After a controversial inaugural installment this past January and despite pushes to outlaw the event, the San Diego Rodeo is returning to Petco Park in 2025.
Set to take place over three days from January 10-12, 2025, the 2nd annual San Diego Rodeo will feature some of the world's top rodeo athletes competing for a prize pool exceeding $800,000, according to the San Diego Padres. A new addition to this year's rodeo is increased food options, more seating, and daily after-parties featuring popular musical acts, alongside cultural exhibitions from local charros, as seen in the previous event.
The first-ever rodeo at Petco Park in 2024 faced serious opposition, with critics taking the Padres to court, accusing them of violating city regulations by allowing a rodeo to take place at the venue. The Animal Protection League and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) filed a lawsuit against the Padres and C5 Rodeo, the event organizers, arguing that San Diego municipal code bans non-service animals from Petco Park and its surrounding areas. Padres attorney Elaine Harwell countered that the plaintiffs had misinterpreted the code.
Animal Protection and Rescue League, Inc.'s lawsuit against the San Diego Padres contended that C5 Rodeo had previously used electric prods and other devices to shock animals which violates a state law that bans such mechanisms. Local attorney and activist Bryan Pease then filed documents seeking a temporary restraining order against the Padres and C5 Rodeo to stop ticket sales from taking place, claiming the rodeo would be violating San Diego's municipal code by allowing non-service animals at the ballpark. A judge ultimately concluded that municipal codes do not bar the Padres from sponsoring a rodeo inside Petco Park.
The 2024 event prompted a renewed call to ban rodeos in the city, with District 6 Councilmember Kent Lee announcing his intent to introduce legislation to outlaw such events. He has since reduced the intensity of his opposition due to backlash from Native American tribes and concerns related to discrimination of tribal groups. In response, San Diego Rodeo Alliance Chairman Jed Pugsley emphasized the cultural importance of the rodeo and what a ban could mean for the community.
The San Diego Humane Society issued a statement saying it is "deeply disappointed" that the San Diego Padres and Petco Park will host another rodeo following last year. The addressed concerns regarding the safety and well being of the animals involved.
"This new announcement only strengthens our commitment to protecting animal welfare and banning rodeos in San Diego," stated Dr. Gary Weitzman, the Humane Society's chief executive. "Rodeos often involve practices that cause unnecessary harm, fear and distress to animals, violating the basic principles of humane treatment."
Despite ongoing efforts to shut down the San Diego Rodeo and daily protests during the 2024 event, the San Diego Padres decided to bring it back in 2025 and will actually be adding more seating so they can sell a greater amount of tickets. Much like the 2024 edition, the upcoming rodeo is expected to attract protesters who oppose the use of animals in entertainment. These groups argue that rodeos are inherently harmful and exploitative, while supporters maintain that the event is a longstanding tradition that brings communities together. As controversy continues to swirl, it is almost certain that the return of the rodeo will reignite heated debates, with activists likely to make their presence known outside Petco Park once again.
Despite ongoing efforts to shut down the San Diego Rodeo and daily protests during the 2024 event, the San Diego Padres decided to bring it back in 2025 and will actually be adding more seating so they can sell a greater amount of tickets. Much like the 2024 edition, the upcoming rodeo is expected to attract protesters who oppose the use of animals in entertainment. These groups argue that rodeos are inherently harmful and exploitative, while supporters maintain that the event is a longstanding tradition that brings communities together. As controversy continues to swirl, it is almost certain that the return of the rodeo will reignite heated debates, with activists likely to make their presence known outside Petco Park once again.
For more information about 2025 San Diego Rodeo, visit padres.com.
