Location
2600 Geneva Avenue
Daly City, CA 94014
415-404-4100
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Children under two are free. (May be required to lap sit.)
The Grand National Rodeo is an action-packed night of competition and family entertainment.
Born from the spirited competition around ranching skills, rodeo contests display speed, skill, and agility in western sports. Bull riding, bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and breakaway roping make up the core of the rodeo performance. These feats are woven together with comedy, music, and jaw dropping performances such as trick riding and bull jumping. The Grand National Rodeo has been produced by the excellence of Flying U Rodeo for nearly six decades.
The Grand National Rodeo experience is completed by great food, unique bar spaces, and western shopping.
Since 2024, the Grand National Rodeo has become a qualifier for the American Rodeo contender tournament and the path to the $1 million awarded at the American Rodeo finals in Ft. Worth Texas in March 2026.
Thank you for attending the 2025 Grand National Rodeo
Mark your calendars for 2026
Women of Rodeo: Oct 3
Grand National Rodeo: Oct 9 & 10
Day 1
October 10, 2025
First Responders’ Night
Schedule for both days
6:00 pm
Doors Open for Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment and Line Dancing instruction
5:30 pm
“Behind the Chutes” tours
(separate ticket, pre-paid)
6:30 pm
Arena Opens
7:15 pm
Diablo Ladies Drill Team
7:30 pm
RODEO TIME!
9:30 pm
Rodeo Concludes
Grand National After Party!
Shopping and Entertainment in the North Hall
10:30 pm
All Halls Close
Day 2
October 11, 2025
Military Night
Golden Circle of Champions
Schedule subject to change
Day 2
October 11, 2025
Military Night
Golden Circle of Champions
Rodeo Competitions
The collection of sporting events that make up a rodeo built on horsemanship and livestock handling skill necessary on working ranches and farms. In the sport of rodeo, events are judged by best time and highest skill.
Bareback Riding
Bareback riding is perhaps rodeo’s oldest and most challenging sport. The rider must remain on the horse for 8 seconds without the benefit of any equipment except for a single rigging to hand onto. The performance of the rider and the bronc are both judged for a combined possible score of 100, taking into account the unique bucking style of the bronc.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Saddle bronc riding is rodeo’s classic event, both a complement and contrast to the wilder spectacles of bareback riding and bull riding. Rhythm between the contestant and the horse is the key in saddle bronc riding. The rider must remain on the horse for 8 seconds and the winner decided by the best score of 100.
Team Roping
Two riders work together to rope a steer, one roping the head (this rider is called the header) and the other roping the back let (this rider called the heeler). Great skill and coordination is required and the win goes to the best time.
Barrel Racing
Barrel racing is about speed, where a horse and rider run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels to achieve the fastest time. The skill of the rider, the agility of the horse, and the connection between the two are the key elements in this exiting competition.
Steer Wrestling
Also known as bulldogging, steer wrestling is an event in which a horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then pulls the steer to the ground. The riding is judged by time.
Breakaway Roping
Breakaway roping is the fastest growing rodeo competition in the sport. The goal is to achieve the fastest time roping a calf. The calf gets a head start running into the arena followed by the roper. The rope is attached to the saddle with the light, breakable string. As soon as the calf is roped and places some tension on the rope, the rope breaks allowing the calf to run free.
Bull Riding
Bull riding is the most recognized as well as exciting rodeo contest where riders have to maintain their balance on a tamed bull for a 8 seconds. It is considered one of the most dangerous rodeo sports, where injuries are common. It requires flexibility, coordination, courage and stamina. The winning score is the highest out of 100, with half of the evaluation on the rider and the other half on the bucking style and effort of the bull.
2026 Miss Grand National Rodeo Honna Lei Schallmo
Miss Grand National Rodeo
This annual event selects a young lady to serve as an ambassador for the sport of rodeo and the community for the following year after being selected. The ideal candidate is someone with a passion for rodeo, horses, and the western way of life. Miss GNR visits other local rodeo, western events, and makes local public appearances. She also assists with the Grand National Rodeo’s youth field trips, Reading Rodeo, and Golden Circle of Champions fundraiser. Judges look for someone who is well spoken, knowledgeable, positive, and outgoing.
Congratulations to 2026 Miss Grand National Rodeo Honna Lei Schallmo!
Apply to be the 2027 Miss Grand National Rodeo, and take the sash, crown, buckle, and saddle to rodeos and appearances across California! Download Information and Rules here, and the Application here.
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE OF CHAMPIONS AT THE GRAND NATIONAL RODEO
This is the Cow Palace’s third year participating as a Golden Circle of Champions rodeo, supporting those young champions fighting pediatric cancer. Please join us in our support of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Child Life Services program, supporting young patients during their cancer treatment journey.
At UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, child life specialists and creative arts therapists strive to create positive health care experiences for children, youths and families.
Families often have questions about how to make sure their kids feel ready for a procedure or a stay in the hospital. The mission of Child Life Services is to help children and other family members prepare for and cope with these experiences. Certified child life specialists, music therapists, art therapists, educators and parent liaisons are trained in child and family development, and understand the specific needs of children, teens and families in the hospital. Through support, play and education, they collaborate with parents and other caregivers to ensure a friendly and comfortable medical environment for each child.
Each night of the Grand National Rodeo, we’ll be “passing the golden bucket” to collect money for this incredible program. You may also donate via our online platform using the QR code.
To learn more about the Golden Circle of Champions, visit www.goldencircleofchampions.com
