PRCA Circuit System Explained
The Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association offers different avenues for members to take throughout the year. With several tours added in recent years and increasing the payout for contestants, the reason regular season earnings record has been broken multiple times in the 2023 season.
Every member belongs to a home circuit, which is set at the beginning of the season starting on Oct. 1. Typically contestants belong to the circuit they reside in, however there are exceptions when some athletes choose to compete in a different circuit.
The system was designed to allow contestants part-time competition with less travel.
This not only brought more competitors to the association, but gave contestants a chance to compete in a finals less difficult to qualify for than the National Finals Rodeo.
There are 12 circuits in the U.S., with an additional Canadian circuit. Contestants are allowed to compete in rodeos in and out of their circuit throughout the year, however the earnings counting towards circuit standings are only from rodeos within their own circuit. Each circuit has their own finals, qualifying the top-two in each event to compete at the NFR Open in July.
Previously held in Kissimmee, Fla. and formerly titled the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, the PRCA decided to rebrand. In 2022 the finals were then named the NFR Open, and are now held in Colorado Springs, Colo.
In just two years the NFR Open has become one of the highest paying pro rodeos of the season, with a $1 million payouts to contestants. Earnings won in Colorado Springs count toward PRCA regular season earnings, giving the event winners a chance to move up in the world standings.
The NFR Open is also a way for event winners to qualify for the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, Wash. The top four from each event in Puyallup receive an automatic entry to the Governor's Cup, held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Competing in circuit rodeos throughout the year gives contestants an opportunity to compete at a high level for large payouts, without having to travel all year and be away from home. The circuit system makes up the majority of PRCA memberships.
