RODEOHOUSTON® Announces Multi-Platinum Country Artist Cody Johnson as 21st Star Entertainer for 2026 Rodeo Season
“Over the years, Cody has become a part of our beloved tradition – from captivating thousands year-after-year to recording RODEOHOUSTON’s official brand anthem,” said Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo president and CEO, Chris Boleman. “We are thrilled he is just as honored as we are to return in 2026.”
Johnson is a Texas native and multi-platinum country music artist who has performed at RODEOHOUSTON five times, which includes 2017-2019, 2022 and 2023. His song ‘Welcome to the Show’ debuted in 2019 and was written and recorded to serve as RODEOHOUSTON’s official theme song. Since 2017, Johnson has become a fan favorite with his unforgettable presence on the star stage. His 2023 performance welcomed more than 73,000 fans, and in 2022, he drew in more than 70,500 fans. On March 6, 2024, Johnson surprised Rodeo guests during Jelly Roll’s performance.
Johnson quickly rose to fame, often being called “the future of real country music” and has been decorated as such with a series of industry awards, including the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards Song of the Year for “Dirt Cheap”, CMT Artist of The Year, three CMT Music Awards wins, four CMA Awards including Album of The Year in 2024, and “Best New Country Artist” at the iHeart Music Awards in 2023. “Every performance at RODEOHOUSTON is a privilege and as a Rodeo man at heart, being asked to perform on a special night like this surpasses any of my wildest dreams,” Johnson said. This is the fourth full-length concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Johnson’s performance will be the first since George Strait performed on the final night in 2022. Individual tickets for Johnson’s concert-only performance go on sale to the public on Thursday, August 21.
More information about tickets to Johnson’s performance will be available at RODEOHOUSTON.com in the coming weeks. While the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series will conclude on Saturday, March 21, guests will still have access to all activities across the grounds, such as the Carnival, presented by First Community, Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost, AGVENTURE, presented by Oxy, and shopping and dining inside NRG Center on Sunday, March 22. The remaining 2026 RODEOHOUSTON entertainer lineup will be announced in early 2026.
About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage, and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $630 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2026 Rodeo is scheduled for March 2 – 22. The 2026 World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, presented by Cotton Holdings, is scheduled for Feb. 26 – 28. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com, download the RODEOHOUSTON app and follow @RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.
About Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson has established a following of passionately loyal fans who regularly sell out shows across the country. The artist that media has touted “just might be the future of real country music” has skyrocketed success with numerous celebrated albums: Leather Deluxe Edition, Leather, Human The Double Album, A Cody Johnson Christmas, Cody Johnson & The Rockin’ CJB Live, and Ain’t Nothin’ To It plus an award-winning feature-length documentary “Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story.”
Cody’s #1 single “Dirt Cheap,” written by Josh Philips, was awarded as Storyteller of The Year at the “People’s Choice Country Awards” and Song of the Year at the 2025 ACM Awards. “The Painter” was awarded as the NSAI 2024 Song of The Year for writers Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins. His numerous industry honors include recognition as a CMT Artist of The Year, three CMT Music Awards wins, four CMA Awards including Album of The Year (2024) for Leather, and being named “Best New Country Artist” at the iHeart Music.
His television appearances have entertained fans on the Today Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show and the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in addition to outstanding live tv performances at the iHeart Music Awards, the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, CMT Giants honoring Vince Gill, and the CMT Artist of the Year Special and more.