Calf roping runs in two age divisions:
- Youth Division: 15 and under
- Junior Division: 19 and under
Youth contestants are also welcome to enter up into the Junior Division. Draw positions and run orders post through NextGen Rodeo once the field is set.
What is the WCJR?
The WCJR is the Lazy E Arena’s youth rodeo arm. In 2025 it paid out more than $409,600 across all disciplines, the biggest youth-rodeo purse in the country. For 2026, at least $145,000 in added money is guaranteed, with the total payout again expected to clear $400,000. Champions take home world titles, saddles and prizes on top of the check.
When: tie-down roping schedule
Check-in opens Tuesday, July 7 (8 a.m.–6 p.m.), with the entry office open noon–6 p.m. All tie-down roping runs in Arena Two:
Times are per the official 2026 WCJR schedule and are subject to change; the Buy Back Round opens at 9 a.m. Friday in Arena Two. Confirm against wcjrodeo.com the day of.
Where
Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, Oklahoma. One of the largest indoor rodeo venues in the world, the Lazy E is a competitor favorite for its climate control, roomy boxes and consistently good ground.
How to enter (entries remain open)
Entries opened April 15 and the pre-entry deadline was June 29, but ropers who missed it still have a way in. The Last Chance Qualifier is exactly what it sounds like.
DIRECT ENTRIES REMAIN OPEN UNTIL ONE HOUR BEFORE EACH PERFORMANCE. Enter through NextGen Rodeo at app.nextgenrodeo.com, or in person at the Lazy E entry office (noon-6 p.m., July 7). Calf ropers compete in the Last Chance Qualifier rounds July 8-9 to earn their way into the semi-finals.
WCJR Tie-Down FAQ
Can calf ropers still enter 2026 WCJR tie-down roping?
Yes. Even after the June 29 pre-entry deadline, direct entries through the Last Chance Qualifier stay open until one hour before each performance, via app.nextgenrodeo.com or the Lazy E entry office.
When is WCJR tie-down roping?
Last Chance Qualifier rounds take place Wednesday, July 8 and Thursday, July 9 (Youth 8 a.m., Junior 9 a.m.). The Buy Back Round is Friday, July 10 at 9 a.m., with Semi-Finals that afternoon (Youth noon, Junior 1 p.m.). Finals are Saturday, July 11 at noon.
Where is the WCJR held?
The Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma—one of the largest indoor rodeo venues in the world, with climate control and consistent ground. Tie-down roping runs in arena two.
What are the divisions?
Youth (15 and under) and Junior (19 and under). Youth contestants may also enter up into the Junior Division.
How much money is on the line?
More than $145,000 in guaranteed added money for 2026, with the total payout expected to clear $400,000 across all events, plus world titles, saddles and prizes.
How do ropers qualify for the WCJR?
Three ways: the VRQ leaderboard, a Qualifier Series event, or the on-site Last Chance Qualifier at the Lazy E.
