When you look back, the history of the Houston Livestock Show’s history has a true 30-year cycle, as seen below. The 2025 event will be the Rodeo’s 23rd year at NRG Park. The lease is up in 2032, which is quickly approaching.

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Each of these facility moves enabled the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to grow and expand. It is now one of the largest scholarship and educational contributors in the country with over $600 million in total educational contributions.

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1930’s

1931: Established the Houston Fat Stock Show & Livestock Exposition

• The event’s original purpose was to increase awareness of the Texas Gulf Coast livestock industry with local, state, and national audiences

1932: First event took place at Sam Houston Hall (present day Hobby Center)

1936: After the event in 1936, the Sam Houston Hall was damaged by fire and the remainder of the Hall was demolished to make way for the new Sam Houston Coliseum

1938: HLSR moved into the Sam Houston Coliseum

• The event was held at Sam Houston Hall / Coliseum for nearly 30 years; the space had a capacity of 9,200

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1960’s

1961:  Re-named to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

1966: The event moved from the Sam Houston Coliseum to the Astrodome

• HLSR built the 500,000 SF air-conditioned Livestock Exposition Building or “Astrohall” and donated it to Harris County

**The Rodeo has called NRG Park home for more than 50 years. In fact, we are the only original tenant at the park

1968: HLSR added four additional acres to the Astrohall (additional space for exhibits and meeting rooms).

• The 170,000 SF air-conditioned addition was donated to Harris County

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1970’s

1971: the Rodeo loaned the Houston Sports Association $2 million to help it maintain operations at the complex

1973: HLSR added two acres (86,000 SF) to the Astrohall for additional exhibits, sale arenas and administrative offices

• These additions also were donated to Harris County.

1974: First BBQ competition

1975: The 6,000-seat Astroarena is completed

• This complex provided a 6,000-seat show arena, two attached buildings for horse stalls, an equipment storage area, and a year-round maintenance shop.

  • The arena was donated to the citizens of Harris County, lien-free

• HLSR purchased approximately 16 acres of land at the corner of Main and Fannin and deeded it to Harris County for Astroarena and related parking

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1980’s

1980: HLSR added approximately 1.1 acres (48,000 SF) of buildings to the east and west ends of the Astrohall (the ballrooms and the Super Sale Salon).

• This addition, like many others, was donated to Harris County.

1983: HLSR added additional square feet to the Astroarena in a partially funded project by the Houston Sports Association and Harris County

 

1990’s

1991: An additional 4.8 acres in the Astroarena results in committee volunteer meeting rooms, a club, a restaurant, auction arenas and additional space for commercial exhibits. The Rodeo and Harris County shared the cost of this additional construction

1995: The Rodeo built and funded a 40,920-square-foot warehouse addition and donated to the citizens of Harris County

1999: Harris County begins construction of new parking lots on the west side of Kirby Drive

• Houston becomes the home of the new NFL franchise, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo moves forward with Houston NFL Holdings and Harris County to contribute funding to build a new football/rodeo stadium.

 

2000’s

2000: Groundbreaking ceremonies are held in March for the new 70,000 seat, retractable roof RODEOHOUSTON/NFL stadium

• In June, groundbreaking ceremonies celebrate the beginning of construction for the 1.3-million-square-foot Harris County Exposition Center

• In October, NRG acquires naming rights for the Astrodome Complex.

  • The renamed NRG Park includes NRG Astrodome, NRG Arena, NRG Hall, NRG Center and NRG Stadium

2002: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo personnel move into new Rodeo offices on the second floor of the new NRG Center

• Astro NRG Hall is demolished, and the site paved for parking

• NRG Stadium opens with the first Houston Texans pre-season NFL football game on Aug. 24

2003:

• The 71st Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo celebrates its first year in its new homes: NRG Stadium and NRG Center

• Deeded 7.4 acres (parking) on McKnee and Kirby to Harris County

 

2010’s

2019: Economic Impact Report is conducted in 2019

• Economic impact: $227 million

• Economic Activity: $391 million

• 5,133 total jobs supported in Greater Houston

 

2020’s

2024:  Economic Impact Report is conducted in 2024

• Economic Impact: $326 million

• Economic Activity: $597 million