About the American Royal

The American Royal, a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, now in its 108th year, celebrates our region’s rich agricultural heritage through competition, education and entertainment.    As a not-for-profit community volunteer based organization, the American Royal raises funds to fulfill its vision and mission though endowments, contributions, sponsorships and event revenues.

As an organization dedicated to youth and education, the American Royal reaches over 20,000 students with educational programs and events yearlong through the American Royal Museum, school tours KALF (Kids Agriculture Learning Fest) and other programs.  The American Royal also grants over $1,300,000 annually in the form of scholarships, competitive prize monies and educational awards.

The American Royal, one of Kansas City’s premier fall events, annually hosts the World’s largest barbecue contest, one of the Midwest’s largest and oldest livestock exhibitions and professional rodeos, prestigious horse shows and  is home of the National Championship Saddlebred horse competition.  The American Royal Rodeo was voted one of the top five rodeos in the country in 2004 by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and was the National Championship horse show was voted best horse show in the country in 2002, by the UPHA (United Professional Horseman’s Association).

During September, October and November, more than 250,000 people attend the American Royal events

The American Royal began in a tent in the Kansas City Stockyards as a national Hereford Show.  This show has grown into the annual American Royal Livestock show drawing  owner/breeders, future business and agriculture leaders (high school and collegiate) and animal enthusiasts from a 33 state region. 

The first American Royal horse show was added in 1907, and has grown to include five shows (Quarter Horse, Hunter-Jumper, Arabian, Saddle Horse and a Youth Show).  The horse shows draw horse-enthusiasts, owners, trainers, grooms and riders nationwide from 36 states and Canada.

American Royal Rodeo events have grown to include a Youth Invitational Rodeo, A PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo and Professional Bull Riding.  The first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeo was added in 1976.  The American Royal PRCA Rodeo was voted one of the top five rodeos in the country in 2004, and the American Royal was honored at the annual PRCA Convention and National Finals Rodeo.  The American Royal annually hosts some of the country’s top music entertainers in conjunction with its rodeo events and has recently presented :  Little Big Town, Charlie Daniels Band, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Trace Adkins, Trick Pony, Darryl Worley and Chris LeDoux.

The American Royal Barbecue contest has continued to grow as a prestigious culinary event and is now nationally known as the largest Barbecue Contest in the world with world-wide competitors attending. 

The American Royal continues as a well-loved Kansas City tradition, supported by the Metropolitan Business Community, Nationally recognized sponsors and a 900+ membership base (American Royal Governors), who represent a cross section of the Kansas City Metropolitan community.