Today's news from the HLSR announced that this year's attendance actually exceeded the population of the city of Houston, with more than 2.5 million visitors!  Altogether, there were 28,000 volunteers that helped run the rodeo this year.

The one-day total attendance record was set Saturday March 16 with 174,507 visitors.

The most attended paid concert this year was the performance by George Strait, Martina McBride and the Randy Rogers Band.  This concert set a new all time high record, for any event in Reliant Stadium, with 80,020 people!

No entry fees were required by any of the cowboy contestants, and altogether $1.68 million in prize money was given away to rodeo athletes.  Each champion received at least $50,000, a RODEOHOUSTON trophy saddle, and a champion buckle.