What the Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo Is
The Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's home intercollegiate rodeo, produced each spring by the University of Nebraska Rodeo Association (UNRA), a student club. It is part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Great Plains Region, whose teams come from Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. College cowboys and cowgirls earn points at about 10 rodeos a year to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo, held each June in Casper, Wyoming.
The Cornhusker rodeo has been named Great Plains Region Rodeo of the Year twice, in 2021-22 and again in 2025-26. The 2026 edition was the 67th annual Cornhusker College Rodeo.
Events
- Barrel racing
- Breakaway roping
- Team roping
- Goat tying
- Tie-down roping
- Steer wrestling
- Saddle bronc riding
The 2026 Rodeo: May 1 and 2
The most recent rodeo was held Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Gana Multisport Outdoor Arena and TractorHouse Pavilion (Amy Countryman Arena) at the Sandhills Global Event Center, 4100 N 84th St, Lincoln, NE 68507.
| When | What | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Slack (timed events and barrel racers) | Free |
| Sat, May 2, 9 to 11:30 a.m. | Slack (barrel race) | Free |
| Fri, May 1, 7 to 10 p.m. (gates 5:30) | Performance 1 | Ticketed |
| Sat, May 2, 7 to 10 p.m. (gates 5:30) | Performance 2 | Ticketed |
Slack is the extra round of competition that runs before the performances, and spectators can watch it free.
Tickets
- Adults (13 and up): $15 in advance, $20 day of show.
- Youth (12 and under): $10 in advance, $15 day of show.
- Age 2 and under: free on a lap.
- College students: $10 at the door with ID.
- VIP table for six: $210. VIP bistro table for two: $70.
Advance tickets are sold through the event page at the Sandhills Global Event Center. Cafes with snacks, drinks and food are open during event hours.
Who Can Compete and Join
Competitors are college students on NIRA member teams. UNL students who want to be part of the program can join the UNRA club through NvolveU or attend a meeting, usually the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Animal Science Building. The program is coached by Wyatt Clark, 402-472-3571.
Questions
Who won in 2026?
Graduate student Carli Hawkins won goat tying and breakaway roping for Nebraska and took the women's all-around title. She qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo, June 15 to 21 in Casper.
Where do I find updates?
The rodeo team posts on Facebook at facebook.com/unlrodeo.
When is the next one?
The rodeo is held each spring. The most recent edition was May 1 and 2, 2026.
Official Links
- Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo: schedule and tickets
- Nebraska College Rodeo Program: team, region and coach
- 67th Cornhusker Rodeo named Regional Rodeo of the Year: 2026 results
Major Nebraska Stock Shows and Rodeos: The Essentials
Nebraska's major junior stock shows are held at Fonner Park in Grand Island: the Nebraska State Fair (August 28-September 7, 2026; August 27-September 6, 2027) and the Aksarben Stock Show (September 24-27, 2026; September 23-26, 2027). Husker Harvest Days follows September 15-17, 2026, and Nebraska's Big Rodeo runs in Burwell in July.
State Fair
4-H and FFA shows cover beef, swine, sheep and goats. Nominate animals and submit DNA by June 15; entries and YQCA are due August 10 at 8 p.m.
Aksarben
Open to youth ages 9 to 19 from 14 states, with no 4-H affiliation required. In 2026, DNA nominations were due July 1 and entries ran August 1 to September 4.
Rodeos and farm shows
Nebraska's Big Rodeo in Burwell ran July 22-25, 2026, with PRCA competition and the Garfield County Fair during the same week. Husker Harvest Days is a working farm show with irrigation, crops, livestock and machinery on display. Plan around the June 15, July 1 and August 10 exhibitor deadlines.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nebraska Wheat Board Meeting
Wheat checkoff board meeting on the Nebraska Wheat calendar, held in Lincoln on Nov. 18, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau YF&R Conference
Young Farmers and Ranchers conference of Nebraska Farm Bureau at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln, scheduled for Jan. 29 to 30, 2027.
- Nebraska FFA Career Development Events State Finals
State finals for 25 FFA career development events, run alongside the state convention at UNL East Campus and Southeast Community College in Lincoln. The next dates posted are March 31 to April 2, 2027.
- Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)
Statewide youth contest with livestock judging, meats judging, poultry judging, quiz bowl, skill-a-thon, animal welfare judging and a companion animal challenge. The next dates posted are June 2 to 4, 2027, in Lincoln.
- Lancaster County 4-H BB Gun, Air Rifle and Air Pistol Contest
Morning shooting sports contest for BB gun, air rifle and air pistol at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Held each year; the most recent contest was February 7, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.