The K-State Rodeo is held every February in Kansas State's indoor Bilbrey Family Event Center! The K-State Rodeo is also one of the largest student-run events on campus!
If you’re driving past the Manhattan Fire Department on Denison in early February and happen to see a few four-legged athletes calmly using the crosswalk, don’t worry—you’re not imagining things. It’s just another sure sign that one of Manhattan, Kansas’s most beloved traditions is back: the K-State College Rodeo.
A Tradition like no other, the K-State Rodeo in Manhattan, KS
Rodeo may not be the first thing people think of when they hear “college sports,” but the K-State Rodeo Club has been a big deal for more than 75 years here at Kansas State University. It blends grit, tradition, and Wildcat pride in a way that feels uniquely Manhattan.
For many years, historic Weber Arena hosted this event, but this year, the K-State Rodeo will be held in its new home. The Blibrey Family Event Center is a state of the area facility at Kansas State University. As K-State and Manhattan look ahead to the future with the new Bilbrey Event Center, which will bring expanded opportunities for events, concerts, and competitions, the memories of Weber Arena remain.
This year’s K-State College Rodeo kicks off Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 pm with competitors traveling in from across the region. The rodeo will host students from schools like Fort Hays State, Colby, Oklahoma, and more to compete in one of the largest student-run events on campus, and continues through the weekend with a full slate of events.
Friday night has traditionally been known as “Pink Night,” raising cancer awareness and reminding us how much heart this event has beyond the arena dirt. Saturday offers two chances to catch the action, with a 1 pm performance and an evening rodeo starting at 7:30 pm.
Come see the Bilbrey Family Event Center in MHK and cheer on the Cats!!
Tickets are required for the K-State Rodeo in Manhattan, KS, and this year it’s especially important to plan ahead. Tickets will not be sold at the door, and they will NOT be sold at local businesses like in years past. You must purchase them online, here on Eventbrite!
Whether you’re a longtime rodeo fan or experiencing a college rodeo for the first time, this event is pure Manhattan magic. The students involved put in an incredible amount of work, and it shows in every detail, from the competition itself to the community spirit that fills Weber Arena each night. If you go, I’d love to see it—be sure to tag @purpleiriseverywhere and the K-State Rodeo Club in your photos and videos on social media. Most importantly, have fun, soak it all in, and cheer on the Cats as they keep one of Kansas State University’s most iconic traditions alive.
