Poway Rodeo: 54 Years of Professional Rodeo in San Diego's Backyard
Three performances of PRCA rodeo across two nights and a matinee — plus a Saturday afternoon where kids get in for a dollar. Here's how to do it right.
Overview
The Poway Rodeo is in its 54th year, which makes it one of the longest-running annual events in San Diego County and easily the biggest thing that happens in Poway. It's a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo, meaning professional competitors on the same circuit that runs through Salinas and Cheyenne, held in a genuine arena rather than a stadium retrofit.
The 2026 edition runs Friday and Saturday, September 25–26, under the theme "The Legacy Continues," with each of the three performances given its own character: Friday night honors the legends, the Saturday matinee looks at the future of the sport, and Saturday night belongs to today's trailblazers. Proceeds support Sam's Posse, which provides adaptive bikes to children with disabilities, along with Rady Children's Hospital, the Boy Scouts, and other local organizations.
What You Need to Know
When: Friday and Saturday, September 25–26, 2026
Performances: Friday 7:30 p.m. · Saturday 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Gates: 5:30 p.m. Friday, 10:00 a.m. Saturday
Where: Poway Valley Riders Association Arena, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway, CA 92064
Tickets: $20–$130 depending on performance and seating — buy only at powayrodeo.com
Kids: Under 5 free; $1 children's tickets at the Saturday matinee
Runtime: Each performance runs about 2 to 2½ hours
After party: The Rodeo Jam, 10 p.m.–midnight both nights, 21+
Parking: $10 off site, $30 on site, $20 ADA — details below
Benefits: Sam's Posse, Rady Children's Hospital, and local community organizations
Which Performance to Pick
The three shows are not interchangeable, and the price difference between them is large.
Saturday 1:00 p.m. — Kids Buck Day. Adults $20, children $1. That is not a typo, and it makes this the best family value on San Diego's September calendar by a distance. The matinee is themed around the future of the sport, gates open at 10 a.m., and there's a Kids Corral add-on ($55) that includes lunch, a drink, entertainment, and a meet-and-greet with the rodeo royalty. If you have kids, this is the show.
Friday 7:30 p.m. — Honoring the Legends. The traditional opening night, under the lights, with the after party following. General admission is $35.
Saturday 7:30 p.m. — Today's Trailblazers. The marquee performance and the busiest of the three. Also $35 general admission, and the one most likely to sell out.
The night shows have the atmosphere; the matinee has the value. If you're bringing children, the choice makes itself.
Tickets and Seating
General Admission — bleachers, unassigned. $35 Friday night, $20 Saturday matinee, $35 Saturday night. Under 5 free.
Preferred Seating — bleachers nearer the bucking chutes, which is where the action actually starts. $40 for the night shows, $30 for the matinee. The upgrade is small and the sightline difference is real.
VIP — raised bleachers, a chef-catered meal, a private restroom, and a photo booth. $120 for the night performances, $55 for the matinee.
Box Seating — a private table for six with dinner and beverages included, $130 per person, night shows only.
One thing to take seriously: the rodeo states plainly that powayrodeo.com is the only approved outlet for tickets. Resale sites list this event, often at a markup, and they aren't authorized. Buy direct.
Getting There and Parking
This is where a little planning pays off, because there is one catch.
Off-site lots cost $10 — the Circle K lot and the Trinity Church lot, both on Twin Peaks Road. No shuttles are provided, so budget for the walk. That's the detail most people miss.
On-site VIP parking is $30 and limited. ADA parking is $20 with its own separate entrance.
Drop-offs are accepted at the Twin Peaks and Tierra Bonita intersection, which makes rideshare a clean option if you'd rather skip the lot question entirely.
Accessibility: dedicated seating sits in the southeast corner with wheelchair ramps and accessible restrooms nearby, reached through a separate entrance on the south grounds. Contact the rodeo ahead if you need additional accessible seats.
Good to Know
Arrive early for bleacher seating. General admission and preferred are both unassigned, so the good spots go to whoever shows up first. Gates open two hours before the Friday show and three hours before the Saturday matinee.
There's a real prohibited-items list. No coolers or outside food and drink, no glass, no pocket knives or weapons, no umbrellas, no laser pointers, no noisemakers or banners, and no professional cameras with detachable lenses or GoPros. Bags, jackets, and blankets are searched, and there's metal scanning at entry.
No re-admittance. Once you leave, you're out — so bring what you need in one trip.
Dogs stay home. ADA service dogs only. Therapy dogs and service dogs in training are not admitted.
Bring a layer and something to sit on. Bleachers get cold after dark in late September, and a blanket is permitted (it will be searched).
Valid ID for alcohol, no exceptions, and the Rodeo Jam after party is 21 and over.
