Every June, the small Western town of Sisters, Oregon transforms into the capital of cowboy country. The Sisters Rodeo — affectionately known as “The Biggest Little Show in the World” — has been drawing ranchers, rodeo athletes, and spectators to Central Oregon since 1940. In 2026, the rodeo runs June 10 through 14, and whether you are a lifelong rodeo fan or a curious first-timer, this is one of the most electric weeks on the Central Oregon calendar.
What Is the Sisters Rodeo?
The Sisters Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned event that brings top-level competition to a setting that still feels like something out of a Western film. Set against the backdrop of the Three Sisters mountains and surrounded by ponderosa pine forest, the rodeo grounds sit about three miles east of downtown Sisters on Highway 20. The arena holds roughly 5,000 spectators, which means every seat feels close to the action — you can hear the hooves, smell the dust, and feel the energy from the very first chute gate.
Why Locals Love It
For Sisters residents, rodeo week is more than a sporting event. It is the unofficial start of summer, a week when the whole town comes alive. Shops on Cascade Avenue put up Western-themed window displays. Restaurants roll out special menus. And the rodeo parade — held on Saturday morning — fills the streets with floats, horses, vintage trucks, and candy-throwing cowboys. It is small-town Americana at its most genuine, and the kind of thing that reminds you why places like Sisters still matter.
What to Expect at the 2026 Sisters Rodeo
The 2026 Sisters Rodeo runs five days with sessions spanning late afternoons and evenings. Here is the general schedule to plan your visit around:
Wednesday, June 10 — Opening night kicks off at 6:30 PM with the Xtreme Bulls competition, featuring the rankest bulls and the bravest riders on the circuit.
Thursday, June 11 — PRCA rodeo performance begins at 7:00 PM. Expect saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing.
Friday, June 12 — Another full PRCA performance at 7:00 PM, plus the energy builds as the weekend approaches.
Saturday, June 13 — The rodeo parade rolls through downtown Sisters in the morning. The afternoon performance starts at 1:00 PM and is often the most popular session of the week.
Sunday, June 14 — Finals day at 1:00 PM. This is where the week’s best athletes compete for championship purses and buckles.
The Events You Will See
If you are new to rodeo, here is a quick primer on the main events. Saddle bronc riding is considered the classic rodeo event — a cowboy rides a bucking horse using only a specialized saddle and a thick braided rein. Bareback riding is similar but without the saddle, which requires enormous upper-body strength. Bull riding is arguably the most thrilling event: eight seconds on a two-thousand-pound animal that wants you off as quickly as possible.
On the timed-event side, tie-down roping tests how quickly a cowboy can rope, dismount, and tie a calf. Team roping is a two-person event where a header and a heeler work together to rope a steer. Steer wrestling — also called bulldogging — involves a cowboy leaping from a galloping horse onto a running steer and wrestling it to the ground. And barrel racing showcases the speed and agility of cowgirls navigating a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels at a full gallop.
Tips for First-Time Rodeo Visitors
Dress for the weather and the dust. Sisters sits at about 3,200 feet in elevation, and June evenings can cool off quickly once the sun dips behind the mountains. Layers are your friend — a T-shirt for the warm afternoon, a flannel or light jacket for after sunset. Closed-toe shoes are strongly recommended; the rodeo grounds are dirt and gravel. A cowboy hat or ball cap is not required but widely encouraged.
Seating matters. General admission bleacher seats are available, but if you want shade and a slightly elevated view, reserved seating is worth the upgrade. Arrive early for the best spots and to soak up the pre-show atmosphere — kids can often watch the cowboys warm up behind the chutes before the performance begins.
Food vendors set up along the perimeter with everything from smoked tri-tip sandwiches to Indian tacos and lemonade. The beer garden is a popular gathering spot between events. Cash and cards are both accepted at most stands.
Where to Stay During Rodeo Week
Sisters is a small town, and rodeo week is its busiest. Book early. FivePine Lodge and Conference Center offers upscale cabin-style lodging within walking distance of downtown. The Sisters Motor Lodge has an old-school Western charm that fits the rodeo vibe perfectly. For a more rustic experience, Bend-Sunriver RV Campground and several Forest Service campgrounds near the area offer tent and RV sites. Many visitors also stay in Bend or Redmond — both are about a 20- to 30-minute drive from the rodeo grounds.
What Else to Do in Sisters That Week
Rodeo week is a perfect excuse to explore everything else Sisters has to offer. Stroll Cascade Avenue and browse the galleries, boutiques, and outdoor shops that give the town its character. Grab breakfast at Sisters Bakery — the line is worth it. Drive out to the Metolius River for some of the best fly fishing in Oregon. Hike the Whychus Creek trail for wildflower views. Or simply sit on a patio with a local craft beer and watch the Cascade peaks turn gold at sunset.
If you are visiting with family, the rodeo parade on Saturday is free and kid-friendly. Many of the evening performances also feature mutton bustin’ — where young children ride sheep for a few hilarious seconds — and other family-oriented activities between the main events.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 Sisters Rodeo start around $45 for general admission, with reserved seating and box seats available at higher price points. You can purchase tickets online at tickets.sistersrodeo.com or at the gate on event days, though popular sessions like Saturday afternoon can sell out in advance. Group discounts and multi-day passes are also available — check the official Sisters Rodeo website for the latest pricing and availability.
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About Chance & Tianna
Team Homeward Found · Realty One Group Discovery
Chance and Tianna Jackson are a husband-and-wife real estate team serving Bend, Sunriver, Three Rivers, La Pine, Redmond, Prineville, Tumalo, and Sisters. Between military roots, marketing expertise, and years of investing in Central Oregon, they guide retirees, families, Veterans, and investors through buying, selling, and relocating with a level of care that only locals can offer.
Chance Jackson
Oregon Realtor® · Top Producer
(503) 816-2780
Mr.ChanceJackson@gmail.com
MLS #201227270
Tianna Waite-Jackson
Oregon Realtor®
(503) 207-8636
Ms.TiannaJackson@gmail.com
MLS #2012482478