From RFD-TV’s The American, to The Cowboy Channel’s Rodeo New York, the Western lifestyle network is expanding its repertoire of events with the announcement yesterday of a $1 million rodeo heading to Madison Square Garden next year. The event will take place at the famous venue June 19-21, 2020, with tickets going on sale today. 

“We approached Madison Square Garden and they loved the idea,” Patrick Gottsch, founder of The Cowboy Channel, said. “They wanted to have rodeo brought back to New York.”

It’s been nearly 30 years since a full rodeo event has entered the venue but, before this break in action, rodeo had a rich history in The Big Apple. The Madison Square Garden Rodeo was established in 1922 and quickly became known as the unofficial world championship, long before events like the National Finals Rodeo created the official title.

Gottsch said the venue continued to hold events there well into the 80s and even for a short period in the 90s, and while some may say that gap—and the resulting demographic that isn’t used to rodeo—could be a challenge, similar events have proven it can be done successfully.

“The PBR has had a lot of success going there every year and having those folks come out to their PBR event, and we’re going to do everything we can to help get them out to the rodeo, bring their families, get exposed to the Western lifestyle and hopefully develop some new advertisers and sponsors for everybody, the cowboys, the cowgirls and even other platforms that are advertiser-based,” Gottsch said.

Here are some quick facts about the event coming to NYC next year:

• 5-6 contestants in each event
• 8 events (including breakaway roping)
• 4 performances over 3 days (one on Friday, two Saturday, and the championship on Sunday)
• Straight, four-head competition
• Go to rodeonewyork.com for more information and tickets

With the masterminds behind RFD-TV’s the American, including Randy Bernard, on board, Gottsch knows there will be a lot of brainstorming from now until next June to make the event even bigger and better.

“Rodeo New York, taking it to Madison Square Garden in front of very influential people and like you say, a whole new demographic, is a great challenge. We like these kinds of challenges so we’re going to put everything we’ve got behind it.”

Contestant Roster:

Sixty-five active world champions were invited to compete in this $1 million rodeo with other star-studded names added to the roster as well.