Premier Women’s Rodeo: A Game-Changer for Women in Sports

This morning, the dirt settled on a deal that changes the landscape of Western sports: Premier Women’s Rodeo (PWR) has officially inked a multi-year agreement with ION and Grit television. It is a ground-shaking announcement that finally gives the ladies of professional rodeo the national stage they’ve earned, effectively ending the era of women’s rodeo as a “secondary” attraction.

Since this is a multi-year agreement, this won’t be a one-off broadcast like the 2020 inaugural Women’s Rodeo Championship. Instead, starting May 11 – 15 during the PBR World Finals, the PWR is making an aggressive move. By embedding themselves into the biggest week in bull riding, they aren’t just asking for viewers; they are hijacking the existing momentum of the sport and demanding a seat at the table they helped build.

The partnership leverages ION’s massive reach of over 126 million households, ensuring that the speed and skill of these athletes are no longer a “niche” secret. This isn’t just about airtime; it’s a calculated strike to prove that women’s rodeo is a powerhouse in its own right.

Just look at the disciplines that will be featured during the PWR: Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, and Team Roping. And new this year? Goat Tying, Bull Riding, and Ranch Bronc Riding are joining the lineup. This will be delivering pure excitement to viewers on ION and Grit—and don’t overlook the over $800,000 purse either. That’s definitely nothing to sneeze at.

But remember, this is a multi-year deal set to scale up in the run-up to 2027. We’re looking at a new original series, PWR: Road to the Championship, slated for Grit. Think of it like the Last Cowboy Standing docuseries—part reality, part high-stakes competition—designed to bring these ladies the national spotlight they’ve deserved for years.

While the entire PWR event won’t air on ION and Grit, the Championship will air on television on Sunday, May 17, at 1:00 P.M. ET. As exciting as the most recent breakaway ropings have been—clocking sub-2.0 second runs or barely over 2.0 seconds—this event should be appointment viewing for everyone.

Get Involved

Don’t just watch history—be there to see it made. If you’re going to be in Fort Worth for the PBR World Finals, you need to be at Cowtown Coliseum to see these athletes live.

• Semi-Finals: Thursday, May 14
• Championship Night: Friday, May 15

• Tickets: Head over to AXS.Com or the Cowtown Coliseum box office to grab your seats before they’re gone.

Don’t be surprised if the Team Roping is just as edge-of-your-seat as their male competitors, either. These ladies are handy with a rope!

To Linsay and everyone who has worked tirelessly to bring the PWR to the national spotlight, congratulations on this announcement. Get the sprinkles—you all deserve them, and as we know, only winners get sprinkles!

Remember to catch the exciting premiere of the PWR on ION and Grit, Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 P.M ET. Don’t blink, you may miss something!