13-Year-Old’s Grand Champion Steer Headlines Final Weekend of 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
A 1,459-pound Charolais European cross named White Castle is about to make a young Texan’s dreams come true.
The Grand Champion Steer, owned by 13-year-old Caiman Cody from Tolar, will headline the Junior Sale of Champions livestock auction this Saturday morning, capping off the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s final weekend at Dickies Arena. The three-week celebration of Western heritage, which began January 16, wraps up February 7 with a packed schedule of events ranging from high-stakes auctions to professional rodeo competitions and live music.
“It’s unbelievable, I don’t even know what to say. We’ve been working for over a year now,” Cody told FOX 4’s Dionne Anglin after his steer claimed the top prize. “My family’s been working with me and there’s been some tough days, but we got through it.”
Final Day Festivities
Saturday’s jam-packed schedule kicks off early with the Junior Sale of Champions livestock auction at 9 a.m., where White Castle will take center stage. The afternoon continues with the Texas High School Rodeo Shootout at 1 p.m., followed by the Commercial Heifer Sale at 3 p.m., according to event organizers.
Want to catch some evening entertainment? The FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament begins at 7:30 p.m., with country music artist Will Banister performing twice – at 6:15 p.m. and again at 9:45 p.m. Blue Water Highway will close out the night with a 10 p.m. concert.
The 2026 event has featured a diverse lineup of specialty rodeos throughout its run, including the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo on January 16-17, Best of Mexico Celebración on January 18, Cowboys of Color Rodeo on January 19, and Bulls’ Night Out on January 20-21, according to Dickies Arena officials.
How to Attend
Still hoping to catch the final day’s action? Tickets for all rodeo events are available through the FWSSR website, Ticketmaster app, or at the Dickies Arena Box Office. The general ticket sale began back on September 8, but availability may vary for the final performances.
The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has long been a staple of Texas culture, bringing together agricultural education, Western sports, and entertainment. Beyond the headline-grabbing rodeo competitions, the event showcases livestock exhibitions and provides a platform for young ranchers like Cody to display their dedication to animal husbandry.
For those already looking ahead, the 2027 Stock Show & Rodeo dates haven’t been announced yet, but if tradition holds, visitors can expect another January-February timeframe at Dickies Arena.
As White Castle prepares for his auction spotlight on Saturday morning, one thing’s certain – the culmination of Caiman Cody’s year-long journey represents exactly what this 110-year-old Fort Worth tradition continues to celebrate: hard work, Western heritage, and the next generation of Texas agriculture.
