The Wild West Shootout promoter Jason Babyak confirmed that the upcoming 2027 edition of the event will feature bull riding as an exhibition event.

The official Wild West Shootout Facebook page teased that not just bull riding, but a rodeo was coming to the event in January. They wrote, “Bull Riding & Dirt Track Racing!!!!! We had a great meeting at Central Arizona Raceway with PBR Co-Founder & Bull Riding Hall of Famer Cody Custer. So get ready for wild things in January at the Wild West Shootout. Stay tuned for more info.”

Additionally, they shared an image with a graphic that boldly proclaims, “Where Racing & Rodeo Collide”

Event promoter Jason Babyak then confirmed that the event would feature bull riding. He wrote on social media, “Well, cat is out of the bag or should I say, bull is out of the chute! The 2027 Wild West Shootout will once again be breaking barriers as best we know, we will be the first dirt race ever to bring bull riding for the fans as an exhibition, details to follow.”

“Many thanks to Hall of Famer Cody Custer and his team at Next Generation Bull Riding for making this happen,” he added.

Next Generation Bull Riding shared in a press release that it was bringing The Custer Legacy Invitational Competition to the 21st Annual Wild West Shootout on January 15th and 16th. 

“We are very excited to partner with Wild West Shootout,” Said NextGen Bull Riding Founder Denny Count. “Opportunities like this allow us to continue building the future of bull riding while giving the next generation a chance to compete, grow, and experience the sport on a larger stage.”

If you are unfamiliar with Next Generation Bull Riding, the organization’s website explains that it is “a youth-focused bull riding organization built by passionate young riders and guided by experienced professionals from across the country. We are committed to being the first youth-run, membership-based bull riding program, offering an inclusive and supportive environment for athletes of all skill levels.”

The organization has four different age groups for its Youth Bull Riding program. Its events also feature youth barrel races as well as freestyle bullfighters that face down bulls in one-on-one competition.

The Wild West Shootout takes place on January 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, and 17. The opening night is expected to pay $25,000 to-win with the next four races paying $10,000 to-win. The miniseries will culminate with a $50,000 to-win race. Both the opening race and the finale will also pay out $500 for every lap led courtesy of Larry Henk, the owner of Rio Grande Waste Services. Additionally, the series will pay a minimum of $1,000 to start every single race. 

The winner of the miniseries will also pocket a $3,000 points fund with second place receiving $1,500 and third taking home $1,000. There is a total of $10,000 up for grabs for the top 10 in the points fund.

Hudson O’Neal, Bobby Pierce, Brandon Sheppard, Sam Mars, Ethan Dotson, Tyler Erb, Nick Hoffman, Cade Dillard, Dustin Sorensen, Ricky Thornton Jr., Daniel Adam, Jake O’Neil, Justin Duty, Clay Stuckey, Chase Junghans, Laela Eisenschenk, Amelia Eisenschenk, Joey Tanner, Kylan Garner, and Terry Phillips have all been confirmed to attend in 2027.

Hudson O’Neal is the defending champion of the event. He had two wins, five podiums and six Top 10s in the six races. His worst finish was 10th on night three. O’Neal dethroned Bobby Pierce, who had dominated the event the previous two years in 2024 and 2025. Other previous champions include Jonathan Davenport, Mike Marlar, Brandon Sheppard, and Rodney Sanders.

Not only does Pierce have three championships tied with Jonathan Davenport, but he has the most wins all-time in the series with 17.

NEXT: Four-Driver Championship Battle Headlines FloRacing Night In America Weekend Finale