Royal Rodeo Relocates

Officials with the American Royal Rodeo have changed the location and dates this year for the annual event in Kansas City, Mo., because of scheduling conflicts.

The rodeo will be at the 5,000-capacity Hale Arena Sept. 28-30. Last year it was held at the 18,000-capacity Sprint Center in late October but concerts with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna are already booked for that time frame.

Concerts this year will feature local and regional bands instead of major artists. Previously, Reba, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Pat Green performed to smaller-than-expected audiences.

The event, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, is the last major stop on the rodeo circuit before the national finals in Las Vegas and reportedly draws about 80,000 attendees each year.