National High School Finals Rodeo to Expand in 2027 and Will Seek a Larger Host Site
September 16, 2026
National High School Finals Rodeo to Expand Number of Contestants in 2027 and Will Seek a Larger Host Site
Sandhills Global Event Center and the National High School Rodeo Association reach a mutual agreement following a record-setting 2026 finals in Lincoln
LINCOLN, NE (September 15, 2026) — The National High School Rodeo Association plans to expand the number of contestants beginning in 2027, and the 2027 National High School Finals Rodeo will be held at a site other than Sandhills Global Event Center. The two organizations announced the change together this morning in Lincoln, following a record-setting 2026 event. The decision is mutual, and contract fees are waived for both parties.
The 78th National High School Finals Rodeo, held at Sandhills Global Event Center July 19 through 25, was the largest in the event’s history. Approximately 1,800 contestants from across the United States and five other countries competed over seven days, and thirteen national champions were crowned. The event brought over 1,500 RVs and 3,000 horses, steers, broncs, goats, and bulls to the campus, and the stands were full throughout the week.
The 2027 expansion adds a significant number of contestants to a field that already makes this the largest rodeo of its kind by contestant count. Each contestant travels with horses, family and, in most cases, an RV. When Sandhills Global Event Center first pursued the event, the requirement was 700 horse stalls. The 2026 finals required approximately 2,300.
“Certainly, there are mixed emotions with this meeting we have here this morning. Sometimes we have to make business decisions that come from our head and not our heart,” said James Higginbotham, Executive Director of the National High School Rodeo Association. Higginbotham emphasized that the decision was driven by the continued growth of the National High School Finals Rodeo and not by the quality of Lincoln’s facilities or the people who have helped make the event a success.
“Certainly, Lincoln’s facility, the qualified staff, the Ag Society, the Visitor Bureau, and, in general, the people of Lincoln have been very great to us. We have continued to grow. Very fortunate to have grown, and that creates sometimes problems. Problems that we are not aware of. What we are talking about this morning certainly has nothing to do with the quality of the people that helped us with the Rodeo, it has all to do with size.” Higginbotham continued, “If we made this decision with our heart instead of our head, we would be right back here in Lincoln for years to come.”
The improvements Sandhills Global Event Center made to host the rodeo remain in place and have positioned the campus for larger events year round. The organization is currently in negotiations with a large horse show that had sought the same dates, and the Nebraska Ag Expo returns to the campus in December.
“We’re glad we got to host the National High School Finals Rodeo twice, and we’re proud of what it did for this community,” said Ron Bohaty, Managing Director of Sandhills Global Event Center. “The improvements we made to our campus, have already positioned us to attract more large events to the City of Lincoln.”
“Sandhills Global Event Center is a nonprofit operated by the Lancaster County Agricultural Society,” said Kendra Ronnau, President of the Lancaster County Agricultural Society. “Events like this one help fund the upkeep of these grounds and our mission of ag education, and they bring visitors, tax revenue, hotel stays and retail spending to our city, our county and our state. We are grateful to everyone who supported this rodeo, and we are looking forward to what comes next on this campus.”
An economic impact study of the 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo is underway. The National High School Rodeo Association will open consideration for a 2027 host site.
About Sandhills Global Event Center
Sandhills Global Event Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operationally unsubsidized organization operated by the Lancaster County Agricultural Society and dedicated to growing community through events. The campus hosts approximately 500 event days each year and is the proud home of the Lancaster County Super Fair.
MEDIA CONTACT
Gina Nathan, Marketing Manager
Sandhills Global Event Center
402.441.6545 | [email protected]
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