What California Rodeo Salinas Is
California Rodeo Salinas is a four-day PRCA-sanctioned professional rodeo and the largest rodeo in California. It bills itself as one of the top 15 professional rodeos in the country out of more than 600, and the tradition runs past 115 years. Top cowboys and cowgirls compete for the title in the arena, while a long list of side events, parades and family activities fill the grounds around it.
It is for rodeo fans of every age: serious followers of bull riding and bronc riding, families with small kids, and local ag and military groups who each get a themed day.
Performance Schedule (2026 Edition)
| Day | Theme | Gates | Grand Entry | Rodeo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, July 16 | Bucking Cancer Night | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Fri, July 17 | Ag Appreciation Night | 4:00 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sat, July 18 | Salute to Military Day | 11:00 a.m. | 1:15 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Sun, July 19 | Crown Royal Day of Champions | 11:00 a.m. | 1:15 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
Thursday and Friday are evening performances ending about 10:00 p.m., with fireworks afterward. Saturday and Sunday are afternoon matinees. Times are subject to change, so check the daysheet for each performance before you go.
What Is On the Grounds
- Professional rodeo: a rodeo clown and a world-famous charro and rope artist perform every day.
- Family fun: Mutton Busting, Stick Horse Race, Kids Corral, Kids Dummy Roping, horse parades and the Kiddie Kapers Parade.
- Extra competitions: Special Buckaroos Rodeo, Freestyle Bullfights, a horse show, Industrial Calf Dressing and a memorial cutting event.
- Other attractions: Cowboy Church, the Heritage Museum, an indoor midway mall, food and shopping vendors, and the Crown Royal Saloon and Short Branch Bar.
The organization also runs a Hall of Fame, the Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest, community events and scholarships.
Tickets and Discounts
Tickets are sold online and in person, at the same prices and availability. In 2026, prices rose by $5 per ticket on July 13. The ticket office is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 1034 N. Main St. Tickets can be downloaded at home.
- Wrangler and Coca-Cola promotions offered discounted tickets.
- Veterans and military could get complimentary tickets through VetTix for Thursday or Saturday, and GOVX members could get discounts for the same two days.
Getting There and Parking
The rodeo is at the Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93906, an outdoor venue with metal grandstands (seats have backs). Parking is $30 per vehicle; exact cash is preferred, though cards are accepted at each gate. Parking opens one hour before the gates, and there is no re-entry. A free shuttle runs, and a clear bag policy applies.
Questions
When is the next one?
The most recent edition ran July 16-19, 2026. Watch carodeo.com for the next dates and on-sale date.
Can I bring a bag?
Only clear bags that meet the posted policy.
Who do I call?
Ticket line 800-549-4989; general office 831-775-3100.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Salinas Valley Fair
Salinas Valley Fair in King City, Monterey County. Held each year; the most recent dates were May 14-17, 2026. Held in King City in the southern Salinas Valley.
King City, CA Official event details - Monterey County Fair
Monterey County Fair in Monterey, Monterey County. Held each year; the most recent dates were Sep 3-7, 2026. A Labor Day weekend fair at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center.
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Monterey, CA Official event details - CCPRA Finals Rodeo
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Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details - San Joaquin County Fair
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1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.