Cowtown Coliseum

The Cowtown Coliseum has stood in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards District for more than a century. Built in 1908, the arena held the first indoor rodeo in 1918 and introduced the rodeo world to bull riding in 1934. The venue was renovated in 1986, adding heating and air conditioning along with other amenities to bring the historic building up to date. It has also served as a setting for Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter, entertainers such as Elvis Presley and Bob Hope, and performances from the Russian Ballet and Chicago Grand Opera. Today it hosts more than 150 events a year.

It is first and foremost a rodeo arena, housing the Stockyards Championship Rodeo with bull riding, bucking broncos, roping, and barrel racing on Friday and Saturday nights year round. There are also sporadic events, like Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show, inspired by the original Pawnee Bill show from the early 20th century, featuring trick shooting, roping, and riding, along with cowboy songs and history lessons.

With nearly 2,000 general admission seats, hundreds of box seats, concession stands, three bars, live country music, and calf and mutton scrambles for the kids, the Cowtown Coliseum brings its own brand of unique entertainment to Dallas-Fort Worth.