CFD welcomed more than 238,238 visitors during 130th year

CHEYENNE (WNE) — The 130th anniversary of Cheyenne Frontier Days is in the books, and the numbers show another year of well-attended entertainment, rodeo action and historic events.

More than 800 rodeo contestants competed for $1.1 million in prize money over the course of 10 days, and CFD reported a total attendance of 283,138, which is more than 33,000 higher than the 2025 tally.

CFD Chief Executive Officer Tom Hirsig told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that the biggest factors for increased attendance were the lineup of Frontier Nights performances and the opening of the new Morning Star American Indian Village, which likely also helped spur the sale of more rodeo tickets.

“I think the rodeo was tremendous. The concerts were, I think, a great lineup and great entertainment. The Xtreme Bulls was again a hit,” he said. “I think everything was great.”

Some rodeo fans expressed negative opinions online about the change in this year’s CFD qualifying format, which eliminated the pre-rodeo qualifying rounds known as slack, and invited competitors based on Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings and winning certain earlier rodeos it declared qualifying events.

Hirsig said that sometimes it’s not possible for CFD to be what it was 50 years ago.

“I think, you know, anytime you change something, it’s hard,” Hirsig said. ‘“... When you make changes, some people like them, some people don’t.”

According to a CFD news release, 113,787 fans attended the 10 days of rodeo at Frontier Park Arena, which is an increase of approximately 3,000 fans compared to 2025.

This story was published on July 28, 2026. 

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