event is a pinnacle for cowboys and cowgirls, featuring top competitors in several categories, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. The ten-day event attracts massive crowds, with spectators drawn in by the high-stakes competition and the skill displayed by the participants.

The 65th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is scheduled to take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas from December 7 to 16, 2023. During these ten nights of competition, the top 120 contestants in the world will be vying for a PRCA World Championship and their share of the $10.9 million purse, which set a record in 2022.

The Calgary Stampede – Canada

The Calgary Stampede is one such event, known as the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth". Held annually in July, this ten-day event attracts over a million visitors each year. Alongside the traditional rodeo events, the Calgary Stampede also features a parade, concerts, agricultural competitions, and a First Nations village, providing a cultural experience that goes beyond the rodeo itself.

The Calgary Stampede, taking place from July 7-16, 2023, is a globally recognised event and one of the best rodeos in the world. Every day, the Stampede will host the World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo, which showcases the world's toughest competitors. It typically features traditional rodeo events such as bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more. The 2023 event will also celebrate 100 years of the world's premier Chuckwagon event at the Cowboys Rangeland Derby.

The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo – Australia

South of the equator, Australia hosts its own share of high-profile rodeo events. The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, held in Queensland, is the largest rodeo event in the Southern Hemisphere. The event, which has been taking place since 1959, attracts competitors from across Australia and around the world, offering a unique blend of traditional rodeo events with Australian cultural elements.

The 2023 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo is scheduled to take place from August 9 to August 13, with the main arena's rodeo action starting in the morning and running through lunchtime each day. This event is known to be the largest annual rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere and has been a significant part of the community since 1959. It attracts around 750 competitors from across Australia who compete for the richest prize pool in the country.

EquiBleus – France

The EquiBleus Rodeo is hosted annually in the stunning town of Saint-Agrève in France. It is home to one of Europe’s premier rodeo events. The EquiBleus lasts for five days in August, displaying a variety of rodeo styles such as speed, barrel racing, pole bending, cattle and handling events. Since 1998, it has attracted the best cowboys and cowgirls from across Europe.

EquiBleus is more than just a standard rodeo. It also features country music, line dancing and a Western village where people can enjoy the life of being a cowboy. Typically, the even attracts thousands of viewers to the unique rodeo variant. It is on par with many other popular French-speaking rodeos, for instance the Festival Western de St-Tite in Quebec, Canada, has a sister event in Cavaillon, France. Both events offer a mix of traditional rodeo competitions, western-themed activities, and cultural events, providing a taste of the cowboy lifestyle in a European setting.

Cheyenne Frontier Days – United States

The Cheyenne Frontier Days is one of the most celebrated rodeo events in the United States, known for its thrilling competitions and frontier exhibitions. It typically features a range of attractions from rodeo events to concerts and parades.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days 2023 rodeo, also known as the "Daddy of ‘em All", is set to take place from July 21-30. As part of the 127th annual event, this nine-day spectacle will feature fast-paced Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women's Professional Rodeo Association events, culminating in a Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are born. The event will also include a Professional Bull Riders Team Series, an elite league featuring the world's top bull riders competing in 5-on-5 bull riding games. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant array of hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food, and music celebrating the history and culture of the American West.

The Festival de la Chilenidad – Chile

In Latin America, the tradition of rodeo takes a different form, with the Chilean Rodeo standing out as a unique variant. This event, considered the national sport of Chile, features two huasos who attempt to pin a calf against large cushions on the arena's perimeter. The Festival de la Chilenidad, held in Santiago, is the most significant event in the Chilean rodeo calendar, showcasing not only the skills of the huasos, but also the rich cultural traditions of Chile.

A Truly Global Sport

From the United States to Australia, each rodeo captures the unique cultural aspects of its host country. Most importantly, the sports provides numerous betting opportunities, all of which you can enjoy right here at Galera Bet.