The dust has settled on 17th Street, the Longhorns have finished their march through downtown, and the "Best 16 Days in January" are officially in full swing. This isn’t just another rodeo—it’s the 120th Anniversary of the National Western Stock Show (NWSS), and Denver is celebrating with a massive $100-million-plus expansion that is changing the face of the American West.

Whether you’re here for the high-stakes mutton bustin' or the million-dollar livestock auctions, the 2026 show is a masterclass in honoring the past while building a massive future.

1. A New Horizon: The Legacy & Livestock Center

The biggest news for the 120th anniversary is the grand debut of two architectural game-changers on the National Western Center campus:

• The Legacy: This is the NWSS’s new world headquarters. It’s more than an office; it’s a cultural hub. Check out the Katherine and Robert J. Wilson Gallery on the first floor to see the permanent art collection, then head to the Legacy Saloon. It’s an authentic turn-of-the-century watering hole built with historic bricks salvaged from the old stockyards.
• The Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center: A state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot facility. It features the CoBank Arena (5,000 seats) and the Coors Banquet Hall, which offers indoor-outdoor seating. For the exhibitors who travel from all 50 states, this is finally the "Super Bowl" venue they’ve been waiting for.

2. 120th Anniversary "Firsts" & Special Events

To celebrate 120 years, the NWSS has added several unique elements for 2026:

• The Commemorative Buckle: On Opening Day (Jan 10), the first 120 guests through the gates received a limited-edition 120th-anniversary belt buckle.
• GASCAR Crazy Animal Races: New for 2026! Watch inter-species racing at "Itty Bitty Acres" where goats, sheep, and pigs don racing silks and compete in high-speed (and high-chaos) heats.
• The 150/250 Time Capsule: This year, the NWSS partnered with the state to bury a time capsule at The Legacy building, commemorating the 120th Stock Show alongside Colorado’s 150th and America’s 250th anniversaries.

3. World-Class Art & Culture

The Coors Western Art Exhibit & Sale has moved into its stunning new home on the second floor of The Legacy.

• 2026 Featured Artist: Logan Maxwell Hagege is the star of the show this year, known for his geometric, modern take on Western landscapes.
• Young Guns Art Show: Perfect for younger collectors, this exhibit features emerging artists and is a great way to see how the "New West" is being painted.

4. Traditions That Never Get Old

While the buildings are new, the soul of the show remains. Don't miss these staples:

• The Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza: (Jan 11) A vibrant celebration of Vaquero culture featuring trick roping and Mariachi music.
• MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo: (Jan 19) A powerful tribute to the Black cowboys and cowgirls who shaped Western history.
• Draft Horse Show: Watch the massive "gentle giants" compete in the Stadium Arena—it’s one of the most majestic sights in the show.

5. Why 120 Years Matters

The Stock Show is a non-profit powerhouse. Beyond the boots and spurs, it fuels the National Western Scholarship Trust, which awards over $550,000 annually to students studying agriculture and rural medicine. With winning bids at the Junior Livestock Auction reaching up to $210,000, your ticket helps fund the future of American farming.