For nearly eight decades, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo has been woven into the fabric of our community at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. Since the late 1940s, generations of families have gathered on these grounds to celebrate agriculture, western heritage, livestock traditions, and the values that continue to shape Texas. What began with the vision and generosity of Joe and Harry Freeman has grown into one of San Antonio’s most cherished traditions, welcoming approximately 1.5 million visitors annually to the Freeman Coliseum grounds.

When Joe and Harry Freeman donated this land, their hope was to create a place dedicated to agriculture, livestock, education, and opportunity for future generations. Today, we remain deeply committed to honoring that vision while building a future that continues to serve our community for decades to come.

As San Antonio has grown, so has the Rodeo. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, we are now positioned to expand in ways that strengthen our mission of supporting Texas youth while advancing the agricultural, western, and livestock industries that are at the heart of who we are. Every investment we make is rooted in our commitment to scholarships, grants, educational programs, and opportunities that positively impact students and families across Texas.

As one of Bexar County’s longest-standing tenants, we believe the time is right to invest in the future of the Freeman Coliseum campus and San Antonio’s East Side. Our proposed enhancements are designed to modernize and revitalize the grounds while preserving the history and purpose that make this place so meaningful. Through improved infrastructure, upgraded facilities, expanded event capabilities, and enhanced gathering spaces, we envision a year-round destination that can host community events, entertainment, livestock exhibitions, agricultural experiences, and family-focused programming for generations to come.

Just as importantly, this vision represents an opportunity to continue building up San Antonio’s East Side, an area rich in culture, history, and community pride. We believe these investments can help generate meaningful economic growth by attracting more visitors, increasing tourism, supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and bringing renewed energy to the area. With the potential future relocation of the San Antonio Spurs to a downtown arena, we see this as a timely opportunity to further establish the Freeman Coliseum grounds as a vibrant cultural and entertainment destination for both residents and visitors alike.

This vision is about more than buildings and infrastructure. It is about preserving a legacy, honoring the original intent of Joe and Harry Freeman, and ensuring these historic grounds continue to serve as a place where community, agriculture, education, and opportunity come together to benefit future generations of Texans.