STATE FAIR OF TEXAS TO HOST THE 2023 UNITED PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION YEAR-END FINALE

The State Fair of Texas is proud to welcome the Year-End Finale of the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA) to the Fair Park Coliseum this October as part of the Fair’s rodeo lineup. The UPRA Year-End Finals will feature several rodeo events that are open to the public, along with a Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the crowning of Miss UPRA. This will be the first time the UPRA finals have been held outside of Sulphur Springs since 1979.

“I really appreciate the staff of the State Fair, their long hours, and hard work to put this deal together,” said Jerry P. Hill of the United Professional Rodeo Association. “Our board of directors, members, stock contractors, personnel, and rodeo committees have worked so hard to better the association and the sport of rodeo. It takes a lot of work to put together a project of this size, and we are excited for our contestants, stock contractors, committees, and personnel. This is the beginning of another great chapter of rodeo in Texas. The State Fair will be a great home for the UPRA finals.”

The rodeo will take place during the 2023 State Fair of Texas in the historic Fair Park Coliseum, home of the first National Finals Rodeo in 1959. The UPRA Year-End Finale Rodeo will feature six performances starting Thursday, October 19, and running through Sunday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. with an additional performance at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

“The Fair is incredibly honored to be hosting such a prestigious event,” said Daryl Real, senior vice president of agriculture and livestock for the State Fair of Texas. “Last year Fair Park Coliseum was the host to UPRA Texas Regional Series Finale and bringing the Year-End Finale of the UPRA this year provides an opportunity for fairgoers to witness the best rodeo has to offer. We’re beyond proud to be the new home of the UPRA Year-End Finale.”

The top 15 contestants in bareback riding, ladies barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, women’s breakaway roping, and bull riding, along with the highest-ranking rookie in each category, will compete for more than $300,000. Each performance will feature eight contestants nightly, with all contestants competing on Saturday – either in the matinee or evening performance. The event will feature three rounds with plans of moving to additional rounds in the future. Champions will be crowned on the arena floor immediately following the final performance.

Contestants can find more information at www.urodeo.com. The 2023 State Fair of Texas, running September 29 through October 22, 2023, will welcome fairgoers to the UPRA Year-End Finale as well as various other rodeo events on each of the weekends during the Fair.

About the State Fair of Texas

Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2023 exposition runs September 30 through October 23 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information. 

About UPRA
The United Professional Rodeo Association is a combination of several successful regional associations with great rodeo history across the southern United States. In 1995, the Texas Professional Rodeo Association and Central Rodeo Association merged assets to form the United Professional Rodeo Association; in 2014, the Texas Cowboys Rodeo Association joined the United Professional Rodeo Association. The Texas Rodeo Association was created in 1961, the Central Rodeo Association was created in 1956 and the Texas Cowboy Rodeo Association was created in 1983, the combination of associations brings 107 years of rodeo history to the United Professional Rodeo Association. We continue this journey as Past, Present, and Future Cowboys and Cowgirls working to better preserve the sport of rodeo. For more information, please visit www.urodeo.com.

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