San Diego Rodeo returns to Petco Park 2026

Will there be a rodeo at Petco Park in 2026? Yes. Great news if you love rodeos and if you are not the horse. The rodeo will be returning to Petco Park!

The rodeo returns to Petco Park January 16-18, 2026, featuring some of the sport's most talented cowboys competing for more than $500,000 in prize money. The three-day event is presented by C5 Rodeo Co. and Outriders Presents in partnership with the Padres.

New for 2026: BeerFest on Friday and Saturday featuring beer specials from local and national breweries in Gallagher Square. A drone show lights up the sky Friday night after the final event. Sunday features a western-themed KidsFest with games, balloon artists, and inflatables.

Tickets: Rodeo tickets are on sale now!

After-Party Concerts: Live music follows each night of competition in Gallagher Square. Separate tickets required. View concert lineup and tickets.

Dates: Friday, January 16 through Sunday, January 18, 2026

View the full rodeo schedule for event times and details.

View Rodeo Schedule »

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Food & Drink

Select concessions will be available for purchase each day of the event. No outside food or beverages are allowed. No water bottles.

Parking

Check prices and options for nearby rodeo parking:

Friday | Saturday | Sunday

Always a good idea to read about our favorite lots in the Petco Park Parking Guide.

Hotels Near San Diego Rodeo

Stay the night at one of these recommended hotels nearby.

Rodeo Layout and Seating Chart

The infield baseball diamond becomes the arena. Sections 101-116 will have the closest view of the action. Behind the infield on the 3rd base side are on-field suites. Behind 1st base is the VIP area. The Warm Up area is in left field in front of the bullpen and sections 126-134 (even).

Rodeo Bag Policy

Read up on the bag rules on purses and backpacks.

Animal Welfare Concerns and Legal Action

The San Diego Rodeo has faced ongoing opposition from animal rights groups since its inception. The Animal Protection and Rescue League filed a lawsuit against the Padres seeking to stop the event, with a trial beginning January 13, 2026 in San Diego Superior Court. The lawsuit centers on allegations of animal abuse, including the death of a horse named "Waco Kid" during the 2024 rodeo. According to court testimony, Waco Kid was ridden into a barrier during a relay race and died immediately at the scene. Discovery records revealed that Waco Kid had to be transported out in a sled, was kept overnight at Helen Woodward Animal Center, and was released the next day to his owners still unable to stand or walk, with a "very poor prognosis" given by the rodeo's local veterinarian. A pregnant horse also died during a previous year's rodeo; a San Diego Humane Society investigation found the cause was a ruptured uterine artery that "happened spontaneously" but could not definitively determine whether rodeo participation directly caused the death. If successful, the lawsuit would ban practices such as calf roping and the use of bucking straps. The San Diego Tourism Marketing District withdrew its funding for the 2026 event—the first time it has not provided support after contributing approximately $150,000 in previous years. Monster Energy also reportedly withdrew as a sponsor. Additional major sponsors including Diageo and Casamigos have also pulled their support. Animal rights protesters continue to gather outside event gates. Read more about ongoing rodeo opposition efforts, or follow current trial coverage.

Rodeos in San Diego

This is Petco Park's third rodeo, and San Diego has a long history of hosting rodeos. Poway recently hosted its 50th annual rodeo and Ramona held its 44th annual event in August, a world-class PRCA rodeo. In East County, the Lakeside Rodeo features barrel racing, steer wrestling, roping competitions and more.

About C5 Rodeo Company

Providing services to events at over 40 locations worldwide, C5 Rodeo Co. is recognized in the world of rodeo for their innovative approach to rodeo production and award-winning world-class stock. Home to one of the largest bucking horse suppliers in North America, C5 Rodeo operates out of Lac La Biche, Alberta and Helena, Montana, spanning just over 12,000 acres combined.

About Outriders Presents

Outriders Presents produces rodeo and independent country music events across Montana and California, with one such Southern California show including Wild Horses Festival with Zach Bryan, Trampled By Turtles and more at Petco Park.