What the NILE Is
The Northern International Livestock Exposition, known as the NILE, is a non-profit stock show and rodeo held each October at MetraPark in Billings. Hundreds of exhibitors from the United States and Canada bring cattle and horses to show and sell. The 2026 NILE was the 59th annual show and ran October 9 to 17 across the Expo Center, First Interstate Arena and Montana Pavilion. The week includes open and junior breed shows, cattle sales, the Gold Buckle Select Horse Sale, youth livestock and horse judging contests, three days of 4th grade ag education, and a Ranch Rodeo.
Ways to Take Part
| Role | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Open breed show exhibitor | Show breeding cattle in the open shows (Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Simmental, Red Angus, Shorthorn and others) |
| Junior exhibitor | Junior breed shows with showmanship classes, plus junior fed, merit heifer, lamb, goat, steer and swine shows |
| Contest team | 4-H and FFA livestock, meats, sales, vet and horse judging contests |
| Spectator | Rodeo, horse shows and the sales; tickets through MetraPark |
How It Works: The Timeline
- Entries are online only at thenile.org. Emailed, printed or handwritten entries are not processed, and fees must accompany the online form.
- September 1, 2026: target for completed entries. After that a $50 late fee per head or pen applies.
- September 15, 2026, 5 p.m. MST: final online entry deadline. A 50 percent refund is available only with written cancellation received by that date.
- Livestock office hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., October 9 to 18. Arriving cattle check in with the brand inspection office in the Expo Center, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Lamb, goat, steer and swine shows are listed for October 8 to 11. Most breed shows fall October 10 to 17.
- Saturday, October 17: Junior Supreme at 5:30 p.m. and Open Supreme at 6 p.m. The new Riggin Masters, featuring the top 24 PRCA bareback bronc riders, closes the week.
Junior Shows
Junior breed shows run on their own days. The Junior Charolais Show judges Wednesday, October 14 at 10 a.m.; the Junior Gelbvieh and Balancer Show Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m.; the Junior Aberdeen Show Tuesday, October 13 at noon; the Junior Hereford and Regional Red Angus shows Saturday, October 17. Junior entry is $55 per class, and the Angus Junior Show is Thursday, October 15 at noon. Age and membership rules vary by breed. Junior Gelbvieh exhibitors must be 8 to 20 years old as of January 1, 2026 and belong to a recognized junior Gelbvieh association. Junior Red Angus exhibitors must be National Junior Red Angus Association members, and Miniature Hereford youth classes are open to association members ages 3 to 22. Grand champions in the junior breed shows qualify for Junior Supreme on October 17.
Fees and Awards
- Open show entries are $65 per class; junior classes $55 per class.
- Tie-out pens $90 each, fitting chute or stand permit $25, RV hookup $60 per night.
- Grand and Reserve Champions receive NILE jackets and vests. Open Supreme Female and Bull each receive $3,000.
- Breeding cattle first-place premiums run $50 to $100, depending on class size, and the open show must draw at least 20 head from multiple breeders to pay premiums.
Rules to Know
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required for all cattle, even from within Montana. Female cattle need proof of brucellosis vaccination. No dogs are allowed in the barns. Performance-enhancing drugs may not be given within five days of showing, and violations bring disqualification. Protests must be in writing with a $300 deposit.
Where and Who to Call
MetraPark, 308 6th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101. The NILE office is at 406-256-2495 (P.O. Box 1981, Billings, MT 59103). MetraPark is at 406-256-2400. The most recent edition was October 9 to 17, 2026; the next dates have not been announced.
Official Links
Montana County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Montana county junior livestock shows follow local fair books written through MSU Extension offices, so weights, deadlines and sale rules differ by county. Published examples come from Flathead, Broadwater, Chouteau and Marias Fair.
Before the fair
Most counties require Livestock Quality Assurance training, tagging by a spring or winter date, and drug withdrawal forms. Flathead lets members tag a primary and back-up animal, and Broadwater requires an interview and a finished record book to sell.
Weights and species
Flathead lists 110 to 160 pounds for lambs, 220 to 295 for hogs and 1,050 to 1,550 for steers. Chouteau lists 70 to 120 pounds for sale goats and pays hogs on 210 to 300 pounds.
Show and sale
Most counties require showing in both market class and showmanship to sell, and white-ribbon animals are often left out of the sale. Cattle crossing county lines need brand inspection under Montana Department of Livestock rules.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention and Trade Show
Montana Stockgrowers Association convention with trade show, Stockgrowers Colleges, policy sessions and a Grand Finale Banquet, December 3 to 5, 2026, at the DoubleTree and the Northern Hotel in Billings.
- Chase Hawks Rodeo
One-day rodeo in Billings on December 26, 2026, on the Montana pro rodeo calendar. Held each year around the holidays.
Billings, MT Official event details - Montana Wool Growers Association Annual Convention
Sheep industry convention of the Montana Wool Growers Association. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 4 to 7, 2025, in Billings.
Billings, MT | Organizer: Montana Wool Growers Association Official event details - MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Shows
Two-week 4-H and FFA program at MontanaFair in Billings, from interview judging to horse, small animal, sheep, goat and livestock classes. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3-15, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.