Caesars Superdome to host Hondo Rodeo Fest April 10-12

In a little over 40 days, a major event is coming to New Orleans, as Hondo Rodeo Fest will be held at the Caesars Superdome from April 10th to the 12th. Each day, there are two hours of rodeo competition, followed by a music concert featuring big name acts like Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cody Johnson and Creed. James Trawick is the CEO of the Hondo Rodeo Fest.

“The Hondo Rodeo Fest is excited to be here. We started building this event in Phoenix, Arizona, and New Orleans is our first expansion market. There’s so many athletes that come from the state of Louisiana. We thought this was the perfect fit,” Trawick said.

The Hondo Rodeo Fest had its first three-day rodeo competition with country music concerts in November of 2024 in Phoenix. Another Hondo Rodeo Fest was held last November in Phoenix, and this is the first time they are holding the fest outside of Arizona.

Trawick says they chose Louisiana because the state has some of the best rodeo competitors in the U.S.

“There’s a lot of athletes that come from the state of Louisiana. There’s more world champions that come from the state of Louisiana than Wyoming,” Trawick noted.

Kade Sonnier, Waylon Bourgeois, Tyler Waguespack, Shane Hanchey and Jace Trosclair are among the Louisiana athletes competing.

The Hondo Rodeo’s invite-only format features world champion cowboys and cowgirls across all eight categories, all competing for a $1 million prize purse. Former Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs is part of the production, and she calls it adrenaline-pumping.

“We like to joke that we’ll sell you the whole seat, but you’re only going to use the edge of it. Because, truly, your heart is beating just as fast as those contestants in the arena, when they’re getting on those bulls or running around those barrels. So, it’s action-packed,” Riggs said.

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster or at The Hondo Rodeo Fest. Special discounted tickets are on sale through Friday. Not only are there rodeos and music concerts, but a Western-themed Street Fest will take place in Champions Square.