Rodeo Saltillo 2026: Dates, Expo Coahuila Venue, Program and Tickets

Rodeo Saltillo 2026: dates, venue and what's new

Rodeo Saltillo 2026 takes place Oct. 15–18 at Expo Coahuila, a newly built venue in Saltillo, Coahuila. It grows to four days this year, according to Mexican press reports from Sept. 29 (Crónica, Milenio).

The state is pitching it as a regional tourism and family festival: rodeo, concerts, food, livestock shows and kids' activities in one place. Crónica cites room for roughly 30,000–40,000 people across the different areas. The venue address on the official ticket page is Calle Rodeo Saltillo, El Toreo, Saltillo.

New this year, Saltillo hosts the Convención Nacional Ganadera, a national cattle convention, for the first time; the livestock program also includes Expogan Coahuila and the Exposición Nacional Angus. Returning from last year are the Smoke & Grill barbecue program with the Champion del Grill final, and the children's area Pequeño Oeste, with workshops, a teaching farm and pony rides.

Day-by-day program

The rodeo action happens in Arena 8 Segundos. Here is the plan as reported:

The Rodeo de las Estrellas finals cover seven official disciplines. The reports we reviewed do not list which seven, so check the official program before you go rather than assume.

Each evening also has a concert. The lineup mixes norteño, banda, regional Mexican and country; see the official site for names and times.

Tickets and prices

General admission is 200 MXN for adults and 65 MXN for children, per Crónica. The official ticket page defines children as up to 1.50 m tall and says general admission covers the festival zones and the concert.

Some shows are ticketed separately. The official page listed the Saturday bull-riding night and the Sunday Rodeo de las Estrellas at 500 MXN for adults and 250 MXN for children, and VIP concert tables from 16,000 MXN (four people) or 24,000 MXN (six people). When we checked on Sept. 30, both arena shows and the VIP tables were listed as sold out, so confirm availability at rodeosaltillo.com.mx.

According to the official page, children under 120 cm with a ticketed adult, people with disabilities and seniors with INAPAM credentials get complimentary tickets at special box offices.

Visitor checklist

• Check availability for the Oct. 17–18 arena shows, which were listed as sold out; Open Rodeo is free but capacity-dependent.
• Dress for a long outdoor day: hat, sunscreen, closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes. Our rodeo outfit guide has kid-friendly ideas.
• Book lodging now. Organizers said hotel occupancy hit 95% last year.
• Bring ear protection for young kids near loud arenas and stages.
• Plan the kids' day around Pequeño Oeste and the livestock area, which are gentler than the arena.
• Check the schedule on official channels; times can change.

How a professional-style rodeo works

In the U.S.-style rodeo tradition, cowboys and cowgirls compete against the clock or a judge's score. Events fall into two groups.

Timed events

• Barrel racing: a horse and rider run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels; the fastest time wins. See the barrel racing pattern explainer.
• Roping: in calf roping, one rider ropes and ties a calf; in team roping, a header and a heeler rope a steer together.

Rough stock

• Bronc riding: the rider tries to stay on a bucking horse for eight seconds, and both horse and rider earn marks. Here is how bronc riding is scored.
• Bull riding: the same eight-second goal on a bull, with trained rodeo clowns and bullfighters working to keep riders safe when they come off.

For the big picture in the U.S., see NFR 2026.

Rodeo vs. charrería vs. jaripeo

These three get mixed up, but they are different traditions.

Charrería is Mexico's national equestrian sport, with set events called suertes, team competition and traditional dress. Read about the Charrería National Championship and the coleadero. Jaripeo is the ranch bull-riding show often seen at fairs; see what jaripeo is.

A festival like Rodeo Saltillo can borrow from all three, so expect some blending. Note that the sources do not say which charrería events, if any, are on the schedule.

What to watch next

• The official list of the seven Rodeo de las Estrellas disciplines.
• Whether Open Rodeo fills up on opening day.
• How the new Expo Coahuila handles traffic and crowds in its first edition.
• Results after Oct. 18. As of Sept. 30 this is all upcoming; nothing has been contested yet.

New to horse sports? Start with our disciplines guide to see where rodeo fits.