What the EMCC Intercollegiate Rodeo Is
The EMCC Intercollegiate Rodeo is a three-night college rodeo hosted by East Mississippi Community College at the Lauderdale County Agri-Center in Meridian. It is a sanctioned stop on the Ozark Region schedule of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA), where men's and women's teams from regional colleges compete. The 14th annual edition ran Thursday, March 12 through Saturday, March 14, 2026, and marked the 10th straight year EMCC hosted a collegiate rodeo in Meridian. The coach calls it a very entertaining three nights of college rodeo competition for the entire family.
Who Competes
Teams come from Ozark Region schools in the NIRA, including Pearl River Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College and the University of West Alabama, along with EMCC's own team. The 2026 rodeo was the second spring event on the 2025-26 Ozark Region schedule. Later regional stops that spring were in Poplarville, Mississippi (March 19-21), Martin, Tennessee (April 9-11), Searcy, Arkansas (April 16-18) and Senatobia, Mississippi (April 23-25), with the College National Finals Rodeo set for June 16-22, 2026, at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyoming.
The Events
| Rough stock | Timed events |
|---|---|
| Bareback riding | Tie-down roping |
| Saddle bronc riding | Breakaway roping |
| Bull riding | Steer wrestling |
| Team roping | |
| Goat tying | |
| Barrel racing |
How the Three Nights Work
- Thursday, March 12Gates open at 7 p.m. and the first performance begins.
- Friday, March 13Gates open at 7 p.m. for the second performance.
- Saturday, March 14Gates open at 7 p.m. The championship finals are run Saturday night.
Tickets and Admission
- Adults: $10 at the door
- Students: $5 at the door
- Children ages 5 and under: free
Young children also get their own pig scramble, an event for the 5-and-under group, which makes the rodeo an easy evening out for families.
Where
Lauderdale County Agri-Center, 1022 Highway 19 South, Meridian, MS 39301. For questions, call 601-482-8498.
Questions
Is this a professional rodeo?
No. It is a collegiate rodeo, with student athletes from NIRA member colleges competing in the Ozark Region.
Does a ticket cover all three nights?
Tickets are sold at the door at the adult and student prices above. Plan on paying each night you attend.
When do the gates open?
7 p.m. each night.
Is there anything for little kids?
Yes. Children 5 and under get in free and have a pig scramble of their own.
Will there be a 2027 rodeo?
The 2026 rodeo was the most recent edition. Dates for the next edition have not been announced.
Official Links
- EMCC Athletics: EMCC set to host collegiate rodeo at Meridian's Lauderdale County Agri-Center: dates, tickets, events and teams
- EMCC Rodeo news: 2025-26 season coverage
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MSFB Classic Livestock Show
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Classic Livestock Show fills the Livestock Arena at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-22, 2026.
- Tri-State Rodeo Finals
Rodeo finals are held at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, with flag girl tryouts alongside. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-21, 2026.
- Dixie National Junior Round-Up
Youth beef, sheep, goat, swine and dairy exhibitors compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. The 2027 show is set for February 1-11, with ownership deadlines of September 1 and December 1, 2026 by division.
- MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
Farm, ranch and outdoor exhibitors gather at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson for a three-day expo scheduled for February 19-21, 2027.
Jackson, MS Official event details - Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
The 61st Dixie National Rodeo ran nine performances over two weekends at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year in February; the most recent dates were February 13-21, 2026.
All Mississippi events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.