Indian Relay Championship of Champions Moving to Frontier Park

The Horse Nations Indian Relay Council (HNIRC) is proud to announce that the Indian Relay Championship of Champions will be held at Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming, September 25–27, 2026. Tickets for the highly anticipated event go on sale April 1, 2026, and fans are encouraged to purchase early as seating will be first come, first served.

Frontier Park, best known as the home of the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days, provides a historic and exciting venue for one of the most thrilling sports in Native American culture. The 2026 event celebrates the 10th Annual Indian Relay Championship of Champions, a major milestone for the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council. Moving the event to Cheyenne begins an exciting new chapter as Indian Relay racing continues to grow in popularity, drawing competitors and fans from across North America.

“We are excited to bring the Championship of Champions to Cheyenne,” said Calvin Ghost Bear, President of the Horse Nations Indian Relay Council. “Frontier Park is one of the most iconic western venues in the country, and we’re proud to showcase Native horsemanship and culture in a place with such deep rodeo history.”

The three-day event will feature the fastest and most skilled Indian Relay teams in North America competing for the coveted Championship title. Each performance will begin at 2:00 p.m., with races taking place on Friday, September 25, Saturday, September 26, and culminating in an action-packed Championship Sunday on September 27.

Indian Relay racing is widely considered America’s first extreme sport, rooted in tribal traditions and horsemanship that date back generations. Teams race bareback around the track while exchanging horses at full speed between laps, creating one of the most electrifying spectacles in horse racing.

Each team races with three horses, one rider, and a skilled crew of holders and catchers who assist with lightning-fast exchanges between laps. The sport requires exceptional horsemanship, courage, teamwork, and precision timing.

The Championship of Champions brings together over 100 relay teams representing 15 tribal nations, drawing thousands of spectators each year. Fans attending the event in Cheyenne can expect a high-energy atmosphere filled with competitive racing, cultural pride, and the unique traditions that make Indian Relay one of the most exciting spectator sports in North America. Previous host cities have included Billings, Montana; Walla Walla, Washington; Fort Pierre, South Dakota; and Casper, Wyoming.

The event is expected to bring visitors from across the United States, Canada, and Europe to Cheyenne during the fall tourism season.

Tickets for the Championship of Champions go on sale April 1, 2026, and can be purchased at: www.horsenationsindianrelay.com

Due to high demand and first-come, first-served seating, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

About Horse Nations Indian Relay Council

The Horse Nations Indian Relay Council (HNIRC) was established in 2016 to preserve, promote, and expand the sport of Indian Relay racing. Rooted deeply in Native American culture, Indian Relay showcases the extraordinary horsemanship, speed, and agility of its competitors. HNIRC’s mission is to honor the heritage of Indian Relay racing, support the communities involved, and inspire new generations of fans and competitors. Through its events and partnerships, the organization works to bring greater awareness and appreciation of Native American traditions to audiences across North America.