CNFR Pumped $4 Million into Local Casper Economy

“Rodeo lovers from across Wyoming, the region and the country continue to show up in Casper,” said Jim Dewey Brown, the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Commissioner. “There’s a reason CNFR is staying in Casper for the next 10 years and a large part of that is the community support, love of rodeo and hospitality our athletes, teams, families and spectators feel when they come to Casper.”

CNFR directly contributed $4,106,541 to the local Casper economy, with top spending in local businesses that included lodging, transportation, food & beverage, retail and recreation. Plus, there were an additional 27 athletes at this year’s CNFR, for a total of 427 collegiate athletes.

Each year, Visit Casper works closely with NIRA and the Ford Wyoming Center to market CNFR. The organization targets visitor markets through a variety of efforts, including paid advertising, organic social media, newsletter marketing, media outreach and influencer campaigns. Top markets for 2026 attendance included Casper/Riverton, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, Rapid City, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque/Santa Fe. Beyond CNFR, Visit Casper also promotes The Mercantile at Wyo Sports Ranch, events and happenings during CNFR week, shopping small and local, outdoor recreation, local restaurants and more.

“CNFR and Casper go hand in hand,” said Annette Pitts, CEO of Visit Casper. “College rodeo is a tradition in Casper, and we’re honored to be part of the story of rodeo in Wyoming.”

CNFR takes place annually in June, with 427 of the best college cowgirls and cowboys from around the country coming to Casper to compete at the Ford Wyoming Center. Athletes compete in a variety of events, including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying.

Learn more about Visit Casper at www.visitcasper.com.

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About Visit Casper

Visit Casper is the official destination management and marketing organization for Natrona County and is dedicated to enhancing the county’s economic base and improving quality of life through tourism. Casper is Wyoming’s second-largest city and is home to world-class fly fishing on the North Platte River, historic trails and an inviting downtown. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or discover images and content with #VisitCasper.