Okay hear me out 😠This is just a theory, but I feel like this year’s RodeoHouston lineup and overall vibe might be way bigger than usual.
First off, why does it feel like they’re suddenly promoting artists all the way in New York? That makes me think they’re aiming more at a national audience this year, not just Houston or Texas crowds.
Last year, RodeoHouston randomly became one of the top spring break destinations, and influencers were everywhere — TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, people literally flying in just to go. Once that happened, brands naturally followed.
We already saw a preview of that shift last year. Spotify having its own booth and filming a live podcast felt like a sign of where things could be headed. So now that brands know RodeoHouston = content + visibility, it wouldn’t be surprising if this year goes even harder with brand activations, sponsored booths, and influencer partnerships.
And I’m not saying that’s good or bad — it’s just interesting. On one hand, it means bigger names, more production, and more opportunities for content. On the other, it probably means larger crowds, higher demand, and a more mainstream feel overall.
Curious what y’all think. Do you see RodeoHouston staying mostly the same, or slowly turning into a major national event for brands, influencers, and content creators?
TL;DR: RodeoHouston seems to be going more national with influencers and brand activations. Not good or bad, just curious if others see the shift too.
Been aimed at a larger audience for a long time. Its one of the largest rodeos on the planet.
THE largest.
It is the largest indoor rodeo. Cheyenne is the largest overall.
Wikipedia says Cheyenne is largest outdoor and Houston is largest overall.
I feel like you are new to Houston. RodeoHouston has been building bigger and bigger each year. For me it was the late 2000s when they started to have more non-country music acts. Or at least promoting the non-country more than the country acts.
Same goes for RenFest.
They know they have the local market locked down so the only way to expand is to get a more national audience.
I was actually born and raised here and I agree it’s been getting bigger every year. What I’m noticing isn’t just growth though, it’s more about who it feels like they’re targeting now.
But so is everything?
Think about it. You could pay $5m for one Super Bowl ad or you could pay 500 chuckleheads $10k each to make some dumb skit on social media. Which do you think would be a better investment?
Houston Rodeo didnt suddenly decide to chase bigger audiences for more money. That has been the entire business model for decades.
What started as a cattle exposition in the 1930s shifted towards entertainment almost immediately. By the 1940s, the Houston Rodeo was already booking major mainstream entertainers like Gene Autry.
The lineup was heavily country/ western throughout the 50s and 60s, which made sense culturally and commercially at the time. But by the 70s, the rodeo was openly booking massive, crowd attracting non-country acts ( Elvis Presley, The Jackson 5). Totally a strategic move on their part.
Since then, the rodeo has consistently mixed genres to attract a broader, more diverse, younger crowd. So this isn't a recent cash grab or a loss of "rodeo" identity. It is a long-running, intentional evolution that has been happening for a very long time. And now that social media and influencers have such a social pull, theyre exploiting that angle to monetize as well.
Commercial enterprise being commercial. More at 11.
It's the biggest rodeo in the world isn't it?
No it’s not
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR TURKEY LEGS
Those turkey legs need to cure cancer, do my taxes and help me build muscle
Since I only go once a year during the day I’m happy the city can get some real tourism. I got everything I wanted out the Rodeo in my 20’s.
Western culture is trendy right now. NFR has grown into an influencer hot spot, unfortunately. HLSR is next. It’s also cheaper to travel here and not between 2 major holidays, PLUS it hits sprint break for most people.
I’ve been involved with rodeo since I was 6 months old through their pageant system, then school art and other activities. Now I’m on a cook off team and a rodeo member. I absolutely hate all this NYC bullshit. It’s unnecessary spending. Keep the money local. Give it back to the kids/community. The billboards alone were awful, then add in that terrible mini concert…how much was the permit for that garbage?
Not to mention, it’s already difficult for locals to get rodeo tickets without paying 2, 3, even 4 times the price from scalpers. I’m all for growing The Show, but let’s not lose focus.
I’ll definitely be mentioning all of this in my survey submission and I feel compelled to write a couple letters as well. I care so deeply about the Rodeo. It’s literally saved my life and changed me for good. I hope they cut it out with this nonsense.
"ok hear me out" is the new ai slop tell
It's just the new "Can we talk about..."
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Brand/commercial presence in the fourth largest Us city? Crazy huh
can't picture what else an influencer could do at rodeo. there's one concert and then the carnival. cant imagine what i'd get from influencers that i can't from my friends instagram stories.
like i'm trying to imagine if rodeo houston was sxsw and i can't. like maybe since sxsw has sucked for the last 10 years that type of thing would shift to rodeo but i also cant imagine how
maybe more companies will have more booths and more freebies? but coke hasn't handed out giant cowboy hats for years and i still wear the one i got in 2016 every year
So... who's got tent tickets?
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It’s growing because people who moved here out of state are bringing their friends. Tbh i never heard of it until I moved here
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Same thing as Austin’s South by Southwest, and Austin City Limits festivals.Â
My cousins from Toronto said they want to visit on Rodeo month. Me personally, I would visit Houston just for the Torchy’s.
Because of the tacos or the glory holes? 👀
Yes.
I hate it.... everything is changing in HOuston and ruining our authentic culture.