Livestock shows and rodeos have been an important part of American culture for decades and they’re equally loved and celebrated around the world. These events draw visitors from far and wide to participate in and watch the fast-paced events that are often a part of the lineup.
Knowing which shows draw the most crowds is an added benefit if you’re a breeder or a seller. You can showcase your livestock, get the attention of buyers, and connect with others in the industry. Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, these top livestock shows of 2025 should be on your “must-attend” list.
Table of Contents
- National Western Stock Show
- Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
- VIV Asia 2025
- Sydney Royal Easter Show
- Sommet de l’Élevage
- North American International Livestock Exposition
- International Livestock Exhibition
- La Exposición Rural
- Selection Criteria
- Why Attend a Livestock Show in 2025?
| Event Name | Location | Date |
| National Western Stock Show | Denver, Colorado, USA | January 11 – 26, 2025 |
| Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo | Fort Worth, Texas, USA | January 17 – February 8, 2025 |
| San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo | San Antonio, Texas, USA | February 6 – 23, 2025 |
| Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo | Houston, Texas, USA | March 4 – 23, 2025 |
| VIV Asia 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand | March 12 – 14, 2025 |
| Sydney Royal Easter Show | Sydney, Australia | April 11 – 22, 2025 |
| Sommet de l’Élevage | Clermont-Ferrand, France | October 7 – 10, 2025 |
| North American International Livestock Exposition | Louisville, Kentucky, USA | November 6 – 20, 2025 |
| International Livestock Exhibition | Cremona, Italy | November 27 – 29, 2025 |
| La Exposición Rural | Buenos Aires, Argentina | July 17 – August 3, 2025 |
1. National Western Stock Show
Dates: January 11 – 26, 2025
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Why Attend?
The 2025 National Western Stock Show (NWSS), which celebrated this iconic Colorado tradition over 16 days in January, attracted over 658,109 visitors. This year’s attendance numbers placed the event among the top 10 in the show’s history.
While this year’s event is already over, we highly recommend attending this livestock show in 2026. It features competitions for beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and horses, along with rodeos and agricultural trade shows.
Key Highlights:
- Over 12,000 head of livestock
- 25+ breeds of cattle showcased
- Junior Livestock Auction – a prime event for young exhibitors
- Cutting-edge livestock genetics symposiums
2. Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Dates: January 17 – February 8, 2025
Location: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Why Attend?
If you’re looking for an authentic Western lifestyle experience, there’s no other event like the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. This stock show is 23 days of fun events like horse shows, exhibits, carnival, live music, and the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament.
Key Highlights:
- Elite cattle, horse, sheep, and goat competitions
- Best of the West Ranch Rodeo
- Breeding stock sales with premier bloodlines
3. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
Dates: February 6 – 23, 2025
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Why Attend?
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year and has become one of the most prestigious events in the city. It’s also recognized as one of the Top Five Livestock Shows in the U.S.
The show has been attracting breeders from around the country since 1949 for its livestock auctions, calf scramble, horse events, and other competitions. There are plenty of entertainment options as well, such as live music, carnival, shopping, and dining.
Key Highlights:
- Nationally ranked livestock competitions
- Livestock sale with premium bidders
- Rodeo concerts and agricultural expos
4. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Dates: March 4 – 23, 2025
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Why Attend?
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) is the world’s largest livestock exhibition, welcoming over 2.5 million visitors annually. Since 1932, the event has made a huge mark on the livestock and rodeo industry. If you’re planning to compete, there are three categories to choose from: Youth Show, Open Show, and Junior Show.
Key Highlights:
- Record-breaking Junior Market Auctions
- Elite breeding stock sales
- Industry-leading agricultural innovation forums
5. VIV Asia 2025
Dates: March 12 – 14, 2025
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Why Attend?
A global leader in livestock technology and agribusiness, VIV Asia attracts over 45,000 international attendees. It’s the largest feed to food event in Asia that attracts buyers from all over the continent. If you’re interested in animal husbandry, livestock production, breeding, or related sectors, this is the livestock event to attend.
Key Highlights:
- Focus on sustainable animal production
- Breakthroughs in genetics, feed, and disease prevention
6. Sydney Royal Easter Show
Dates: April 11 – 22, 2025
Location: Sydney, Australia
Why Attend?
Australia’s largest agricultural event, featuring world-class livestock competitions and rural industry showcases. The Sydney Royal Easter Show was first held in 1823 and has been attracting over 800,000 attendees since then.
If you’re looking for an event to learn more about Australian rural traditions, this show offers unique experiences. As a bonus, the revenue generated from the show is invested in agricultural programs, education, competitions, and rural NWS.
Key Highlights:
- Grand Champion Livestock Sales
- Interactive agricultural education programs
7. Sommet de l’Élevage
Dates: October 7 – 10, 2025
Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France
Why Attend?
Sommet de l’Élevage is Europe’s top livestock show focused on cattle breeding and sustainable farming. The annual event attracts professionals from around the world to showcase animals, promote livestock farming best practices, and exchange innovative ideas.
Attend the 2025 event to explore exhibitions, attend conferences, and participate in equine, sheep, and cattle competitions.
Key Highlights:
- Specialty dairy and beef cattle showcases
- Advanced breeding techniques & AI technology
8. North American International Livestock Exposition
Dates: November 6 – 20, 2025
Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Why Attend?
This is one of North America’s premier purebred events, featuring nine major livestock divisions. This exposition is renowned for its extensive purebred livestock competitions, encompassing various species and breeds, and includes numerous educational seminars.
Each year, exhibitors from around the world attend this event in Louisville to compete for purple banners.
Key Highlights:
- Competitive beef, dairy, and swine divisions
- Industry networking events
9. International Livestock Exhibition
Dates: November 27 – 29, 2025
Location: Cremona, Italy
Why Attend?
The Cremona International Livestock Exhibition focuses on dairy and beef cattle and features the latest advancements in livestock breeding and management. If you’re a breeder, this is a unique opportunity to learn more about tools for genetics and breeding management that have been at the heart of Italy’s agri-livestock supply chains.
Key Highlights:
- Top-tier dairy cattle genetics
- Sustainability in livestock production forums
10. La Exposición Rural
Dates: July 17 – August 3, 2025
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why Attend?
As Argentina’s premier agricultural event, La Exposición Rural showcases the country’s top livestock and agricultural machinery and offers a variety of industry-related activities. With over 4,500 animal exhibitors and 400 trade exhibitors, this is the largest livestock event in Argentina.
Key Highlights:
- Elite Angus and Hereford auctions
- Global agribusiness networking
Selection Criteria
We considered a number of factors to make sure the events we curate are the most valuable for exhibitors and breeders. Here’s what we based our selections on:
- Historical significance and industry reputation
- Attendance numbers and scale
- Opportunities for breeders and exhibitors
- International influence and global representation
- Industry impact and innovation
- Networking benefits
Why Attend a Livestock Show in 2025?
The livestock shows we’ve curated serve as a cornerstone in the industry. They promote innovation, education, and sustainability. They offer an excellent opportunity to connect with others and find new technologies that can help you take your livestock farming business to the next level.
Whether you’re fairly new in the industry or a seasoned farmer, make room in your schedule for a few of these events each year if you can.