WPRA Announces National Finals Breakaway Roping will Move to Will Rogers Coliseum

Regardless of your stance on the situation, here is the big picture that can't be ignored. When the NFBR has been previously held under the Vegas lights, it was before the NFR actually began. Most families, fans, and supporters can't make it work to be in Vegas for long enough to go and support the ladies and take the trip to the Thomas and Mack too. Because of this reality, ticket sales were low. Some would argue it felt more like a glorified jackpot than the "Superbowl of Rodeo" at all. This brought up the question, can the breakaway ropers sell tickets and actually make this worth while?

That question was answered this year in Cowtown. The payout may not be equal, and they are not in the little yellow Vegas arena, but Fort Worth most definitely gave those girls a more accurate Thomas and Mack feel as far as energy goes. Why? They deserve it and rodeo fans recognize that and love this sport. They packed the stands, and the breakaway ropers delivered.

The WPRA saw this happen, and then this decision was made. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo joined in efforts to make this contract work in the breakaway ropers and fans favor alike. Everyone involved is clearly on the supporting end of things making the logistics line up.

If you look at it from the political side, a personal view, or even a financial view, I think we can all agree that Fort Worth did something good for the ladies. Why not continue to put on a show within the boundaries of what they have been given. The money is not going to be equal still, and no arena could ever replicate what the Thomas and Mack means to rodeo. However, it is safe to say that this is a step in the right direction because voices are being heard.

Tickets are likely to sell out again even in the bigger venue beginning this year. Everyone in the crowd, and event those watching on the Cowboy Channel can likely agree that watching Taylor Munsell win the 2025 World Championship round by round with that kind of energy and hype was worth it nonetheless.

The best breakaway ropers in the world are getting set to takeoff on the summer run for 2026. The top 15 will meet in Fort Worth in December, this time in Will Rogers Coliseum. Another World Champion will be crowned, and with a crowd full of people who believe in the breakaway ropers and the future of the sport.