LAS VEGAS (March 31, 2026) – The Run For A Million, the premier event in the Western performance horse industry, will expand its competitive lineup in 2026 with the addition of a $50,000-Added Breakaway Roping Showcase presented in partnership with PWR (Premier Women’s Rodeo). The new roping event will take place during The Run For A Million, August 14, at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The Run For A Million, first held in 2019, has been widely credited with shifting the trajectory of the Western performance horse industry. Created by screenwriter, director, and producer Taylor Sheridan, the event was designed to spotlight real-life horsemen and women. It is the centerpiece of the television series The Last Cowboy, also created by Sheridan and now in its sixth season.
While it began with a focus on reining, The Run For A Million has expanded to include cutting and reined cow horse competition, both of which have also seen increased visibility and growth. That continued expansion across disciplines has helped position The Run For A Million as a stage not just for reining, but for the broader Western performance and rodeo industries.
Building on that momentum, the Showcase highlights the explosive growth in popularity of rodeo’s fastest event, breakaway roping, bringing many of the sport’s top female athletes to one of the most prestigious stages in Western sports.
“Partnering with Premier Women’s Rodeo allows us to introduce one of the fastest-growing events in rodeo to The Run For A Million audience,” said Cheryl Cody, The Run For A Million Manager. “Breakaway roping has captured tremendous fan interest, and we are proud to welcome these outstanding athletes.”
The Breakaway Roping Showcase will feature 20 contestants, selected through a combination of invitations and qualifying opportunities.
Invited Contestants
The following athletes will receive invitations to compete:
- 2026 PWR World Champion Pro
- 2026 PWR World Champion Challenger
- 2026 PWR World Champion Limited
- 2026 PWR Championship Event Champion
- 2025 WPRA World Champion from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
- 2027 PWR Pro Classification Leaderboard #1 as of June 14, 2026
- 2027 PWR Challenger Classification Leaderboard #1 as of June 14, 2026
- 2027 PWR Limited Classification Leaderboard #1 as of June 14, 2026
Qualifying Opportunities
An additional 12 contestants will earn their way into the showcase through two qualifying routes:
- 10 contestants from the PWR Last Chance Qualifier Open Aggregate, taking place May 10, 2026, Circle T Arena, Hamilton, TX.
- Top two contestants from the PWR Championship Overall Three-Head Aggregate, May 12–15, Ft. Worth, TX.
“The Run For A Million has changed the game for the equine industry by creating numerous opportunities for breeders, trainers, and riders – and now the PWR cowgirls. By adding breakaway roping, they are opening doors for women to compete on one of the largest and most prestigious stages. Moments like this remind us that when the Western industry works together, we all become stronger,” said Linsay Rosser Sumpter, Commissioner of the PWR, the world’s largest all-women rodeo.
Breakaway Ropers will be able to enter the qualifiers in the NextGen Rodeo App. The fee to enter the qualifiers is $150 and once qualified, a $750 fee is required from the top 20 athletes competing in the showcase. Visit therunforamillion.com for entry and event details.
The $50,000-added showcase is designed to highlight the elite level of women’s breakaway roping while creating an exciting, fast-paced competition for fans attending The Run For A Million. As the event continues to grow beyond its reining roots, the addition of breakaway roping further expands its reach and reinforces its role as a platform for the industry’s top athletes across multiple disciplines.
About PWR (Premier Women’s Rodeo)
PWR, the largest all-women’s rodeo in the world, is a new women’s rodeo brand owned and operated by PBR – the global leader in bull riding and part of TKO Group Holdings. Built from the foundation of the Women’s Rodeo Championships, which launched the Women’s Rodeo World Championship in 2020, PWR carries significant momentum. To date, the platform has paid nearly $4.5 million to female athletes and delivered the highest-rated rodeo telecast ever on CBS.
PWR is the only all-women’s, multi-discipline championship featuring Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Team Roping, and Goat Tying. The league offers equal payouts across disciplines and a tiered Pro, Challenger, and Limited classification system designed to create true competitive parity and accessibility for athletes ages 13 and up.
Through year-round qualification via the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier, championship competition in iconic venues alongside the PBR World Finals, and national broadcast exposure, PWR removes traditional barriers to entry while leveraging PBR’s unmatched marketing, media, and storytelling platform to build star athletes and elevate women’s rodeo to a mainstream sports audience.
About The Run For A Million
Held annually at the South Point Hotel & Casino, The Run For A Million has quickly become one of the most talked-about events in Western performance sports, featuring world-class reining competition and other events. Founded by screenwriter, director, and producer Taylor Sheridan, the event brings together an elite field of top riders and highly trained horses to compete for a $1 million purse, with 16 of the sport’s best qualifying for the prestigious Million Dollar Competition. Beyond the marquee event, TRFAM offers a full slate of competitions, including cutting, cow horse, youth, and Non Pro divisions, cementing its status as a week-long celebration of Western performance disciplines. The event is widely recognized for playing a pivotal role in elevating the sport’s global profile.
More information about the Breakaway Roping Showcase will be posted on TheRunForAMillion.com.
