National Western Stock Show breaks opening weekend attendance record
- Media Logic Radio
- 4 hours ago
- 1 min read
The National Western Stock Show kicked off its 120th anniversary celebration over the weekend — and it did so by breaking attendance records.
According to organizers, nearly one hundred nineteen thousand people packed the Stock Show grounds in northern Denver on Saturday and Sunday, setting a new record for opening weekend attendance at the 16-day event.
While the Stock Show is not marking 120 consecutive years — the 2021 show was canceled because of the COVID pandemic — this year does mark 120 years since the event was first established.
Organizers say part of the draw this year is the debut of two major new facilities at the National Western Complex. The anniversary celebration includes the grand opening of the 30-acre Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, along with “The Legacy,” the Stock Show’s new world headquarters.
First-year CEO and president Wes Allison called the start of the 2026 Stock Show “incredible,” saying it’s been rewarding to see guests experience the expanded campus while the traditions that define the Stock Show remain front and center.
Last year’s event drew more than six hundred fifty-eight thousand visitors, placing it among the top ten most-attended Stock Shows in history. With a record-breaking opening weekend, organizers say 2026 could challenge that mark.
The National Western Stock Show runs for thirteen more days, featuring vendors, rodeos, livestock competitions, auctions, and classic Western food.
Tuesday is Free Grounds Admission Day, allowing visitors to explore the Stock Show grounds and activities at no cost.
More information, tickets, and schedules are available at nationalwestern dot com.
