National High School Finals Rodeo Searching for Different Site

If the National High School Finals Rodeo happens this summer, it will have to be at a new site.

Health department officials in Lincoln, Nebraska issued orders for the event not to proceed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lancaster County Health Department cited that thousands of people from around the country and outside the country would be a serious coronavirus concern. The rodeo was to be held from July 19th through the 26th. While the rodeo is technically not canceled, it will not be held in Lincoln.

The National High School Finals is billed as the world's largest outdoor rodeo with over 1500 contestants from 43 states, 5 Canadian provinces in addition to Mexico and Australia. Wyoming was going to send its top 4 competitors in each event after their spring season was canceled.

The prep finals were held in Rock Springs last year and has been previously held in Gillette. The NHSFR will return to Campbell County in 2022 and 2023 with a return appearance in Rock Springs in 2024 & 2025.