Teton Ridge announced that The American Contender Tournament will return to three cities nationwide to host the 2025 Regional Finals in Las Vegas, Lexington and Tulsa.
The American Contender Tournament West, Central and East Regional Finals attract qualifiers from across the United States to compete in a tournament style format in hopes of making it all the way to The Crown Jewel of Rodeo™ – The American Rodeo 2025.
Just under 300 Qualifiers lead to automatic qualifications toward the Regional Finals in January and February 2025:
2025 American Contender Tournament Schedule
WEST – January 9-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada at South Point Arena & Equestrian Center
EAST– January 23-25 in Lexington, Kentucky at AllTech Arena
CENTRAL– February 13-15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at Tulsa Expo
In 2024, more than 2,617 rodeo athletes competed across the country for a chance at the $1 million bonus on the line if they made it to The American Rodeo, earning impressive money along the way. Guaranteed prize money is upwards of $981,950 for just the Regional Finals.
As part of Teton Ridge’s broadcast agreement with FOX Sports, FS1 will air all of the action from the Regional Finals as contestants vie for their piece of the prize money and their chance to make it to rodeo’s biggest stage at Globe Life Field for The American Rodeo 2025.
The American Rodeo celebrated its 12th year in 2025, and features competitors in all eight traditional rodeo disciplines – barrel racing, breakaway roping, steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc and bull riding.
The only major western sports event where professional athletes compete against everyday hardworking cowboys and cowgirls – fans can follow along throughout The American Contender Tournament by rooting for the underdog “Contenders” chasing big winnings along the way and visiting the The American Rodeo website for updates.
For more information on The American Contender Tournament, schedule of qualifying events and how to register as an athlete, please visit www.americanrodeo.com.
2024 American Rodeo Breakaway Champion: Sarah Angelone
This excerpt is pulled from the article: Sarah Angelone Seizes $100K at 2024 American Rodeo
Sarah Angelone is the newest American Rodeo breakaway champion, roping in 2.16 seconds to secure her $100,000 prize.
“It’s not true yet,” Angelone said. “It’s a pinch me moment right now.”
Saturday Mar. 9 started out at Globe Life Field with a round of 10 ladies—five who’d advanced through the Contender Tournament system and were eligible for $1 million, and five who were invited via the 2023 WPRA Breakaway World Standings finish, making them $100,000 eligible. Angelone finished No. 4 in 2023 and was part of the $100,000 crowd.
A time of 2.47 seconds in the 10 women round placed Angelone in the bottom slot to advance to a clean slate finals.
“This is my first time to be at Globe Life,” Angelone said. “I was a little long on my first one and didn’t think I was going to make the top four.”
