CSU confirms three-night PBR event return in 2026

In Fort Collins, Colorado, Colorado State University (CSU) successfully hosted a significant event at Canvas Stadium, marking the stadium’s first major gathering outside of football games or graduations. This unprecedented event occurred over two nights on July 21 and 22, 2025, featuring a Professional Bull Riding (PBR) competition alongside a concert series. CSU's director of athletics, John Weber, remarked on the extensive preparations required for the event, which transformed the football stadium into a dual-purpose venue. The partnership with PBR was enviably timed, coming as the Cheyenne Frontier Days opted in 2025 to collaborate with another bull riding organization, PRCA Xtreme Bulls, which created an opening for PBR at CSU. Weber expressed enthusiasm for this opportunity, emphasizing its significance to the local community and the university's desire to enhance its event hosting repertoire. In what is an expansion of their partnership, CSU announced a three-night PBR event for 2026, scheduled for July 10, 11, and 12. This forthcoming event signals an increase in both the scale and duration of the activities originally hosted. PBR hosted its first event at CSU in July 2025, which received an enthusiastic response, attracting numerous fans of bull riding and country music. The inaugural show featured performances by Cross Canadian Ragweed and was initially expected to include Tim McGraw, who later canceled due to health issues. This development has heightened anticipation for next year, as CSU plans to further capitalize on this new venture. The 2025 event stemmed from the recent split between Cheyenne Frontier Days and PBR. As CFD sought to return to more traditional rodeo contests, PBR opted to establish a competing presence at CSU instead, which Weber has lauded for its potential to bring world-class entertainment to Northern Colorado. The collaboration with PBR is viewed as a strategic move to diversely use the stadium, showcasing CSU’s attractive campus while engaging with the surrounding community. This evolution in the use of Canvas Stadium is a testament to CSU’s ambitions in amplifying its role as a multi-purpose venue. Weber’s comments reflect a shared sentiment among the university's leadership regarding the potential of hosting diverse entertainment and cultural events. The excitement surrounding this partnership hints at future growth opportunities for CSU, inviting speculation as to how other events might similarly engage the community. Moving forward, the successful execution of these events could lay the groundwork for additional collaborations and innovative uses of Canvas Stadium, asserting CSU's commitment to expanding its event hosting capabilities.