Pro Rodeo in Ocala: Southeastern Pro Rodeo and Ocala Shrine Rodeo
Ocala hosts two PRCA-sanctioned pro rodeos a year, the Southeastern Pro Rodeo in March and the Ocala Shrine Rodeo in September, both at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.
When Are the Pro Rodeos in Ocala in 2027?
Both of Ocala's professional rodeos have posted their 2027 dates on their official websites. Each runs two evening performances at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. The table below lists what each organizer had published as of October 12, 2026.
| Rodeo | 2027 dates | Gates / start | Sanctioned by | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Pro Rodeo (34th year) | Fri.–Sat., March 19–20, 2027 | 5:30 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. | PRCA and WPRA | ocalarodeo.com, 352-875-3530 |
| Ocala Shrine Rodeo (44+ years) | Fri.–Sat., September 3–4, 2027 | 5:30 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. | PRCA and WPRA | ocalashrinerodeo.com, 352-402-8808 |
Sources: the Southeastern Pro Rodeo and Ocala Shrine Rodeo official websites, checked October 12, 2026. Ticket prices for 2027 had not been posted by either organizer; confirm with the organizer before buying.
What Is Pro Rodeo (PRCA)?
Pro rodeo is rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and calls itself the oldest and largest professional rodeo-sanctioning body in the world. In 2023 the PRCA sanctioned 790 events in 37 states and three Canadian provinces, with a total payout of $74.5 million.
According to the PRCA, pro rodeo differs from most professional sports in that contestants are not paid salaries: cowboys generally pay to enter each rodeo and earn money only if they place. Season earnings decide the eight world titles, which are crowned at the end of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Every PRCA rodeo has at least two trained judges, and PRCA stock contractors agree to follow more than 60 livestock-care rules. Local rodeo committees, mostly volunteers, organize the sanctioned rodeos.
For a spectator in Ocala, the PRCA and WPRA sanction means the Southeastern Pro Rodeo and the Ocala Shrine Rodeo run under the same judging and livestock-care rules as every other PRCA-sanctioned rodeo in North America, with professional contestants entering for prize money.
What Are the Major Rodeo Events in Ocala?
Southeastern Pro Rodeo (March)
The Southeastern Pro Rodeo has run every year since 1994 and returns for its 34th year on March 19 and 20, 2027. Its full name is the Pyranha Animal Health Southeastern Pro Rodeo, presented by Ocala Tractor. The organizer lists breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding on the program. Friday, March 19 is Wrangler Kid's Night and Saturday, March 20 is Wrangler Bucking Cancer Awareness Night. Reserved seats are handled through the tickets page on the rodeo's website, which lists 352-286-6662 for seat availability and states that all sales are final.
Ocala Shrine Rodeo (September)
The Ocala Shrine Rodeo says it has entertained central Florida for more than 44 years, and its next performances are September 3 and 4, 2027. Proceeds help support the Ocala Shrine Club and various youth organizations. The program lists bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping and breakaway roping, with the rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m. and gates at 5:30 p.m.
Why Ocala Has Two Pro Rodeos
Both rodeos use the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, which Marion County describes as an Ocala landmark since 1945. The pavilion is jointly owned by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and is managed by Marion County Parks and Recreation. The rodeos sit inside a wider equestrian scene that includes horse farms, horseback riding and show venues such as the Florida Horse Park, all part of Marion County's Horse Capital of the World identity. Western wear for rodeo night is covered in the Ocala western wear guide.
What Happens at an Ocala Rodeo?
What Is Bull Riding Like at the Rodeo?
Bull riding is on the program at both Ocala rodeos. Cowboys attempt to stay mounted on a bucking bull for eight seconds, making it one of the most thrilling and dangerous events in professional rodeo.
How Does Barrel Racing Work?
Barrel racing is a timed event where horse and rider navigate a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels at high speed. Both Ocala rodeos list barrel racing, which is sanctioned by the WPRA.
What Are Team Roping and Calf Roping?
Team roping features two mounted riders working together to rope a steer, while tie-down (calf) roping tests individual speed and technique. Both are traditional ranching skills elevated to competitive sport.
What Is Bronc Riding?
Both saddle bronc and bareback bronc riding challenge cowboys to stay mounted on a bucking horse for eight seconds. These classic rodeo events demand balance, strength, and timing from competitors.
Is There a Kids' Night at the Rodeo?
Yes. The Friday performance of the Southeastern Pro Rodeo, March 19, 2027, is billed as Wrangler Kid's Night at the Rodeo. The organizer bills the rodeo weekend as family entertainment.
What Is Breakaway Roping?
Breakaway roping is a timed roping event in which the rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string that breaks away once the calf is caught. Both Ocala rodeos list it on their 2027 programs.
Where Is the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion?
The Southeastern Livestock Pavilion is on NE Jacksonville Road in Ocala. Marion County lists the address as 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470 and describes the location as on Old Jacksonville Road, east of Highway 441 and north of Highway 27. Both rodeo organizers list the venue as 2200 NE Jacksonville Road.
According to Marion County, the pavilion has two covered arenas, an indoor sales arena with stadium seating for 800, a 226-stall concrete barn, a rec hall and the extension auditorium. The county's pavilion office number is 352-671-8600.
Beyond rodeo, the pavilion hosts horse shows, livestock sales, trade shows, the Southeastern Youth Fair and meetings throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocala Rodeo Events
When is the next pro rodeo in Ocala?
What is pro rodeo?
Are the Ocala rodeos PRCA-sanctioned?
Where are Ocala rodeo events held?
What events are at the Ocala pro rodeos?
How do you get tickets to the Ocala rodeos?
Who benefits from the Ocala Shrine Rodeo?
What Else Can You Explore in Ocala?
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion
Home arena for Ocala's rodeo events
ExploreBarrel Racing in Ocala
Western riding and rodeo competition
DiscoverOcala horse country
Ocala's equestrian heritage and culture
Learn MoreOcala Events Calendar
Find upcoming events across Marion County
View EventsThings to Do in Ocala
Activities and attractions in Marion County
ExploreExperience Pro Rodeo in Horse Country
Ocala's two pro rodeos return to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on March 19–20 and September 3–4, 2027. Ticket details and any schedule changes are posted on the organizers' websites.
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Written by the Only In Ocala Editorial Team. Dates, events and contact numbers were checked against the Southeastern Pro Rodeo, Ocala Shrine Rodeo, PRCA and Marion County websites on October 12, 2026. AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing. See our editorial guidelines.
Rodeo profesional en Ocala
Ocala tiene dos rodeos profesionales al año, ambos avalados por la Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) y la Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), en el Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL 34470. El Southeastern Pro Rodeo celebra su edición número 34 el 19 y 20 de marzo de 2027; las puertas abren a las 5:30 p.m. y el rodeo empieza a las 7:30 p.m. El Ocala Shrine Rodeo regresa el 3 y 4 de septiembre de 2027 con el mismo horario, y sus ganancias apoyan al Ocala Shrine Club y a organizaciones juveniles. El programa incluye monta de toros, carreras de barriles, monta de potros, lazo y derribo de novillos. La información de boletos está en los sitios oficiales de cada rodeo.