Professional rodeo action consists of two types of competitions - roughstock events and timed events - and an all-around cowboy crown. Each competition has its own set of rodeo rules and order of events.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the largest rodeo organization in the world. It sanctions events in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with members from said countries, as well as others. Its championship event is the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).