Our Mission
About the NVR
Honoring the courage and sacrifice of America's veterans through the tradition of professional rodeo.
The National Veterans Rodeo honors the history, service, and sacrifice of America's veterans through the tradition of professional rodeo. We combine world-class rodeo competition with a Veterans Resource Fair, creating an event that celebrates our veterans while connecting them with the services they've earned.
At each event, over 20 veteran support organizations provide direct access to healthcare, housing, education, employment, and disability compensation resources. Our goal is to enroll over 1,000 veterans into VA services at every rodeo while delivering a one-of-a-kind experience for the whole community.
Our Story
The inaugural National Veterans Rodeo and Resource Fair was held in August 2025 on the South Side of Chicago, hosted in partnership with Leave No Veteran Behind. What started as a bold idea to bring rodeo to an urban setting quickly proved to be something the veteran community was hungry for. The event drew veterans and families from across the region, combining the thrill of professional rodeo with meaningful access to support services.
The response was overwhelming. Veterans connected with critical resources. Families experienced a day of celebration. And the community showed up in force, proving that honoring our veterans is something that resonates everywhere.
The National Partner Model
The National Veterans Rodeo is built on a partner model that brings the event to cities across the country. In each city, we work with a local nonprofit partner who knows their veteran community best. These partners help coordinate veteran outreach, resource fair participation, and local engagement while NVR handles production, sponsorship, and the rodeo itself.
This model means the National Veterans Rodeo can scale to serve veterans nationwide while staying rooted in local communities. Each event reflects the character of its host city and the specific needs of its veteran population.
Our founding partner in Chicago is Leave No Veteran Behind, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring every veteran has access to the services and support they deserve. As we expand to new cities, we'll be announcing additional nonprofit partners who share our commitment to serving those who served.
2026 Vision
Building on the success of the inaugural event, the National Veterans Rodeo is expanding in 2026. We're working to bring the rodeo and resource fair to multiple cities, including Washington DC, Helena, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and more. Event dates and locations will be announced soon.