5th Annual Resistol Rookie Roundup

For the fifth consecutive year, Resistol, in partnership with The Cowboy Channel, will host the Resistol Rookie Roundup at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The 2026 event will take place March 20-21, with performances beginning nightly at 7:30 p.m., and will feature an updated competition format designed to further spotlight rodeo’s rising stars.  

The Resistol Rookie Roundup will invite the top 10 first-year cardholders from both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in each event. Contestants will compete in a two-go-round format with an overall average.

Athletes will compete for a total purse of $100,000, with earnings counting toward their PRCA | RAM World Standings for Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualification. The Rookie Roundup champions will receive an entry into the Teton Ridge American Rodeo semi- finals regional event in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Resistol Rookie Roundup has become a premier launchpad for the next generation of professional rodeo athletes, introducing fans to future stars while equipping competitors with the tools needed for long-term success. In addition to competition, rookies will participate in media training, mentorship sessions with top rodeo athletes, professional headshot sessions for the PRCA website, and exclusive filming with The Cowboy Channel. Each contestant will also receive a gift bag from The Cowboy Channel and its sponsors, as well as a new Resistol straw hat.

“The Resistol Rookie Roundup is about investing in the future of rodeo,” said Resistol President Devin Marcum. “These athletes represent the next generation of champions, and we’re proud to provide them with the opportunity to compete at a high level while learning the skills it takes to succeed inside and outside of the arena.”

Following the event, The Cowboy Channel will produce a series of roundtable discussions hosted by mentors, including former Resistol Rookies of the Year, World Champions, and NFR qualifiers. These segments will air while the rookies spend the summer competing in the Rookie Race for the coveted Rookie of the Year title.

The Resistol Rookie of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious honors in professional rodeo, as PRCA and WPRA members are only eligible to earn the title once in their careers.

Tickets for the 5th Annual Resistol Rookie Roundup are on sale now and can be purchased through the Cowtown Coliseum website.