Mississippi

Dixie National Rodeo 2026: Your guide to shows, concerts, parade, more

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2026

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Dixie National Rodeo 2026: Your guide to shows, concerts, parade, more

The 61st annual Dixie National Rodeo will take place in Jackson, Mississippi, from Feb. 2 with livestock event and Feb. 13-22 for rodeo events, concerts.
Rodeo shows and concerts, featuring artists like Tanya Tucker and Joe Nichols, will be held in the Mississippi Coliseum.
Other events include the Dixie National Parade, a marketplace, an outdoor expo, and livestock competitions.
The Sale of Junior Champions provides scholarships for young 4-H and FFA competitors.

Every year, the Dixie National Rodeo takes over the fairgrounds in Jackson, bringing rodeo shows, livestock competitions, a marketplace, an outdoor expo and more.

The festivities for the 61st Dixie National Rodeo begin on Feb. 2 and conclude on Feb. 22.

A full schedule is available on the Dixie National Rodeo website.

Rodeo shows

Where: Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St.

Rodeo shows will take place in the Mississippi Coliseum up to twice a day from Feb. 13 to Feb. 21, with a break on Monday, Feb. 16, and Tuesday, Feb. 17.

The Dixie National Rodeo, dubbed the “Greatest Show on Dirt,” will return with familiar favorites, including bull riding and calf roping.

Admission prices range from $25 to $50, with children under 18 months getting in free.

Tickets are available for purchase on the day of the shows at the Coliseum or in advance online through the Dixie National Rodeo website and Ticketmaster.

Following are the dates and times of this year’s rodeo shows:

7 p.m., Feb. 13
2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 14
2 p.m., Feb. 15
7 p.m., Feb. 18
2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 21

Concerts

Where: Mississippi Coliseum, 1207 Mississippi St.

The concerts in the Mississippi Coliseum that follow each rodeo show have featured big names in the past, including Morgan Wallen, Little Big Town and more.

Country music icon Tanya Tucker will perform at the 61st annual Dixie National Rodeo along with other long-time country favorites and some up-and-comers.

Following is the concert lineup for the 2026 Dixie National Rodeo:

Ole 60: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb.13
Bayker Blankenship: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14
Joe Nichols: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15
Tanya Tucker: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18
Waylon Wyatt: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19
Muscadine Bloodline: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20
Mark Chesnutt: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21

Tickets are separated by concert and also include admission to the accompanying rodeo show. Concerts start right after each rodeo show.

Dixie National Parade

Every year, the Dixie National Parade helps kick off the rodeo festivities. Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson will lead the procession of antique cars, floats, marching bands and the Dixie National Wagon Train.

The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 on the corner of Mississippi Street and Jefferson Street and follow a mile-long route ending at the corner of Amite Street and Jefferson Street.

This year, the parade’s theme is “For Love of Country,” which corresponds with America250, a nonpartisan celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Guests are encouraged to wear red, white and blue.

Dixie National Marketplace

Where: Mississippi Trade Mart, 1200 Mississippi St.

Before enjoying the rodeo shows, visitors can browse a multitude of vendors selling cowboy Western wear, leather goods and even tractors in the Mississippi Trade Mart.

The Dixie National Marketplace will open for the first weekend of the rodeo.

Following is the Dixie National Marketplace schedule this year:

12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 13
10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 14
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 15

Ag and Outdoor Expo

Where: Mississippi Trade Mart, 1200 Mississippi St.

During the second weekend of the rodeo, the Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo will take over the Trade Mart.

The largest outdoor expo in the state, this year’s display will include fishing and hunting tools, UTVs, ATVs, tractors, farming equipment and more at special pricing.

The Mississippi Ag and Outdoor Expo will be open in the Trade Mart during the following dates and times:

12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 20
10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Feb. 21
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 22

Sale of Junior Champions

The annual Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions is a way for young livestock competitors to show off their skills and potentially win scholarships.

Last year, 1,941 animals were exhibited by 1,269 4-H and FFA youth competitors, according to the Dixie National Rodeo. Of those animals, 49 were sold, totaling $591,284.

Since 1993, the Sale of Champions Promotion Committee has awarded more than $1.27 million in total scholarship money. Last year alone, 39 scholarships, a total of $85,000, were awarded.

Various shows will take place during the rodeo. A full schedule and rulebook are available on the Dixie National Rodeo website.

Scholarships will be presented during a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Feb. 12 in the Mississippi Trade Mart.

Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com

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Where is Lipscomb? Mississippi State baseball’s opponent in Starkville Regional

Published

9 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

Where is Lipscomb? Mississippi State baseball’s opponent in Starkville Regional

Mississippi State baseball is facing Lipscomb in the first game of the Starkville Regional in the NCAA Tournament on May 29 (1 p.m., ESPN+).

The Bulldogs (40-17) are the host and No. 14 national seed, and Lipscomb (29-24) is the No. 4 seed in the regional. It is the fourth time they’ve played each other this season, with MSU sweeping a March series at Dudy Noble Field.

Here is what to know about Lipscomb University.

Where is Lipscomb University?

Lipscomb is a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. It is about a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Starkville.

Lipscomb University mascot

Lipscomb’s mascot is the Bisons.

What conference is Lipscomb in?

Lipscomb is in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Lipscomb University enrollment

According to US News, Lipscomb has an undergraduate enrollment of 3,006 students and a 68% acceptance rate.

Lipscomb baseball coach

Jeff Forehand is Lipscomb’s baseball coach. He’s in his 20th season and has led Lipscomb to all four of its NCAA Tournament appearances in program history.

Starkville Regional schedule in 2026 NCAA baseball tournament

All games at Dudy Noble Field; double elimination format; game times in Central

Friday, May 29

Game 1: Mississippi State vs. Lipscomb, 1 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2: Cincinnati vs. Louisiana, 6 p.m. on ESPN+

Saturday, May 30

Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m., TBA
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m., TBA

Sunday, May 31

Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m., TBA
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., TBA

Monday, June 1

Game 7 (if necessary): TBA

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Can Mississippi State softball avoid WCWS elimination vs Texas? Our prediction

Published

21 hours ago

May 28, 2026

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Can Mississippi State softball avoid WCWS elimination vs Texas? Our prediction

OKLAHOMA CITY — Hoping to extend its season, Mississippi State softball will play No. 2 seed Texas in its second game at the Women’s College World Series.

The Bulldogs (43-20) will take on the reigning NCAA champion Longhorns (47-12) on May 29 (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park. The loser of the game will be eliminated from the tournament.

Mississippi State made it WCWS debut by falling 8-0 to No. 11 seed Texas Tech in five innings. Texas lost its opener 6-3 to No. 7 seed Tennessee.

Here’s what to know about the matchup.

Texas’ Katie Stewart was SEC’s Player of the Year

Texas’ Katie Stewart was selected as the best player in the SEC during 2026 and helped the Longhorns to a conference title. Stewart, catcher Reese Atwood and pitcher Teagan Kavan were named a second-team NFCA All-American.

Stewart ranks third in the SEC in batting average (.428), fourth in RBIs (72) and second in home runs (27) and on base percentage (.551).

Stewart was ineffective in the Longhorns’ WCWS loss to Tennessee. She went 0-for-3, striking out once and grounding out twice.

Atwood, who’s hitting .337 with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs, fared better against the Lady Vols, finishing 1-for-3 and scoring a run.

Texas’ Teagan Kavan has struggled in recent outings

Teagan Kavan (24-6, 2.54 ERA) has been one of the top pitchers in the nation in each of her three seasons at Texas, but she hasn’t quite looked like herself in some recent appearances.

Kavan started Games 1 and 2 of the super regionals against Arizona State and allowed 11 hits and six runs with four walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. She recovered to shut the Sun Devils out despite allowing five hits in Game 3.

Kavan again started for the Longhorns against Tennessee. Her outing lasted three innings and she gave up three hits and three runs.

Citlaly Gutierrez (9-3, 2.38 ERA) is Texas’ primary reliever and has appeared in four of the Longhorns’ seven NCAA Tournament games. She threw four innings vs. Tennessee, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

Does Mississippi State have an ace up its sleeve?

Mississippi State elected to start Alyssa Faircloth (16-8, 2.61 ERA) in its WCWS opener and use Peja Goold (15-11, 2.45) in relief. Faircloth threw just 1⅓ innings, while Goold pitched for three.

Both could be options for the game against Texas, or Mississippi State could turn to breakout star Delainey Everett (3-1, 0.69 ERA).

Everett’s lone start this season was against Oklahoma in Game 3 of the super regionals. She gave the Sooners their first shutout since 2019 and held them to three hits.

Everett pitched four innings in Game 2 of last year’s regular season series against Texas. She gave up one run on two hits with four strikeouts in four innings as the Bulldogs’ starter in the 7-3 loss.

Mississippi State softball vs Texas WCWS prediction

Texas 3, Mississippi State 2: Even if the Bulldogs’ pitching staff can limit Texas, MSU’s offense seems to have cooled down considerably from its showing against Oklahoma in the super regionals.

2026 Women’s College World Series schedule

All times CT

May 28
- Game 1: Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0
- Game 2: Tennessee 6, Texas 3
- Game 3: UCLA vs Alabama (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 4: Arkansas vs Nebraska (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
May 29
- Game 5: Mississippi State vs Texas (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 6: Game 3 loser vs Game 4 loser (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
May 30
- Game 7: Texas Tech vs Tennessee (2 p.m., ABC)
- Game 8: Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner (6 p.m., ESPN)
May 31
- Game 9: Game 5 winner vs Game 8 loser (2 p.m., ABC)
- Game 10: Game 6 winner vs Game 7 loser (6 p.m., ESPN2)
June 1
- Game 11: Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (11 a.m., ESPN)
- Game 12 (if necessary): Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (1:30 p.m., ESPN)
- Game 13: Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 14 (if necessary): Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
June 3
- Finals Game 1 (7 p.m., ESPN)
June 4
- Finals Game 2 (7 p.m., ESPN)
June 5
- If necessary, finals Game 3 (7 p.m., ESPN)

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

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Schedule for Gulf Breeze alum Leila Ammon, Mississippi State in WCWS

Published

1 day ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

Schedule for Gulf Breeze alum Leila Ammon, Mississippi State in WCWS

Check out how to watch the Gulf Breeze alum, who is part of a history making Mississippi State squad.

The Women’s College World Series begins May 28 in Oklahoma City.
Gulf Breeze alumna Leila Ammon is a pitcher for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Mississippi State is making its first Women’s College World Series appearance in school history.
The Bulldogs are the only unseeded team to advance to the WCWS this year.
Ammon has an 8-0 record this spring with a 1.85 ERA and 62 strikeouts.

The Women’s College World Series begins May 28, and the Pensacola area will be represented on the biggest stage.

Gulf Breeze alumna Leila Ammon is part of a Mississippi State squad making its first WCWS appearance in school history and has played a role in getting the Bulldogs there.

Below is how to watch Ammon play if you aren’t in Oklahoma City, as well as how Ammon is part of history at Mississippi State.

How to watch Mississippi State in the WCWS

When: May 28-June 4/5

Where: OG & E Energy Field at Devon Park, Oklahoma City

Broadcast: ABC and ESPN

Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo

Mississippi State will open up against Texas Tech on May 28 at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN. With a win, the Bulldogs will play the winner of Tennessee/Texas on May 30 at 2 p.m. CT on ABC. With a loss, they’ll play the loser of Tennessee/Texas in an elimination game on May 29 at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.

The last two teams standing will advance to a best 2-out-of-3 championship series scheduled for June 3-5 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. Check this page for more information on the WCWS bracket and schedule.

Mississippi State lost to Texas Tech twice in the Lubbock regional a year ago.

How did Mississippi State make history?

The Bulldogs are the only unseeded team out of eight in the WCWS field, which means they’re the only team in the field to have to win on the road in a regional and super regional to advance to Oklahoma City.

Mississippi State was ranked No. 13 in the NFCA poll on March 29, putting them in good position to host a regional with a strong finish to the season. The Bulldogs did the exact opposite, losing four of their last five regular season series.

But they flipped a switch in the NCAA Tournament. First, Mississippi State rolled through the Eugene regional, winning all three games by a score of 12-2, to advance to just their second super regional in program history.

Up next was a trip to perennial powerhouse Oklahoma in the super regional. However. the Bulldogs weren’t fazed, winning Game 1 of the best two-out-of-three series 11-9. After the Sooners won Game 2 7-1, Mississippi State won Game 3 6-0 to clinch their first ever WCWS appearance.

What role did Leila Ammon play?

While Ammon didn’t pitch in the regional, she helped stop the bleeding in Game 1 of the Super Regional.

She entered in the bottom of the third after Oklahoma had scored five runs in the inning to take a 5-1 lead. Ammon got the final two outs in the inning, then allowed a run in the fourth and pitched a scoreless fifth before being relieved with runners on first and second with two outs in the top of the sixth.

Both runners scored later in the inning, meaning Ammon allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and struck out three in three innings pitched.

Ammon’s gone 8-0 this spring with a 1.85 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings pitched. She spent her freshman season at Middle Tennessee State, where she was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team.

Before her college career, Ammon was the 2023 PNJ Pitcher of the Year and a 2024 First Team All-Area selection.

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