The American Rodeo and its potential $1 million payday is one of the biggest events in Western Sports and it boasts plenty of storylines to match, whether it’s retired legends returning to the arena or past World Champions trying to find a silver lining from their 2024 injuries.

The first step to seven figures, though, is to finish in the Top 5 Friday night to advance to the Round of 10, where the Top 5 from last year’s World Standings are waiting in each event for Saturday’s competition.

It all begins Friday live on Fox Sports 2 at 8:30 PM ET.

BAREBACK RIDING

Cole Franks – The three-time NFR is currently No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings and on his last ride, he was 87.5 points in San Angelo.

Kaycee Feild – Feild, a six-time World Champion, has came out of retirement in hopes of winning The American for the fourth time in his career. The last time he competed at The American in 2023, he was victorious.

Weston Timberman – Timberman finished No. 7 in the PRCA World Standings a season ago, making him a strong contender to potentially be a $1 million winner.

Kade Sonnier – The reigning American Champion is back at Globe Life Field for the first time since his 90.5-point ride on Agent Lynx to win $100,000. This year, he’s eligible for much, much more.

Cole Reiner – Reiner’s last three rides have been 85.5, 87.5, and 88 points and have all come at Texas Swing rodeos. He has thrived competing against the best of the best this season.

Leighton Berry – Berry was another cowboy who just missed out on automatic spot in the Finals after he finished No. 8 in the PRCA World Standings in 2024. Berry won the West Regional Qualifier with 88 points.

STEER WRESTLING

Dalton Massey – No one was better than Massey in the regular season in 2024, but he dropped down to No. 8 in the World during the NFR. The last two years have proved he is good enough to win any rodeo anytime.

Bridger Anderson – Anderson comes into The American on a bit of a heater, his last five runs have been 4.7 or faster and that includes a 3.3 in San Angelo.

Luke Branquinho – Branquinho has not competed professionally since 2021, but the 44-year-old with five Gold Buckles showed he has still got it when he made 4.35-second run to get his spot in the Contender Finals.

TEAM ROPING

Andrew Ward/Paul Eaves – This will be the first time these two have competed as partners at The American, but Ward has won it before, doing so in 2022 with Buddy Hawkins.

Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres – Wyatt/Torres are currently at Top 10 pair in the PRCA World Standings and they have fared well at big rodeos, making the Finals in Denver, San Antonio and Austin.

Erich Rogers/Kollin VonAhn – Both of these cowboys have a Gold Buckle and won has an American title – Rogers won in 2021 with Paden Bray.

Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves – Another pair with winning experience, Travis Graves was the champion of the second American back in 2015. These two enter as the No. 2 pair in the PRCA.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Lefty Holman – Holman finished No. 6 in the PRCA World Standings and enters Friday night with a streak of seven straight rides in the 80s.

Dawson Hay – One of the hottest bronc riders in the World, Hay is ranked No. 3 and his last three rides have all been 85.5 points or more.

Chase Brooks – Brooks is No. 8 in the PRCA World Standings and recently won the Long Round of Rodeo Austin with 87 points on Rafter G’s Cactus Rose

Sage Newman – Since Jan. 26, more than half of his rides have gone for 85 points or more. He also happens to be the defending champion.

Stetson Wright – Back from missing the entire 2024 season, Wright has another chance to prove he is Superman in Boots by winning the $1 million for the first time. He won the bull riding and bronc riding at The American in 2023.

BREAKAWAY ROPING

Taylor Munsell – One of the last times we saw Munsell compete, she won $65,000 for a win at RodeoHouston.

Hali Williams – Williams has also handled the pressure of a Shootout in Houston, winning that rodeo in 2023. She is No. 11 in the WPRA World Standings this season and recently made the Finals of Rodeo Austin.

Lari Dee Guy – With nine WPRA World Titles, she has won just about everything in her career except The American.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Joel Harris – Harris is coming off of a career year in which he finished No. 7 in the World in 2024, narrowly missing out on an automatic trip to the Round of 10.

Quade Hiatt – Hiatt, like Harris, is coming off of his first NFR in 2024. He won the West Regional Qualifier.

Kincade Henry – Henry enters The American No. 3 in the PRCA World Standings and made the second-fastest run of any contender to get here with a 7.41 in the Central Regional.

John Douch – When the time comes, Douch can be one of the fastest cowboys in the World for one run. He has finished in the Top 10 in the World Standings each of the last four seasons.

BARREL RACING

Sherry Cervi – After totaling more than $3 million in career earnings, Cervi is looking to add $1 million more. To get here, she finished second in the West Regional.

Dusky Hall – The youngest competitor in the field at just 11-years-old, Hall bested Cervi, who is almost 40 years her senior in the West Regional.

Jordan Driver – Driver currently leads the Average in San Angelo and is in the midst of a breakout season, ranked No. 17 in the WPRA World Standings.

BULL RIDING

Dustin Boquet – After a slow start to the season, Boquet is heating up having ridden his last two bulls for 87.5 and 87 points.

Ky Hamilton – The 2023 World Champion is quietly up to No. 15 in the World Standings and has ridden three straight bulls for 86 or more points.

Mason Taylor – The 25-year-old is ranked No. 36 in the PBR World Standings, but has opted to go for the $1 million this weekend.