The Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has become rodeo’s ultimate game-changer. Since its debut in 2023, this $1 million playoff has redefined the end of the regular season—turning dreams into reality for some athletes and crushing hopes for others.

Only 12 athletes per event earn an invite, and the format provides plenty of moneymaking opportunities: two rounds, a semifinal, then a clean-slate short round for four. Every ride, every run, carries life-or-death weight, and a chance to win $10,000+.

This event has already delivered unforgettable storylines. From Andrew Ward and Kollin VonAhn’s 3.9-second run that vaulted VonAhn from No. 21 into the NFR, to Shad Mayfield’s record-breaking dominance, to Emily Beisel sweeping all four rounds in 2023, the Governor’s Cup has rewritten rodeo history in just two short years.

In 2025, the drama is even bigger. Will Jacob Lees pull off another last-second miracle? Can Ky Hamilton extend his scorching run in bull riding? And which bubble athletes will punch their ticket to Vegas when everything’s on the line?