July 17-26, 2026
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
July 17-26, 2026
Episode #13:
2026: The Year of the American Indian, the 250th anniversary of our great nation, and the biggest, most exciting Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration yet… capped off with some extra-bright stars to light up Frontier Nights!
Listen in as Tara Vreeland, former Miss Frontier 2004, catches up with Carly Dibble—Talent Buyer, for Romeo Entertainment Group—about this year’s lineup, and what it takes to bring these world-class performers to our stage.
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
Cheyenne Frontier Days™ (CFD), the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, today announced the complete Frontier Nights® entertainment series for 2026.
July 17: Treaty Oak Revival with Jessie Murph
July 18: Alex Warren
July 19: The Red Clay Strays with Wyatt Flores
July 20-21: PRCA Xtreme Bulls
July 22: Riley Green with Trace Adkins
July 23: Blake Shelton
July 24: Hardy with Cameron Whitcomb
July 25: Zach Top with Jo Dee Messina
July 17-26: PRCA Rodeo
Night show prices range from $72 – $110, rooftop starts at $200, and Tunes on the Terrace range from $225 – $275. Fans can upgrade to a Frontier Nights® Fast Pass for early admission to the Party Zone. Xtreme Bulls tickets range from $25 – $95. A $5 discount is offered on night show tickets purchased before July 1.
Frontier Nights® tickets will go on sale Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 9 a.m. MST at www.cfdrodeo.com. To streamline fan access, tickets will be sold online only that day to accommodate purchase volume. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Ticket Office, the only authorized source of tickets for the event, will open for in-person and phone sales on Friday, December 12 at 9 a.m. MST.
“The 2026 Frontier Nights is stacked with superstar power and fresh talent,” said Mike Wilkinson, Contract Acts Chairman. “We’re proud to bring together iconic headliners and rising stars for nights that will stay with our fans long after the lights go down. It’s one of our most dynamic lineups yet.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days partners with AXS, a global leader in ticketing for the entertainment world. For the full schedule, artist profiles, and more event information, please visit www.cfdrodeo.com.
Rodeo, Carnival, Chuckwagon, and More on sale December 4
Rodeo ticket sales were announced in November and will go on sale December 4. Rodeo tickets range from $26–$53, with a $3 discount available before July 1.
The carnival midway, hosted by Carnival Americana and Fun Biz Concessions, along with hundreds of vendors, and Western entertainment will also return to the Daddy of ‘em All.
Carnival Armbands are $45 per session or $155 for all ten days.
VIP Chuckwagon Experience tickets are $35 – $85 and now include an option for breakfast, along with the existing dinner and takeout option on the second Saturday.
With Expanded 10-Day Rodeo, VIP Chute 9 Seating, and PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Returns
Plus Frontier Nights Concert Lineup Announcement
Tickets On Sale December 4; Frontier Nights Concert Lineup to Be Announced December 2
CHEYENNE, WY – Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) is gearing up for the 2026 celebration featuring ten full days of PRCA rodeo action, the return of PRCA Xtreme Bulls, and new VIP seating with the Chute 9 expansion. Fans can also purchase carnival armbands and VIP Chuckwagon Experience tickets.
Ticket sales will begin December 4 at 9 a.m. MST at www.cfdrodeo.com.
In addition, CFD will announce the 2026 Frontier Nights Concert Line-up on December 2 with tickets to go on sale December 11 at 9 a.m. MST.
The 130th Brings Ten Days of Rodeo Action
For the first time, Cheyenne Frontier Days will feature ten consecutive rodeo performances, running July 17-26, extending the historic tournament-style format that crowns champions on Championship Sunday.
“We are proud to extend our rodeo performances to the first Friday of CFD,” said Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO, Tom Hirsig. “This will give rodeo fans one extra day to enjoy the fast-paced action at the Daddy of ‘em All.”
Daily rodeo tickets range from $26–$53, with a $3 discount available before July 1.
Xtreme Bulls Returns
The PRCA Xtreme Bulls returns July 20 and 21 for two nights. The event features the top 40 bull riders in the PRCA taking on the rankest bulls in rodeo. The money won at the CFD PRCA Xtreme Bulls counts toward the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings for bull riding, which determines qualifiers for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Xtreme Bulls tickets range from $25–$95, with a $5 discount available before July 1.
New Chute 9 VIP Experience
Fans can experience the rodeo from the all-new Chute 9 VIP seating area. Chute 9 boxes offer premium views, dedicated service, and enhanced food and beverage options.
The removal of the existing Chute 9 allows CFD an historic opportunity for expansion of the VIP experience. The tables and stadium-style seating that will be available at Chute 9 offer CFD patrons the opportunity to upgrade for rodeo performances. Individual seats are $125 to $150 and will be available for purchase online.
Carnival, Chuckwagon, and More
The carnival midway hosted by Carnival Americana and Fun Biz Concessions, hundreds of vendors, and Western entertainment will also return to the Daddy of ‘em All.
Carnival Armbands are $45 per session or $155 for all ten days.
VIP Chuckwagon Experience tickets are $35 – $85 and now include an option for breakfast, along with the existing dinner and takeout option on the second Saturday.
Frontier Nights Concert Lineup Announcement – December 2
CFD will reveal some of the names in the 2026 Frontier Nights® concert lineup on December 2. Concert tickets will go on sale online only on Thursday, December 11 at 9 a.m. The CFD Ticket Office will reopen for in-person sales on December 12.
“Our fans have asked that we share performer names when we have them confirmed,” said Hirsig. “Since we were able to secure most of the names for the 2026 season at this point, we are now sharing what we have in hand, so that fans can start their summer entertainment plans now.”
Episode #12:
He’s a 4X Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) saddle bronc champion, 9X National Finals Rodeo qualifier, and bona fide hometown hero… and still, Cheyenne’s own Brody Cress is as down to Earth as it gets.
Today, Brody—along with his parents, Tommy and Lannette Cress—joins CFD Chief Executive Officer Tom Hirsig to share what it means to represent your hometown, stay true to your roots, and inspire the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls.
Let’s ride.
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
Cheyenne Frontier Days has been honored with the 2025 PRCA Remuda Award, recognizing the rodeo committee that provides the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses in professional rodeo.
The Remuda Award, presented annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), celebrates a rodeo and stock contractor that offers contestants the highest-quality livestock, giving cowboys the best opportunity to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field.
“It’s really exciting for us to even be considered for the Remuda Award,” Cheyenne Frontier Days CEO Tom Hirsig said. “There are so many great rodeos out there and the quality of bucking horses has gone through the roof.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days has worked diligently to develop its tournament-style format, with nine evenly matched performances designed to give each cowboy an equal shot at the title. Working closely with Smith Pro Rodeos, the committee collaborates with multiple subcontractors to assemble nine balanced pens of horses, a process requiring months of planning and deep knowledge of each animal’s style and ability.
Hirsig gave a special thank you to Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, the primary stock contractor for Cheyenne Frontier Days, and acknowledged the other contractors that provide livestock for the eight-day rodeo extravaganza.
“I think we’re just very thankful that we’ve got Stace Smith, who really cares about our rodeo and is trying to make it one of the best ones when it comes to the bucking horses,” Hirsig said. “He’s worked hard to try to get us to this level and it’s great to see that we’re getting acknowledged for it.”
Cheyenne Frontier Days also continues to invest in animal welfare and performance excellence. In collaboration with Smith Pro Rodeos and the Samuelson Family, the organization developed a dedicated resting and grazing area north of Cheyenne to provide bucking stock with a quiet, natural environment during the celebration, ensuring the horses remain in peak condition.
The Samuelson Family has been a tremendous supporter of Cheyenne Frontier Days, and their generosity made this important project possible. Their unwavering commitment to the sport, the animals, and the spirit of the Daddy of ’em All has strengthened CFD’s foundation and helped ensure that both contestants and livestock perform at their best.
The award will be presented at the PRCA Awards Banquet on Dec. 3 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, ahead of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Episode #11:
From the celebrated Paramount series Yellowstone, to riding horseback as the Grand Marshal in our grand parade, actor and American Indian cultural advisor Mo Brings Plenty carries a distinct presence and energy everywhere he goes.
You’ll see—and hear—that energy in action as we welcome Mo to the podcast, where Former Miss Frontier 2004 Tara Vreeland finds out:
When Mo realized his voice and work would shape how people understand American Indian culture
Mo’s greatest hopes for the next generation
How Mo felt about being part of the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration
What sets the Morning Star American Indian Village apart from traditional concepts
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
Episode #10:
A Bright Future for Native Culture at Frontier Park
As the sun sets on this year’s Daddy of ‘em All, a new star begins to sparkle in the distance: the Morning Star Indian Village, a living celebration and immersive experience of American Indian culture.
Slated for opening in 2026—when Cheyenne Frontier Days celebrates the Year of the American Indian—this dynamic venue will come to life during our annual 10-day event, then transition into a seasonal educational destination for the rest of the year.
Here to share their insights on what you can look forward to inside the Morning Star American Indian Village—and its deep significance to the Native populations in our region—we’re joined by Ivan Posey (Tribal Education Coordinator for Central Wyoming College), Sandra Iron Cloud (Coordinator for the Little Sun Drum and Dance Group), and Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation Board Member Affie Ellis.
Find out more about the Morning Star American Indian Village project at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation website.
Stream The Official Podcast of Cheyenne Frontier Days any time, anywhere, on: SPOTIFY | APPLE
MeadowAnn King has been named the Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) 2026 Lady-in-Waiting after a selection process that included a written application, an accomplishment book, a horsemanship skills demonstration and an interview.
MeadowAnn is the daughter of John and Ginger King. She is a 2024 graduate of Cheyenne Central High School, where she was involved in wrestling, softball, cheerleading, volleyball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FFA, 4-H and multiple leadership roles. She is currently attending Laramie County Community College, pursuing degrees in elementary education and kinesiology.
Her family has proudly served as CFD volunteers for decades. King and her siblings, Wyatt and Bella, have carried on the volunteer tradition in roles such as mounted marshals, ticket committee workers, mare and colt race competitors, night show security, and outriders for the parade. One of King’s most meaningful high school experiences was serving as a CFD Dandy, a dream she had since childhood.
“For me, this role is not about standing in the spotlight but about riding for the brand, doing everything I can to make the committee, my community and our volunteers proud while celebrating and advocating for the growth of rodeo,” King said. “I want to be a small part of the incredible machine of volunteers who make Cheyenne Frontier Days possible, carrying forward the same spirit of service and dedication my family has lived by for generations.”
King will work with Miss Frontier Katherine Olson in 2026 to represent Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The leadership of Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) has named new General Committee members for the 2026 celebration.
The Board of Directors has selected Hans Ritschard to be the next General Chairman. Ritschard is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel who now directs improvement work at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. He served as Military Chairman from 2014 to 2016 and was a member of the CFD Board of Directors from 2018 to 2024, including two years as board chairman.
Jenny Lakin has been selected as the new Concessions Chairman. Lakin is a manager in provider relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. She has volunteered on the Concessions Committee for 17 years. Lakin was named Concessions Committee Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and was inducted into the HEELS in 2021.
Richard “Bull” Singhas has been selected as the new Parades Chairman. Singhas is a construction manager for the U.S. Air Force and holds a master’s degree in management. He has volunteered on the CFD Parades Committee for 21 years and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2014. Singhas was inducted into the HEELS in 2018.
Jimbo Tanner has been selected as the new Rodeo Chairman. Tanner is the general manager at B&W Glass Inc. He has volunteered on the Rodeo Committee since 2003, was named Rodeo Committee Volunteer of the Year in 2014 and was inducted into the HEELS in 2016.
“It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve Cheyenne Frontier Days as the next General Chairman,” General Chairman Hans Ritschard said. “It is also humbling to succeed those leaders who have built such a strong foundation. St. Bernard of Chartres compared us to dwarves perched on the shoulders of giants. He said that though we might see more and farther than our predecessors, it is not because we have keener vision or greater height, but because we are lifted and held up by their giant size. I would like to thank outgoing General Chairman John Contos, along with Chairmen Woody Acord, Jason Bain, Byron Matthews, and Jim VanCise for their longstanding dedication and commitment to our organization.”
The General Committee has already begun planning for the 130th Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2026 — the Year of the American Indian — which will feature the grand opening of the Morning Star American Indian Village and the reconstruction of Chute 9.
From sunup to sunset, the 129th edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days was packed with entertainment, memorable moments and a boost to the local economy.
This year’s theme, the “Year of the Bull,” honored legendary bulls, bull riders, bullfighters and stock contractors. Special tributes throughout the event recognized the iconic figures and animals that helped shape the sport of rodeo.
Cheyenne Frontier Days, established in 1897, would not be possible without the dedication of the Cheyenne community, staff, and more than 3,000 volunteers who put in countless hours to bring the celebration to life.
Nearly 1,600 rodeo contestants came to Frontier Park to compete for $1.3 million in prize money. The addition of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Xtreme Bulls added $100,000 of that prize money and is likely to become a fan favorite event.
The rodeo’s qualifying rounds started on July 7 bringing over 1,000 hopeful contestants to Frontier Park. From those, the 72 best in steer wrestling, breakaway, team and tie-down roping advanced to performances. The top 12 steer ropers on two head punched their ticket directly to Championship Sunday.
Across nine rodeo performances, 110,383 fans attended the event, compared to 115,494 in 2024. The Quarter Finals, Semifinals and Finals were broadcast on The Cowboy Channel, while qualifying rounds streamed on The Cowboy Channel+ app. The final Saturday also honored National Day of the Cowboy.
On-site attractions included longtime favorites such as the Indian Village, various musical stages around the park, vendors and carnival. The Behind the Chutes Tours remained a popular free experience, with 4,001 guests getting a behind-the-scenes look at the rodeo arena and livestock.
Cheyenne Frontier Days continued to spotlight suicide prevention and mental health awareness through the Pick-Up Man Initiative. Yellow feathers on cowboy hats across Frontier Park served as visible reminders to “pick up” those who may be struggling.
Military Monday paid tribute to all branches of the armed forces, with free admission for active-duty service members and veterans. Special opening ceremonies included a performance by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachute team, a display of military vehicles around the track, and a giant American flag carried by volunteers. With a change to performance day, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds screamed across the Wyoming skies on the final Saturday.
Frontier Nights drew 113,144 attendees, compared to 119,793 in 2024. On the final Saturday night, Megan Moroney broke the Cheyenne Frontier Days record for a female artist, with more than 20,400 tickets sold.
The 2025 celebration also introduced the inaugural PRCA Xtreme Bulls at Cheyenne Frontier Days. This standalone, two-night event brought the top 40 bull riders in the world together to compete against some of the toughest bulls in the sport. Held under the lights at Frontier Park, the high-adrenaline event quickly became a fan favorite and served as a fitting highlight of the Year of the Bull. 13,977 fans turned out for high-scoring rides and an electric atmosphere.
In addition to rodeo and concert attendance, 26,060 gate admission tickets were sold, bringing total attendance to 249,587.
Approximately 6,500 head of livestock were on-site for rodeo events, parades and bull riding. Veterinarians conducted multiple daily health inspections on all animals. Ten animals required treatment, and all but three recovered.
Downtown Cheyenne hosted four parades and three pancake breakfasts as part of the festivities. Horse-drawn wagons and other historic entries paraded through the streets, celebrating Western heritage. The Kiwanis Club, CFD volunteers and community members served 17,059 people during the free pancake breakfasts.
The Native American Indian Village offered interactive cultural experiences for all ages, including storytelling, hoop dancing and flute music. Approximately 38,600 people visited the village, closing the chapter on its current location. Mo Brings Plenty, star of Yellowstone, was our guest and Grand Marshal of the Tuesday parade.
“Cheyenne Frontier Days 2025 was remarkable.” said General Chairman John Contos. “Celebrating the Year of the Bull gave us an incredible platform to showcase rodeo’s legacy. At the same time, we could welcome new generations of fans to the sport and traditions that we love. Our volunteers, staff, sponsors and community members once again made it all possible. We can’t thank them enough.”
As the dust settles on another unforgettable celebration, planning is already underway for the 130th anniversary in 2026 — the Year of the American Indian — and the grand opening of the new Morning Star Indian Village, as well as the reconstruction of Chute 9.