The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is one of the largest rodeos in the United States. Every year, over 2 million people attend this iconic Texas event. With so many exciting attractions like bull riding, calf roping, and live music performances, it’s no wonder the San Antonio Rodeo draws such massive crowds. If you’re planning to attend the rodeo for the first time, you’re probably wondering – how much is the entrance fee to get in?
Entrance Fee for San Antonio Rodeo
The entrance fee to attend the San Antonio Rodeo varies depending on the day, your age, and whether you buy your tickets in advance or at the gate. Here is a breakdown of the standard entrance fees:
| Day | Advance Ticket Price | Gate Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | $20 for adults (13 and up) | $25 for adults (13 and up) |
| Friday | $30 for adults (13 and up) | $35 for adults (13 and up) |
| Saturday & Sunday | $35 for adults (13 and up) | $40 for adults (13 and up) |
As you can see, buying your tickets in advance saves you $5-10 per ticket depending on the day. Advance tickets can be purchased on the San Antonio Rodeo’s official website. At the gate, tickets can only be purchased via credit/debit card.
Child, Military, and Senior Discounts
The San Antonio Rodeo offers discounted entrance for the following groups:
- Children (3-12 years old) – $10 advance, $15 gate
- Active military personnel with ID – $20 advance, $25 gate
- Seniors age 65+ – $20 advance, $25 gate
Kids under 3 years old get in free. For military and senior discounts, proper identification must be presented at the time of entry.
What Does Your Rodeo Ticket Include?
Your San Antonio Rodeo ticket grants you access to the entire grounds for the entirety of that day’s events. This includes:
- All rodeo events like bull riding, bronc riding, steer wrestling
- Live music concerts
- Carnival rides and games
- Agricultural exhibits and livestock shows
- Shopping and food vendors
So your single ticket enables you to take in all the sights and attractions at the rodeo for one full day. Certain special events, concerts, or carnival rides may require an additional fee. But your basic grounds admission ticket covers access to everything.
Buying Tickets in Advance vs at the Gate
As shown in the ticket price overview earlier, you can save $5-10 per ticket by purchasing in advance rather than at the gate. Here are some additional benefits to buying your San Antonio Rodeo tickets early:
- Avoid box office lines – Skip the long ticket queues by entering via the advance purchase lane
- Get better seat selection – Early ticket buyers get the best pick of open seats before they sell out
- Enter anytime – Advance purchase tickets allow entry anytime during the day, versus specific entry times for gate tickets
- Get discounts – Special early bird deals and package promos are only offered on advance purchase tickets
The main drawback of advance tickets is that you have to choose your date ahead of time. But overall, buying early typically provides the most convenience and savings.
Where to Get Advance Tickets
You can purchase San Antonio Rodeo advance tickets from the following sources:
- Rodeo’s official website – conventient online ticket purchasing
- HEB stores in San Antonio area – avoid online fees
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo box offices – located throughout city
- Discount ticket vendors – third party sellers like Goldstar or Groupon
The rodeo’s website tends to have the largest inventory and most ticket options. But exploring other sources can sometimes yield special deals and lower pricing.
Ways to Save on San Antonio Rodeo Tickets
While the San Antonio Rodeo offers family fun for an affordable price, there are still ways you can look to save on admission costs:
Go on a Weeknight
Monday through Thursday night tickets are $5-10 cheaper than prime Friday/weekend dates. Less crowds make weeknights ideal for saving money and avoiding long lines.
Buy Discount Tickets
Check sites like Goldstar and Groupon for discount rodeo ticket deals. Unlike daily tickets, the discounts are usually only valid for certain off-peak dates.
Attend Military or First Responder Day
Active military personnel and first responders who show ID get free grounds admission once during the rodeo’s run.
Sign Up for Rodeo Insider Club
Members get access to ticket pre-sales, discounts, and other exclusive offers that can save up to 20% on admission.
Volunteer at the Rodeo
Volunteers who work a minimum number of hours get two free grounds admission tickets.
Other San Antonio Rodeo Ticket Types
Beyond general grounds admission, the San Antonio Rodeo also offers other ticket packages and upgrades:
Carnival Ticket Packages
Unlimited ride wristbands start at $30 for a 1-day pass. Discounted bundles packages available for multiple day rides.
Concert Tickets
Reserved concert seating available for $20-50 beyond general grounds entry. Features major acts like Brad Paisley, Ricky Martin etc.
Box Seats
All-inclusive catered box seats provide VIP experience with premium views. Ticket prices start around $600 per box.
BBQ Cook Off
Special ticket gets you access to taste samples from the cook off competitors. Pricing varies by day.
Conclusion
Attending the action-packed San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is a bucket-list Texas event. With grounds admission starting at just $20 for adults and even cheaper for kids, it offers a very affordable family outing. Buying advance tickets online provides the biggest discounts off gate prices. And visiting on a weekday, using promos, or looking for special deals can potentially save you even more on rodeo admission costs. With all the concerts, carnival rides, livestock shows, and exciting rodeos, this San Antonio tradition provides a full day of fun that makes the entrance fee worthwhile.
