South Australia’s home of horsepower will swap 300km/h for eight seconds of chaos, with The Bend Classic today announcing a full rough stock rodeo will now open the October long weekend festival — the state’s biggest celebration of country music, cars, camping… and now rodeo! The nation’s hardest-riding cowboys and cowgirls and the fiercest bulls and broncs will chase $19,000 in prize money, ringside under lights. Shell V-Power Motorsport Park CEO Alistair MacDonald said the timing was no accident.
“Bull riding is packing out arenas right across the nation and country music has never been bigger — The Bend Classic is where the two collide,” Mr MacDonald commented “We are committed to building our events, while other festivals are shutting down. This is ‘stay and play’ at its best — unforgettable experiences from the minute you pitch up.”
From the first gate swing the excitement starts: the open bull ride, saddle bronc and bareback, the ladies open barrel race at full gallop, the second division stacked with the sport’s rising stars, and juniors under 18 proving the next generation is fearless.
Running the show is 83-year-old Ron Woodall from Woodall Rodeo Promotions, who stages more than 30 rodeos across SA, VIC and NSW every year. Known as one of the best in the business, the patriarch has spent seven decades in the sport — first as a five-event cowboy, then as one of Australia’s most respected promoters and breeders of champion bucking stock.
“Rodeo has been in my blood for more than 70 years and it never gets old. We will bring our best bucking stock to The Bend, and the cowboys and cowgirls will come from everywhere for a crack at the prize money. When the bulls are bucking and the crowd are up on their feet cheering there is nothing like it — and doing it under lights at a racetrack will be something to see,” Mr Woodall commented.
Rodeo royalty runs deep in this family. Ron’s sons Jack and Tony are past Australian and State Champions, and grandson Sam Woodall is fresh from a major victory in Melbourne, where two successful eight-second rides earned him $10,400 and 246 national points, lifting him to fifth in the Australian standings — the family that helped build the sport is still setting its pace.
“Where else can you watch bull riding on Friday night, be line dancing an hour later, then front of stage for Lee Kernaghan and James Johnston the next day? Settle in on
Thursday night and the fun starts first thing Friday,” Mr MacDonald commented.
The rodeo is not the only place serious money is up for grabs. Down BBQ Alley, Australia’s best pitmasters go head-to-head with the winner taking home $20,000 and a spot at the 2027 world championship in Las Vegas.
“There is nearly $40,000 on the line across bulls and barbecues over the weekend,” Mr MacDonald commented.
The main stage runs from 12.30pm to the last encore on Saturday, with James Blundell, Andrew Swift, Robbie Mortimer, Tori Darke and Denvah building the day before the headliners — Kernaghan and Johnston — close it out: seven all-Australian artists spanning three generations on one stage. Kernaghan has called the event “the makings of the Tamworth of the South”. The new Texas Club puts fans ringside at the rodeo on Friday and up close on Saturday, with artist meet and greets* and a private bar with premium hospitality. Beyond the stages there are two racetracks running historic and vintage racing, Nostalgia Drags and the Summit Racing Equipment Dragway Track Championship, a ute muster, whip cracking and a Sunday night drive-in screening of Smokey and the Bandit.
Camping starts from $189 including a three-day pass, across five precincts open from Thursday 1 October to Monday 5 October. The deluxe tents on pit straight have already sold out, and sites across the precincts went quickly in previous years — early booking is advised. Early bird pricing ends this Wednesday, 2 September at 11.59pm. Revellers looking to save are encouraged to lock in now. Three-day GA adult passes provide the best value and are currently $129, but will rise to $149, with concession (currently $119) rising to $139, and kids aged 5 to 15 will remain unchanged at $20. Friday only GA adult passes (currently $35) will rise to $45, with concession (currently $30) rising to $40, and kids 5 to 15 remaining unchanged at $10. Saturday only GA adult passes (currently $99) will rise to $119, with concession (currently $94) rising to $114, and kids aged 5 to 15 remaining unchanged at $10. For a premium experience, Texas Club is the way to go. Friday adult passes, including ringside rodeo seating, are currently $79 and will rise to $99. Saturday adult passes with meet and greets and private bar and facilities are currently $229 and will rise to $249. Make it a three-day package with Friday and Saturday Texas Club access plus Sunday GA access, currently priced at $279 and rising to $299. Campers can set up from Thursday, with gates opening at 8am on Friday 2 October and the rodeo bursting into action from 5pm. Entertainment runs until 11pm, with Old Town Rd Country Dance Party to finish the night.Proudly presented by Burson Auto Parts, The Bend Classic runs 2 to 4 October 2026 at Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend. Tickets and camping are on sale now.