MAY 22-23,
2026

ATHLETE FAQs

HOW MUCH ARE THE ENTRY FEES?

Entry fees in the Breakaway Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling and certain barrel racing events are $400 (plus svc. charge). 
THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL FEES AT REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS UNLESS YOU ENTER A BUY-BACK (REDEMPTION) ROUND!
Qualifier fees in Roughstock events are $545 at Qualifiers and $1,000 for Regional buy-ins.
The entry fees in the barrel racing are $545 with $125 of that being jackpotted, unless the producer opts to not offer the jackpot in which case barrel racing fees would be $400 (plus svc. charge).
**Barrel racing qualifiers are managed by BBR unless special approval at select rodeos/races is arranged. 

WHERE CAN I FIND QUALIFIERS?

Qualifier events are currently posted here: https://americanrodeo.com/qualifier-events/.
Better Barrel Races sanctioned events are also posted here: https://www.betterbarrelraces.com/TheAmerican.

HOW DO I QUALIFY?

A maximum of 95 Automatic Advancements per discipline will be taken at each Regional Semi-Finals.
Athletes earn Automatic Advancement according to the scale below.
1 entry = 0 Automatic Advancements, 10 Points
2-4 entries = 1 Automatic Advancement, 2nd - 4th Receive Points Beginning with 10
5-7 entries = 2 Automatic Advancements, 5th - 7th Receive Points Beginning with 10
8-10 entries = 3 Automatic Advancements, 4th - 10th Receive Points Beginning with 15
11-15 entries = 4 Automatic Advancements, 5th - 15th Receive Points Beginning with 15
16-20 entries = 5 Automatic Advancements, 6th - 20th Receive Points Beginning with 20
21-25 entries = 6 Automatic Advancements, 7th - 25th Receive Points Beginning with 20
26-34 entries = 8 Automatic Advancements, 9th - 34th Receive Points Beginning with 25
35-59 entries = 10 Automatic Advancements, 11th - 35th places Receive Points Beginning with 25
61-70 entries = 11 Automatic Advancements, 12th - 40th places Receive Points Beginning with 30
71-80 entries = 12 Automatic Advancements, 13th - 42nd places Receive Points Beginning with 30
MUST HAVE A QUALIFIED TIME OR SCORE TO ADVANCE!

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS?

AMERICAN RODEO EAST REGIONALS  
April 9-11, 2026 - Lexington, Kentucky - Alltech Arena
$311,825 PAID OUT AT THE 2025 EVENT

AMERICAN RODEO CENTRAL REGIONALS
April 16-18, 2026 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - OG&E Arena
$443,485 PAID OUT AT THE 2025 EVENT

AMERICAN RODEO WEST REGIONALS  
April 30-May 2, 2026 – Las Vegas, Nevada - South Point Arena
$353,622 PAID OUT AT THE 2025 EVENT

HOW DO DIRECT BUY-INS WORK?

In the 2024-25 season direct buy-ins will be offered at each of the 3 Regional Semis in all events with the exception of BARREL RACING. Fees are $1,000 per entry plus service charge. Buy-ins fill positions up to the total of 125 in each discipline at each Regional and entry details will be posted at least 30 days prior. NO WALK-UPS

WHAT IS THE REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS FORMAT IN ROUGHSTOCK?

One long go on Friday with a Finals for the Top 10 on Saturday. Payout offered in Long Go and Finals. $20K per discipline guaranteed in Finals + jackpot payouts in the Long Go.

WHAT IS THE REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS FORMAT IN TIMED EVENTS?

Two prelimiary go-rounds held Thursday and Friday with a Finals on Saturday for the Top 10 + Top 3 from the Buy-Back round. Jackpot payouts in each Go Round plus the Aggregate. $20K per discipline guaranteed money in the Finals.