Cowboy Math: The Price It Takes to Compete in Pro Rodeo

There may be better ways to make a living, but there is no better way to live, according to professional cowboys and cowgirls. Here is a small breakdown of the yearly budget of a rodeo athlete.

Courtney Kreider, SI Rodeo

Besides physical fitness, a strong mental game, and talent, rodeo athletes need time and a steady cash flow in order to succeed. So, how much does a contestant spend to compete in Western sports each year?

Factoring in required entry fees, a PRCA card, fuel, flights, and groceries, we estimate it’s about a $50,000 commitment year-round.

What is a PRCA card? Well, to be an “Active Member” of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), you’ll need an active card status. This means you’ve paid your required dues, fees, and/or insurance premiums for the current year. For the 2024 season, this is a $300 deposit plus an insurance premium. Contestants are required to have primary insurance in case of an injury. However, part of their dues goes towards the PRCA working as a secondary.

Next are the rodeo entry fees. These can vary. Most rodeos cost about $125 for a contestant to enter, and some can be up to $300. While each event has a maximum number of rodeos that can count towards official entries, the average athlete enters a minimum of 100 rodeos per year. That’s $15,000 at $125 each.

Once your rodeo schedule is set for the 2024 season, we factor in fuel and flights. Let’s face it, your average cowboy and cowgirl is driving a pick-up truck (likely diesel), which averages just over $4 as of February 19, 2024.

Between each rodeo circuit, a contestant will put in about 75,000 to 100,000 miles on the road. This adds at least another $25,000.

Adding on various flights, say to make it to a rodeo in Texas when you were up in Florida the day prior, means you will also be adding an extra $300-$400 to your weekly spending.

While burning airline miles and diesel fuel, athletes are also burning calories, a lot of them. Factoring in 40 weeks away from home and on the road, groceries, and occasionally eating out is going to add $150-$200/week to the bill.

This is approximately another $6,000.

So, do you have what it takes to become a rodeo athlete? 

Time, money, and the will to succeed. We remind ourselves that this is Western sports. We’re an industry built on integrity, grit, and cowboy culture. If you ask any professional rodeo athlete, you’ll likely get a similar response. 

It is not about what they’ve spent to get to where they are in their career but the relationships they have made and the respect in their discipline they have earned. 

Respect for any cowboy or cowgirl is priceless.