The Big Sky Pro Rodeo: Montana's Premier Summer Rodeo Showdown

Under the vast Montana sky, where the plains meet the mountains and the spirit of the West runs as deep as the Missouri River, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo returns to Great Falls for its highly anticipated 2025 edition. Mark your calendars for July 30 through August 2, as the Montana Expo Grandstands transforms into the epicenter of rodeo excellence, bringing together top competitors from across the Mountain States Circuit and beyond.

A Montana Tradition Under Summer Stars

As twilight settles over the Montana Expo Park and the grandstands fill with eager spectators, there's a palpable electricity in the air. The Big Sky Pro Rodeo isn't just another stop on the professional rodeo circuit—it's a celebration of Montana's rich western heritage and a showcase of world-class rodeo talent.

"The Big Sky Pro Rodeo has become one of the crown jewels of our Montana summer circuit events," says a veteran PRCA official. "The combination of top stock contractors, elite competitors, and the passionate Great Falls crowd creates an atmosphere that's second to none in our region."

For four action-packed evenings, the Montana Expo Grandstands will host a rodeo spectacle featuring over $57,400 in prize money, attracting the sport's finest athletes who are all vying for crucial points as they chase their championship dreams and a shot at the National Finals.

Seven Events, Countless Thrills

As with all PRCA-sanctioned events, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo delivers the full complement of classic rodeo disciplines that test the skill, courage, and precision of the competitors.

Roughstock Events: Man vs. Beast

The thunderous roar of the crowd reaches its peak during the roughstock events, where riders must maintain perfect form while aboard animals bred specifically for their athletic bucking prowess.

Bull Riding – Often called the "most dangerous eight seconds in sports," bull riders grip a flat braided rope with one hand and attempt to stay aboard a spinning, leaping 2,000-pound bull. No event captures the essence of rodeo quite like bull riding, which typically serves as the grand finale each evening.

Bareback Riding – With only a rigging resembling a suitcase handle to hold onto, bareback riders endure perhaps the most physically demanding event in rodeo. Their free arms must avoid touching the horse while their spurs maintain contact with the animal's shoulders in a rhythmic motion that judges score for technical precision.

Saddle Bronc Riding – Considered rodeo's classic event with roots tracing back to ranch work, saddle bronc riding combines technical skill with elegant style. Riders must synchronize their spurring motion with the horse's bucking pattern while holding a single rein and maintaining proper form.

Timed Events: Precision Under Pressure

While roughstock events showcase raw courage, the timed events demonstrate the practical skills that working cowboys have refined over generations.

Steer Wrestling – Also known as "bulldogging," this event features the cowboy leaping from horseback onto a running steer, using strength and leverage to bring the animal to a halt. The Montana Expo's long arena gives competitors ample room to showcase their technique in this test of timing and power.

Tie-Down Roping – A demonstration of the skills needed on working ranches, tie-down roping requires the cowboy to rope a calf, dismount, flank the animal, and secure three legs with a pigging string—all while the clock ticks relentlessly.

Team Roping – The only true team event in rodeo pairs a header (who ropes the steer's horns) with a heeler (who ropes the hind legs). Success demands flawless communication between the ropers and their horses in this demonstration of precision and partnership.

Barrel Racing – The Women's Professional Rodeo Association brings elite female athletes to compete in barrel racing, where horse and rider navigate a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels at breakneck speeds. The Great Falls crowd always appreciates the combination of speed, agility, and the special bond between these competitors and their equine partners.

Beyond the Competition: A Full Western Experience

The Big Sky Pro Rodeo delivers more than just competition—it's a complete western experience that begins well before the first chute opens and continues long after the final bull ride.

Each performance opens with a patriotic ceremony celebrating Montana's western heritage and American values. The crowd rises as the American flag enters the arena carried by a mounted rider at full gallop, a moment of unity before the competition begins.

Throughout the evening, the rodeo's entertainment team keeps the energy high during transitions between events. The rodeo clown doesn't just provide comic relief—they're also trained safety personnel who protect fallen riders from aggressive bulls, showcasing both courage and timing.

Younger fans particularly enjoy the intermission entertainment, including the crowd-favorite Mutton Bustin' competition where local children aged 5-7 test their riding skills atop sheep in a miniature version of the roughstock events. The determined expressions and occasional triumphant rides from these young competitors often generate some of the loudest cheers of the night.

The Montana Expo Park grounds surrounding the arena transform into a celebration of western lifestyle, featuring vendor booths offering everything from custom leather goods and western apparel to local Montana crafts. The tantalizing aroma of barbecue and fair favorites wafts through the summer air, with concession stands serving up hearty meals and refreshing beverages to complete the experience.

Securing Your Spot at Montana's Premier Rodeo

The Big Sky Pro Rodeo consistently ranks among Montana's most popular summer events, with thousands of spectators filling the grandstands each night. Tickets for the 2025 edition will go on sale beginning May 30, 2025, and rodeo enthusiasts are encouraged to purchase early to secure preferred seating.

Attendees can choose between general admission seating or reserved seats that offer prime viewing angles of all the action. Special seating options include family sections and premium viewing areas that put you right on top of the bucking chutes where the most intense moments unfold.

The Montana Expo Grandstands offers accessible seating options for those with mobility requirements, with designated areas providing excellent views of the arena floor. Companion seating is available adjacent to accessible sections to ensure friends and family can enjoy the rodeo together.

For those planning to attend multiple nights of the four-day event, multi-performance packages will be available, allowing fans to follow the competition from the first go-round through to the final championship rides. These packages have proven particularly popular with dedicated rodeo followers who appreciate watching the drama unfold across all performances.

When tickets become available, they can be purchased directly through this website, eliminating concerns about unauthorized resellers or counterfeit tickets. The convenient online purchasing system allows fans to select specific seats and immediately secure their spot at this premier PRCA event.

A Boost for Great Falls

Beyond the thrills in the arena, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo represents a significant economic driver for Great Falls and the surrounding region. The influx of competitors, stock contractors, rodeo personnel, and thousands of spectators creates a substantial economic impact during the height of Montana's summer tourism season.

Local hotels reach peak capacity during rodeo week, while restaurants and retail businesses welcome the surge of visitors. For many Great Falls businesses, the rodeo represents one of the year's busiest and most profitable periods.

"This rodeo is woven into the fabric of our community," notes a local business owner. "When the Big Sky Pro Rodeo comes to town, there's a special energy throughout Great Falls. You see cowboy hats everywhere, our restaurants are packed, and there's just this wonderful celebration of western culture that brings everyone together."

The event also showcases Montana Expo Park, one of the state's premier multi-use facilities, highlighting Great Falls as a destination capable of hosting major regional events. Many first-time visitors to the rodeo discover the charm of Great Falls and return for future visits, creating lasting economic benefits beyond the four-day event.

Join Us Under the Big Sky

As the sun sets over the Rocky Mountain Front and the arena lights illuminate the Montana Expo Grandstands this coming July 30 through August 2, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo promises to deliver another unforgettable celebration of western excellence and Montana heritage.

Whether you're a dedicated rodeo enthusiast who can distinguish a good spur ride from a great one, or a first-time attendee curious about this quintessential western tradition, the Big Sky Pro Rodeo welcomes you to experience the perfect blend of world-class competition and western hospitality.

With top competitors from across the Mountain States Circuit and beyond, stock provided by premier contractors, and the unmatched atmosphere of a Montana summer evening, the 2025 Big Sky Pro Rodeo stands ready to take its place among the season's must-attend PRCA events.

Mark your calendar for May 30 when tickets go on sale, and prepare to witness the courage, skill, and western tradition that have made the Big Sky Pro Rodeo a Montana summer tradition. We'll see you at the rodeo!