$1M rodeo and concert festival saddles up for Tampa

For three nights next February, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play host to bucking broncos as a $1 million rodeo and concert festival makes its Tampa debut.

The Hondo Rodeo Fest is scheduled for Feb. 26-28, 2027, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, bringing 76 invited rodeo athletes, nightly concerts and a free Western-themed street festival to the stadium, organizers announced Tuesday.

The event will feature world champion cowboys and cowgirls competing across eight rodeo disciplines for a share of a $1 million purse. Organizers have not yet announced the participating athletes or musical performers for the Tampa festival.

The concert lineup is expected to be released Aug. 17, with athlete announcements and other programming details to follow, according to the release.

“Tampa represents an exciting new chapter for Hondo Rodeo Fest,” CEO James Trawick says in the release. "The region's rich agricultural history and deep-rooted appreciation for hard work and community make it a natural place to bring our event next.”

The Hondo Rodeo Fest debuted at Chase Field in Phoenix in November 2024 and later expanded to Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Past competitors have included Professional Bull Riders world champion John Crimber, four-time world champion barrel racer Hailey Kinsel and four-time world champion saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston.

Previous concert lineups have featured Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band and Creed. The performers appearing in Tampa could include country or rock acts, according to organizers.

A free fan festival will begin outside Raymond James Stadium at noon each day, offering live entertainment, food and drinks, shopping, interactive attractions and activities for families.

The rodeo competition will run from 6-8 p.m. beginning Feb. 26. Two concerts will follow nightly from 8:30-11 p.m.

Tickets will go on presale Aug. 26 and 27, with organizers advertising a limited number at 25% off. General sales begin Aug. 28, with discounts scheduled to decrease through Oct. 2 before regular pricing takes effect. Organizers said the sales schedule is subject to change.

Additional information is available at the Hondo Rodeo Fest’s website.