Is Rodeo Still Legal? The 2025 Legal Landscape, Explained

Yes—rodeo remains legal in many places, including most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and much of Australia and New Zealand—but it faces increasing limits. Some jurisdictions prohibit specific events or equipment, others bar rodeos on public land, and a few places effectively ban traditional rodeos altogether. The details depend heavily on local animal-welfare laws and municipal ordinances.

What “rodeo” means in law—and why it’s debated

Rodeo typically refers to a set of competitive events rooted in ranch work (such as bull riding, bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling). Legal debates focus on animal welfare: whether events or tools like flank straps and electric prods cause undue stress or injury, how animals are transported and cared for, and whether veterinary oversight is adequate. Because animal-welfare powers are often local or regional, rules vary widely by country, state, and city.

Events and equipment that often trigger legal scrutiny

Rodeo is not regulated as a single category everywhere; authorities often target specific practices. Understanding the focal points helps explain why legality differs by place.

• Tie-down (calf) roping, steer wrestling, and bronc/bull riding, especially when involving young or unconditioned animals
• Use of flank straps, electric prods, sharpened/spur rowels, and nose tongs
• Veterinary presence and post-incident reporting requirements
• Transport, housing, and rest standards for animals before and after events

Where lawmakers draw lines on these practices largely determines whether a traditional, PRCA-style rodeo can legally proceed—or whether only modified or exhibition-style events are permissible.

Where rodeo remains legal in 2025

The following regions broadly allow rodeo, though often with conditions. Local permits, animal-welfare codes, and venue rules can still make or break an event.

• United States: Rodeo is legal nationwide, with regulation primarily at the state and local level. Federal law does not specifically regulate rodeos; many states impose veterinary, equipment, or reporting requirements.
• Canada: Rodeo is legal across provinces; major events like the Calgary Stampede continue. Some cities restrict rodeos on municipal property.
• Mexico: Charreada and rodeo traditions are legal and regulated; state-level rules vary.
• Brazil: Rodeios are legal and prominent; states and municipalities commonly regulate equipment and veterinary oversight.
• Australia: Rodeo operates legally in most states and territories under codes of practice and licensing—though with a notable territorial ban (see below).
• New Zealand: Rodeo remains legal under national Codes of Welfare; some councils decline to host rodeos on council-controlled land.

In these places, organizers typically comply with welfare standards (such as veterinary presence and limits on specific gear) to obtain permits and insurance, while municipalities may impose additional conditions on public venues.

Notable bans and tight restrictions

Several jurisdictions either prohibit rodeos outright or restrict signature events or equipment so heavily that traditional formats are infeasible.

• United Kingdom: Traditional rodeo events are effectively prohibited under animal-welfare legislation; roping events and the use of certain devices are not permitted.
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Rodeos are banned under territorial animal-welfare law, distinguishing the ACT from other Australian jurisdictions where rodeos operate under codes of practice.
• Rhode Island, USA: The state bans calf (tie-down) roping at rodeos, making standard formats non-viable without event modifications.
• Municipal bans/restrictions in North America: A number of cities and counties bar rodeos on public property or prohibit tools such as flank straps and electric prods—rules that can effectively prevent PRCA-style rodeos within those jurisdictions. Examples include policies in some major Canadian and U.S. cities.
• New Zealand local councils: Several councils have adopted policies refusing rodeo bookings on council land, limiting where events can be held even though rodeo remains legal nationally.

These measures reflect a broader trend: rather than wholesale national bans, governments often target specific events, tools, or venues—altering what a “legal” rodeo looks like in practice.

United States snapshot: legal but localized

In the U.S., there is no federal rodeo statute; instead, a patchwork of state laws and local ordinances governs. Some states mandate on-site veterinarians, incident reporting, and humane-equipment standards; others are looser. A growing number of municipalities restrict traditional events or outlaw certain gear, especially on city property. Meanwhile, marquee rodeos continue in many states under Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and state-level rules, with organizers adapting to local compliance needs.

Canada and Latin America: permitted under regulation

Canada’s most prominent rodeos remain intact, alongside municipal property restrictions in some large cities. Mexico and Brazil, both with strong cowboy traditions, broadly allow rodeo/charreada/rodeio subject to subnational welfare rules and oversight—commonly requiring veterinary presence and imposing limits on certain practices or implements.

Australia and New Zealand: legal frameworks with local vetoes

Across most of Australia, rodeos run under codes of practice; the ACT is the primary outlier with a territorial ban. In New Zealand, rodeo is lawful under national Codes of Welfare, but growing numbers of local councils decline rodeos on public land, pushing events to private venues and prompting ongoing policy debate.

What it means if you plan to host or attend

If you’re organizing or participating in a rodeo, expect to navigate venue-specific rules and local ordinances in addition to national or state law—particularly around veterinary coverage, equipment, and event formats. For spectators, the presence or absence of events like tie-down roping, or the use of specific tools, often reflects local legal requirements rather than the promoter’s preference alone.

Outlook: more incremental change than sweeping bans

Policy momentum in recent years has favored targeted restrictions (on specific events or devices) and venue-based limits (especially on public land) rather than blanket national bans. That trajectory suggests rodeo will remain legal in many regions, but continue evolving under stricter welfare standards and tighter local control.

Summary

Rodeo is still legal in 2025 across much of the world, notably in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and most of Australia and New Zealand. However, a patchwork of animal-welfare laws and municipal policies—ranging from outright bans in places like the UK and Australia’s ACT to targeted prohibitions on specific events and equipment—means the legal status is highly local. Before hosting or attending, check the rules where you are; legality often turns on the precise event format, equipment used, and whether the venue is public or private.

Do they still make rodeos?

And today, the sport retains the fierce independence of the ranch hands of the 1900s who turned work into sport. Nearly 800 contestants enter the California Rodeo each year, vying for more than $300,000 in prize money.

Is the rodeo ban in Los Angeles?

THE LOS ANGELES RODEO BAN
The Ordinance, #20-1575, will effectively ban rodeos in the City of Los Angeles. On December 5, 2023, the L.A. City Council unanimously voted YES in support of the Rodeo Ban, but referred the language back to Committee to be amended.

In what states are rodeos banned?

On the other hand, some events and practices are restricted or banned in other states, including California, Rhode Island, and Ohio. St. Petersburg, Florida is the only locality in the United States with a complete ban on rodeo.

How are rodeos still legal?

The Animal Welfare Act and numerous state laws exempt livestock from protection and hardly any others differentiate between livestock used for food and livestock used for entertainment and exhibition. Therefore, rodeo animals are usually merged under livestock and are afforded little protection.