Move Over Diamondbacks, the Hondo Cowboys Are Coming To Town

Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks MLB team, but for one weekend in November, the area is filled with cowboy hats and bucking horses. The Hondo Rodeo Fest turns downtown Phoenix into a cowboy town.

The Hondo Rodeo Fest was established in 2024 with the inaugural event turning into a smashing success. Over 60,000 fans witnessed top-tier rodeo action followed by headliner concerts. This year's concert lineup includes Nickelback, Treaty Oak Revival, Kid Rock, Jon Pardi, Jason Aldean and Riley Green.

The event turned heads in the industry in its first year and certainly made a lasting impression on the cowboys and cowgirls who were invited. It is now a treasured invite.

The fun-filled event is not sanctioned by any professional rodeo association. It is an entirely standalone event. Doing this allows them to set their own competition standards and only take the talent they choose. They invite eight cowboys and cowgirls in each event to come and compete for substantial prize money.

The contestants will compete each night starting on November 7 and finishing up on November 9. In 2024, the payout boasted $1million breaking out like this:

Each Event Per-Round Payout (2024)

• 1st place: $12,000
• 2nd place: $7,500
• 3rd place: $3,500
• 4th place: $1,500

Average and Overall Payout (2024)

• 1st place: $20,000
• 2nd place: $12,500

So, who are the invitees per event? Well get ready for a jam-packed, talent-filled roster because the Hondo is the best of the best.

Bareback Riding