What the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo Is
The Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo is the headline of fair week in Abilene. The 80th edition ran four nights, Tuesday July 28 through Friday July 31, 2026, at Eisenhower Park Fairgrounds, as part of the Central Kansas Free Fair week. Abilene was a cattle-drive town where Wild Bill Hickok once served as marshal and where the Chisholm Trail ended, and the rodeo leans into that history. Expect PRCA bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding and breakaway roping.
The Week, Day by Day
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Monday, July 27 | Steer roping at 8 a.m.; buckle auction at 7:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, July 28 | PRCA timed-event slack at 8 a.m.; Central Kansas Free Fair Parade at 4 p.m.; PRCA rodeo performance at 7:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, July 29 | Bulls, Broncs, Barrels and Breakaway night at 7:30 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 30 | PRCA rodeo performance at 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, July 31 | Spurs and Spikes golf tournament at 8 a.m.; final PRCA performance at 7:30 p.m. |
Tickets and What They Cost
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Advance (online and ticket outlets) | $12 |
| Gate (arena gate or fairgrounds) | $15 |
| Youth, ages 4 to 10 | $8 |
| Children under 4 | Free |
Tickets are sold at wildbillhickokrodeo.com/tickets. Buying in advance saves $3 per adult ticket, and the rodeo urges fans to reserve early.
Who It Is For
Rodeo fans of every age. The four-night run lets families pick the evening that fits, and the fair that surrounds it (the Central Kansas Free Fair schedule is at ckff.net) adds the parade and daytime events. The week also opens with steer roping on Monday morning and a timed-event slack on Tuesday morning.
Where
Eisenhower Park Fairgrounds, 619 N. Rogers Street, Abilene, Kansas.
Around Abilene
If you are making a day of it, nearby attractions include the Old Abilene Town boardwalks, the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, downtown shopping, the World's Largest Belt Buckle and the World's Largest "I Like Ike" Button. Abilene has been named a Top 10 True Western Town and won True West Magazine's "Best Town for Historic Entertainment."
Questions
How many nights is the rodeo?
Four PRCA performances, Tuesday through Friday, all at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday is the Bulls, Broncs, Barrels and Breakaway night.
What is cheapest?
Children under 4 are free, ages 4 to 10 pay $8, and adults save by buying the $12 advance ticket instead of the $15 gate price.
Is the rodeo part of the fair?
Yes. It anchors Central Kansas Free Fair week, which also includes the Tuesday parade.
Who do I call?
The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau at 785-263-2231, 201 NW Second St. The visitors center is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Official Links
- Tickets now on sale for the 80th Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo: schedule, prices and history
Major Kansas Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Kansas' big junior livestock stages are all in Hutchinson at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Shows
The Kansas State Fair ran September 11-20 in 2026, with the 4-H and FFA Grand Drive for beef, sheep, swine and goats (regular entries due July 15). The Kansas Junior Livestock Show ran October 2-4, 2026, with online entries due August 15. The Kansas Beef Expo is December 9-13, 2026, with junior breeding and market shows. Market animals and commercial breeding females must be nominated for the Grand Drive and KJLS.
Rodeos
Kansas rodeos include the Pretty Prairie Rodeo in July, the PRCA Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, the KPRA Finals in Dodge City and the Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg. Confirm dates for the coming year before you go.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Biggest Rodeo
Three-day rodeo at the rodeo grounds in Phillipsburg, Phillips County, with events starting two days earlier. The schedule published for the next edition gives August 5-7, 2027.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.