The 130th edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days proved that “The Daddy of ‘em All” continues to evolve while honoring the traditions that have defined the celebration since 1897.
This year’s 10-day event welcomed a record 283,138 attendees, surpassing last year’s total of 249,587, as fans flocked to Frontier Park for world-class rodeo competition, concerts and new attractions celebrating Western heritage.
The 2026 celebration embraced the theme “Year of the American Indian,” highlighted by the debut of the Morning Star American Indian Village in its new permanent location. The expanded cultural center introduced visitors to Native dance, art and storytelling, with the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes at the heart of the experience. More than 55,000 guests visited the village during the event.
More than 800 contestants competed for a share of the $1.1 million rodeo purse across 10 performances, drawing 113,787 rodeo fans. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (PRCA) Xtreme Bulls returned for a second year after earning 2025 Event of the Year honors, with Wyoming native Hayden Welsh capturing the title and $26,660. Frontier Nights also posted strong attendance, drawing 109,861 concertgoers.
The rodeo concluded last Sunday with an action-packed Championship Finals featuring standout performances across each event. Setting the storylines for the remainder of the 2026 PRCA regular season.
In the saddle bronc riding, three-time world champion Ryder Wright finally claimed his first Cheyenne Frontier Days title after more than a decade of competing at Frontier Park. Wright tied Brody Cress and Sage Newman with matching 92-point rides before winning the tiebreaker based on money earned earlier in the rodeo.
“I’ve competed here 11 years and it finally went my way,” Wright said after the victory, in an interview with the PRCA.
A new generation made its mark in team roping as Tyler Tryan, 20, and Nicky Northcott, 19, defeated world champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira in a tiebreaker after both teams stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds. Continuing their successful seasons, the young guns and longtime partners earned the title thanks to a faster aggregate time entering the finals.
Idaho cowboy Cole Eiguren secured the all-around championship and calf roping titles, continuing a family tradition, his grandfather, Jack Hannum, won Cheyenne’s all-around title in 1977 and 1979.
Other champions included Jayco Roper in the bareback riding, Slade Wood in the steer roping, Cole Pugh in the steer wrestling, Britt Bedke in the tie-down roping, Cheyanne McCartney in the breakaway roping, Tayla Moykens in the barrel racing and Luke “Colorado Kid” Mackey in the bull riding. Mackey rebounded from an early exit during the Xtreme Bulls competition to post a 90-point championship ride aboard Dakota Rodeo’s Tiger King.
Beyond the arena, Cheyenne Frontier Days introduced several new fan experiences, including the Chute 9 VIP venue overlooking the historic arena and Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen, a live talk show held in The Garden. The popular Behind the Chutes Tours also returned, giving nearly 2,400 visitors an inside look at rodeo operations.
Special themed performances throughout the week celebrated Military Monday, the Day of the American West in honor of the nation’s 250th birthday and National Day of the Cowboy. Military tributes featured performances by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachute team, flyovers by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and demonstrations by the Colorado Air National Guard’s Red Eyes of the 120th Fighter Squadron.
The 131st edition of Cheyenne Frontier Days is scheduled for July 2027. Fans and athletes alike can follow the standings updates and all the highlights of the Daddy of Em’ All on the Cowboy Plus digital and social platforms.
