Now that the horses are again within the barn, the cows are again on the pasture, and the carnival is heading down the freeway, we are able to begin making our picks for RodeoHouston performers in 2026.
The 2025 seasonwas marked by superb Houston climate from begin to end, the grand debuts of Zach Prime and Submit Malone, a brief and fiery set by Journey, and, oddly sufficient, no report live performance crowds to beat out final yr’s Jonas Brothers attendance of greater than 75,000. Nobody cracked 72,000 in 2025, despite the fact that a handful got here very shut.
On Saturday, whole attendance on the grounds was 199,220, a brand new single-day attendance report relationship again to 2003. That included the Brooks & Dunn live performance, too. General, HLSR set a brand new attendance report in 2025, with greater than 2.7 million individuals via the gates (this month’s wonderful climate actually helped).
The lineup will probably be launched in January 2026, however for now, listed here are our picks for subsequent season with out regard to funds or artist availability. (Editor’s word: Regardless that Craig went 0 for 10 final yr, we expect it is enjoyable to ponder who is perhaps performing subsequent yr.)
Dolly Parton
It’s absurd that Parton hasn’t performed Houston correct since December 2016 and hasn’t graced the rodeo stage since March 5, 1978. Different huge acts on the schedule that yr? Johnny Money with June Carter and Conway Twitty with Loretta Lynn. Whereas Parton nonetheless continues to make new music with the likes of Sabrina Carpenter, she’s mentioned she’s achieved touring other than particular exhibits. Effectively, RodeoHouston is fairly dang particular, we expect.
Lainey Wilson
Wilson wowed me in 2024 and turned in the most effective efficiency on the schedule. By late 2025 and early 2026, she must also have some new materials on faucet.
Creed
In 2024, Creed’s alt-rock contemporaries Nickelback attracted a crowd of simply over 75,000. It is a no-brainer for the aged millennials and the Technology Alpha children who can’t bear in mind how badly we hated Creed all through many of the 2000s. Come again, Scott Stapp; all is forgiven.
Los Tigres Del Norte
“Go Tejano Day” legends, they pulled in report audiences in 2019 and 2024.
Bun B
The unofficial mayor of Houston’s Black Heritage Day present has change into a RodeoHouston establishment. Bun is rapidly turning into a lock for the Star Path of Fame. What would he pull out for his fifth straight efficiency? There’s at all times Kendrick…
Megan Moroney
I had Moroney on my record for 2025, however she didn’t make the reduce. She’s had one of many largest years of anybody in nation music, and this is able to be one other notch in her blue belt.Kenny Chesney can vouch for her, too.
Chris Stapleton
Stapleton’s RodeoHouston appearances are simply a number of the most impeccable performances of any season. The one pity is that they’re solely barely over an hour lengthy. I might watch him for six hours.
Zach Bryan
Bryan bought out NRG Stadium simply final summer time, and he’s now a stadium act. With ZB on the town, the dive bars in Montrose and Midtown can be on excessive alert. We might see him posted up at Two Headed Canine, straightforward.
Sierra Ferrell
I’d love to listen to “Fox Hunt” coming from that rodeo stage. If you realize, you realize. She’s guested on a number of the largest albums of the previous few years, and he or she’s past able to stake her declare at RodeoHouston.
Zach Prime
Prime made fairly the impression in 2025 and had one of many yr’s largest crowds. There’s nowhere for Prime to go however…farther to the highest.
Morgan Wallen
Wallen has by no means performed RodeoHouston. He is perhaps too huge for the rodeo at this level, however this is able to be a simple sellout.
ZZ Prime
Billy and Frank haven’t performed RodeoHouston since 2017. Sadly, Dusty Hill received’t be with the boys this time round, however his spirit will undoubtedly be dancing within the aisles.
Cody Johnson
Hometown boy Johnson has a sturdy sound made for RodeoHouston. This may be his fifth time on the revolving stage.
Shania Twain
Can RodeoHouston pry Twain away from the Las Vegas strip? She final performed RodeoHouston in 1999. That appears prehistoric.
The Purple Clay Strays
One of many largest success tales of the previous yr would appeal to a crowd as huge as Turnpike Troubadours did in 2023 after they pulled in 74,657 true believers.
Journey
We’ll in all probability must make up for the 2025 electrical hearth below the stage someday.
Shaboozey
It was a shock that RodeoHouston didn’t land Shaboozey in 2025. “A Bar Music (Tipsy)” has been essentially the most ubiquitous music all through the NRG complicated this yr. I swear I heard it on repeat on the carnival one Friday afternoon.
Teddy Swims
Among the finest new voices in pop, a Friday evening present from the Atlanta native would kill throughout spring break.He’d additionally nail a George Strait cowl.
Nate Smith
With almost 9 million listeners on Spotify — that’s good, proper? — he might be a perfect weekday draw.
George Strait
King George’s affect was fixed in 2025, with a number of artists, like Charley Crockett and Submit Malone, placing their very own spins on his classics. He’s not performed NRG Stadium since 2022, so we’re due.
