https://www.reddit.com/r/houston/comments/1j2aycd/houston_rodeo_explain_like_im_5/
created by status-quo-xo on 03/03/2025 at 04:54 UTC
232 upvotes, 73 top-level comments (showing 25)
I’m coming in town next weekend unrelated to the rodeo and just realized it’s going on. I impulse bought cowboy hats from Cavender’s and a pair of Amazon boots to look the part. It just dawned on me that I don’t actually have a ticket.
I don’t care about the concert or really the carnival but would love to see some live stock and horses. Which ticket should I get? What’s the difference between a grounds ticket and rodeo ticket?
Also, would it be weird wearing a cowboy hat around town while not attending the rodeo? I’m from Georgia btw.
Comment by rechlin at 03/03/2025 at 05:46 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think this will be a great megathread for all the inevitable rodeo questions over the coming weeks.
Comment by Htowntaco at 03/03/2025 at 04:59 UTC
74 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Grounds ticket gives you access to the carnival and livestock show, that’s where the Animals are. Rodeo ticket gives you access to carnival, livestock show and access into the stadium when the rodeo starts and the concert afterwards.
You should get a rodeo ticket to see the actual rodeo, it’s a lot of fun. Plus they have the calf round up and mutton busting which is fun to watch as well.
Wear the cowboy hat. It ain’t weird
Comment by Significant_Cow4765 at 03/03/2025 at 05:09 UTC
56 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Don't wear those cheap boots! You're gonna walk miles and your feet will hate you.
Comment by SnooPickles5861 at 04/03/2025 at 01:54 UTC*
52 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Do not wear brand new boots to the rodeo. Your feet will not be happy.
Comment by cbelliott at 03/03/2025 at 10:06 UTC
40 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Making it to Muttin Bustin is really all you should be concerned about, in my opinion. 🐑
Comment by 2701Ihsv1855 at 03/03/2025 at 16:45 UTC
80 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Lots of stuff to do that requires different tickets/access:
1. Livestock show (NRG Center) - requires only a grounds pass to attend. This is where exhibitors are showing their livestock that they hope to sell. They are camped out in stalls all along the center, and its fun to poke your head in and see the animals. Most of the exhibitors are tired from the trek but are happy to show you their livestock
2. Carnival (Parking lot) - requires only a grounds pass to attend
3. Rodeo (NRG Stadium) - requires a concert ticket to attend. Occurs before the concert (late afternoon early evening). This is where you'll see barrel racing, bull/bronco riding, chuckwagon races, mutton bustin, etc.
4. Concert (NRG Stadium) - requires a concert ticket to attend
5. Ranch rodeo/horse shows (NRG Arena) - I think you only need a grounds pass for this too. Smaller in scale than the full rodeo but depending on the day will have some events going on
6. Livestock auctions - check the HLSR website for dates and times. These are very fun to attend if they fit your schedule
Wear whatever, but like other commenters said break in those boots if you plan to wear them. Check out the Ranch if you have time/budget and want a fancy dinner/drinks.
Comment by Skybreakeresq at 03/03/2025 at 15:01 UTC
33 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You want to see the livestock show. To see the rodeo requires a ticket.
You're going to want to walk the fuck around in those boots and break them in really really well. YouTube tutorial breaking in boots because otherwise you're going to be miserable and get blisters
Comment by Leading_Top5905 at 03/03/2025 at 20:53 UTC
32 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It's $20ish to get on the grounds, you can walk around everything but inside the stadium. A ticket to the concert gets you access to everything out side. There's usually a table set up in the Houston Underground Tunnel for cheaper tickets/ carnival packs.
Comment by HunterHaus at 03/03/2025 at 14:57 UTC*
27 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You can check the website or better yet download the HOuston Livestock show and rodeo app. There you can check out the full schedule of events and plan your visit around what you want to see. The Arena (entry ticket) is where most of the horse events are held outside of the big stadium ones (concert ticket). Be prepared for the smell in there. It’s sawdust and animal shit 😛
If you want to go to the Carnival, Wednesday is family day and the rides are half off (a 10 ticket ride costs 5 tickets) etc. I am not sure if this is all rides or only kiddie ones so maybe ask. If you see someone standing outside the gates as you walk up with a gold rodeo badge on selling half-priced carnival tickets, it is legit and they are volunteers trying to reach their ticket quota. You can safely buy from them.
Above the area, hop into the Stockman’s club and get yourself some free peanuts and popcorn and a nice air conditioned view of the arena shows. They are open day and night. Buy some drinks to support the scholarship effort if you’d like. The milk punch is their speciality and it is delish! The cutting horses are my personal favorites to watch. Amazing what they can train them to do!!!
If you bought your hat online, take it to the hat booth there in the area and pay them to shape it for you. They’ll look at your head and face shape and make it look amazing on you. Top it off with a hat band and you’re more official than most of the Houstonians! You can also do this through Cavenders (might be free with a receipt?) but I like to support the little guys 😋
Send those rubber Amazon boots back and get a real leather pair. Once you break them in they mold to your foot and become the most comfortable thing you’ll ever wear. Condition the leather at least once a year and you’ll have a shoe for a lifetime.
Welcome and have the best time!!!
Comment by PM_Gonewild at 04/03/2025 at 10:26 UTC
25 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Just wear tennis shoes, you'll thank me later.
Comment by fortsonre at 03/03/2025 at 19:56 UTC
50 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It's a fun diversion. Get a cheap rodeo ticket, go early to see the Livestock and displays, eat food that's unhealthy but fun, then go see the rodeo and stay for the show.
Don't listen to the cynical responses. Sure, it's a tourist trap, but it doesn't mean you can't have fun. You won't see rodeo on this scale at many other places.
Comment by KapkanHasCandy at 03/03/2025 at 05:21 UTC
24 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Welcome to Houston! The rodeo is a huge deal here.
If you just want to see livestock and animals, a grounds ticket is all you need—it gives you access to the livestock show, shopping, food, and the carnival. If you want to see the actual rodeo events (bull riding, barrel racing, etc.) and the concert afterward, you’ll need a rodeo ticket, which includes everything a grounds ticket does plus entry into the stadium.
And no, wearing a cowboy hat around town is totally normal, especially during rodeo season. You might even feel underdressed without one!
Enjoy your visit, and make sure to try the rodeo food—it’s half the experience!
Comment by BM7-D7-GM7-Bb7-EbM7 at 03/03/2025 at 13:07 UTC
20 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Which ticket should I get?
Get the grounds ticket. The livestock shows are going to be in the NRG Park and NRG Arena. Note that the animals are all on different schedules so depending on which day you go, you might see maybe pigs and horses. The next day could be donkeys, etc.
https://www.rodeohouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2025_Schedule_Judges-1.pdf
What’s the difference between a grounds ticket and rodeo ticket?
Grounds get you into the site for the carnival and the livestock shows. Rodeo is the actual rodeo itself and then the concert (inside of NRG Stadium).
Comment by FitSky6277 at 03/03/2025 at 14:05 UTC*
21 upvotes, 2 direct replies
A grounds ticket will get you to the livestock show in nrg center and nrg arena
Edit: Yall are asking some great questions. I work for NRG Park as armed security to include all events at NRG Park. If you have a question, ask away. NO, I will not get you in for free, in restricted areas, or better seats than you paid for.
Comment by GarionOrb at 04/03/2025 at 02:27 UTC
23 upvotes, 1 direct replies
To see the actual rodeo (in the stadium) you need a concert ticket. I recommend it though, even if you don't stay for the actual concert.
Comment by MyBelle0211 at 03/03/2025 at 08:03 UTC
42 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Contrary to the song, these boots are NOT made for walking. 😅 You should wear your most comfortable tennis shoes because you will definitely get more than your 10,000 steps (5 miles) in!
Comment by _banjocat at 03/03/2025 at 06:36 UTC
19 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you come well before the rodeo/concert, it's way easier to get around and see stuff. Check out the horse show schedule and also the times for the general livestock show events, and you'll have a better idea of when to come based on what you'd like to see. Things get increasingly crowded as rodeo start time approaches, then quieter once people go into the stadium. It'll also be easier to leave while the masses are inside for the concert.
Honestly while the Rodeo athletes are top tier, the stadium is so giant you'd probably have a better experience seeing the primary rodeo events elsewhere. The horse events in the arena are totally worth checking out, though. I wish more people were aware of those/bothered to make their way to the arena to see. *(NOTE - if any readers have trouble with stairs, lift access to seating at the arena is limited - may need to call a posted number/find a staffer to activate lift, if they haven't improved things from previous years.)*
Unfortunately cutting was this weekend, so you missed that fun-to-watch event, but ranch rodeo on the 8th and ranch sorting on the 9th would both be worth a look. Sheepdog trials 9am on the 9th, per https://www.rodeohouston.com/calendar/[1][2] - that could be interesting too. And as someone else mentioned, check out the mutton busting! In addition to whichever livestock is showing the day you're there, there are a lot of breeds/demos/etc. in the "AgVenture" stuff located in "nrg center".
1: https://www.rodeohouston.com/calendar/
2: https://www.rodeohouston.com/calendar/
Too bad they aren't doing mounted shooting this year - that's a great spectator event. Also no donkey and mule show, alas.
Do be prepared to walk a LOT; if that means skipping the new boots, do it. The horse show is in the Arena, the other livestock will be in the big "nrg center" expo space on the other side of the site, and mutton busting and lots of other stuff will be outdoors between the two.
Comment by iwantanapppp at 03/03/2025 at 12:27 UTC
38 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Break the boots in first or you will be limping 20 minutes in.
Comment by jiggathecargoagent at 03/03/2025 at 17:21 UTC
32 upvotes, 2 direct replies
Find cheap concert tix and get into everything for like 15 dollars!!!
Comment by 29187765432569864 at 03/03/2025 at 06:24 UTC
16 upvotes, 0 direct replies
prepare for blisters if your boots are not broken in. Welcome to Houston!
Comment by Striking_Ordinary939 at 03/03/2025 at 12:45 UTC
15 upvotes, 2 direct replies
First time at the rodeo…. can I bring/wear an empty backpack for all of the inevitable impulse buys??
Comment by Tasty-Sky499 at 03/03/2025 at 15:04 UTC
15 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Take a quick tour through the carnival and get a bite to eat even if you don't plan on staying. It's worth passing through.
Comment by boomboomroom at 03/03/2025 at 15:06 UTC
43 upvotes, 1 direct replies
The Rodeo is confusing as heck. Essentially, there are like 4 things going on at once, if you come just for the rodeo (which is before the main concert of the night, and which I highly recommend - the rodeo not the singer - mutton bustin' not to be missed, or calf scramble), you may miss a lot of what is going on. See the calendar: https://www.rodeohouston.com/calendar/[1] (use the month view and then you can see the daily schedule).
1: https://www.rodeohouston.com/calendar/
Generally at noon there is some sort of "show", plus during the day, their are shows (of various talents) around the grounds on the various stages. Plus, there are just a million things going on during the day.
You can't see it all. It's like comic-con, you gotta pick and choose. But most people show up for the night's big event.
Comment by OrdinarySubstance491 at 03/03/2025 at 17:28 UTC
43 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I'm over the rodeo. I don't go anymore. But I do love the shopping. Some of the cutest and best quality western wear I've ever had, I bought at the rodeo. I still have them. That was like 10 years ago, though, so this may not be the case any longer. It was stupidly expensive, too.
Also, not weird to wear western wear around town. We Houstonians dress all kinds of ways. Wear whatever you want, seriously, anything goes. Just please wear clothes that cover all the good bits.
Comment by cat-geo at 03/03/2025 at 22:54 UTC
43 upvotes, 0 direct replies
DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR VEHICLE EVER & ALWAYS LOCK YOUR DOORS!
You don’t want your windows smashed because you thought it was obvious that the crumpled up bag was trash. Also, if your car windows do get smashed, call the police. They won’t do anything to help, but at least it will be counted in the crime stats.