Crews are hauling in more than 2,100 tons of historic dirt as the Frost Bank Center prepares for the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.
SAN ANTONIO — With the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo just days away, preparations are officially underway at the Frost Bank Center, and the work is anything but clean.
Crews have begun the massive task of bringing in more than 2,100 tons of soil, a key part of transforming the arena floor into a rodeo-ready stage for athletes and animals.
Organizers say the dirt is not just ordinary soil. It’s a carefully crafted blend of sand and other materials designed to provide the best footing and performance conditions for rodeo events.
What makes the soil even more unique is its history.
The Stock Show & Rodeo has been using the same dirt since 1988, when it was originally purchased from near Charlotte, Texas. Each year, the soil is cleaned and reused, a tradition that not only preserves a piece of rodeo history, but also helps save money.
Officials estimate reusing the dirt each year saves the organization about $25,000 annually.
The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo begins Thursday and runs through March 1.