By Houston USA blog Thursday, January 15, 2026
HOUSTON — The dust is already settling on the announcement, but the real action begins today. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (RODEOHOUSTON) has officially opened the gates for its 2026 season ticket sales. As of 10:00 a.m. this morning, the first wave of tickets for the world’s largest livestock exhibition and rodeo went live, sparking a digital stampede for the legendary star-shaped stage.
Scheduled to run from March 2 to March 22, 2026, at NRG Park, the 2026 season marks a historic return for several fan favorites and a debut for some of the biggest names in modern music.
The Two-Wave Strategy: How to Secure Your Seats
To manage the massive demand, RODEOHOUSTON has implemented a split-on-sale strategy. This ensures that fans of specific dates have a fair shot at the virtual “Waiting Room.”
- Wave 1 (On Sale Now): Covers performances from March 2 through March 11. This includes Opening Day with Riley Green and Black Heritage Day featuring Lizzo.
- Wave 2 (Starting at 2:00 p.m.): Covers performances from March 12 through March 21. This includes the highly anticipated return of Kelly Clarkson and the Rodeo Finals with Tim McGraw.
Ticket Pricing and Digital Delivery
RODEOHOUSTON continues to be one of the most accessible major entertainment events in the country, with ticket prices starting at just $30, plus a $5 convenience fee.
Standard Seating Categories: | Level | Price Range (incl. fees) | | :— | :— | | Upper Level | $35 – $44 | | Loge Level | $53 | | Field Level | $69 | | Club Level | $74 – $79 | | Action Seats | $180 | | Chute Seats | $429 |
All tickets are 100% digital and delivered via AXS Mobile ID. Fans are encouraged to download the official RODEOHOUSTON app and log in with the email used for purchase. Note that tickets may take up to 48 hours to appear in your digital wallet.
The 2026 Lineup: A Powerhouse Mix of Stars
The 2026 lineup is being hailed as one of the most diverse in the Rodeo’s history, blending classic country, pop, rock, and Latin superstars.
The Full Schedule:
- March 2: Riley Green (Opening Day)
- March 3: J Balvin
- March 4: Rascal Flatts (Armed Forces Appreciation Day)
- March 5: Russell Dickerson (Sensory Friendly Day)
- March 6: Lizzo (Black Heritage Day)
- March 7: Dwight Yoakam
- March 8: Forrest Frank
- March 9: Luke Bryan (First Responders Day)
- March 10: Megan Moroney
- March 11: Creed (Community Day)
- March 12: Chris Stapleton
- March 13: Shaboozey
- March 14: Kelly Clarkson
- March 15: Pepe Aguilar (Go Tejano Day)
- March 16: Cross Canadian Ragweed
- March 17: The Red Clay Strays
- March 18: Koe Wetzel
- March 19: Lainey Wilson
- March 20: Parker McCollum
- March 21: Tim McGraw (Rodeo Finals)
- March 22: Cody Johnson (Concert-only with Jon Pardi & Randy Houser)
Navigating the Online Waiting Room
For those aiming for Wave 2 this afternoon, the Online Waiting Room opens at 1:30 p.m. Joining the room early does not grant you a “first-in-line” spot. Instead, at 2:00 p.m., everyone in the room is randomly assigned a place in the digital queue.
Pro-Tips for Success:
- Log in early: Ensure your AXS account is active and your payment info is saved.
- Stay on the page: Do not refresh your browser once you are in the queue.
- Check Verified Resale: If a show sells out, AXS is the only official verified secondary market. Look for the “Resale” icon to ensure your tickets are legitimate.
Why the 2026 Season is Different
This year features nine artists making their star stage debut, including Lizzo, Shaboozey, and Creed. It also sees the long-awaited return of Kelly Clarkson and Dwight Yoakam, both of whom last performed at the Rodeo in 2004.
Furthermore, the final day (March 22) marks a shift in tradition: there will be no rodeo competition, only a full-length headlining concert by Cody Johnson, making it a “concert-only” finale for the first time in recent memory.