Rodeos bring revenue to Edmond

The Lazy E Arena has brought spectators from around the world and has served the Edmond community since 1984. The Edmond City Council recently passed a one-time budget allocation to attract future events and secure the arena’s spot as the number one destination for national youth rodeos, bringing even more significant financial boosts and support for the local economy.  

Arena amenities 

The Lazy E Arena is nestled between Edmond and Guthrie and has the world’s largest indoor multipurpose arena.

The “E” is different than big-city arenas surrounded by concrete, traffic, and noisy congestion. It has rolling hills, gorgeous stables, and safe play places for families and children, and it has stayed open through COVID. During that time, General Manager Dan Wall welcomed several new events relocating from other cities, including The Bob Feist Invitational Team Roping, National High School Finals Rodeo, All American Futurity Quarter Horse Sales, and a National AKC Dog Show.

“We showed them what they were missing from a rural setting, and participants loved it,” said Dan. “We made them feel like a priority, and now they want to return.” 

Lazy E has attractive amenities, including open floor arena space at more than 160 feet by 440 feet, cattle holding pens for up to 1,200, nearly 7,500 seats, and 320 acres of paved and lighted parking.

Supporting Edmond businesses

Rodeo participants feel welcomed and benefit from a long-time partnership with Edmond. Lazy E works with Edmond hotels and restaurants to provide a home away from home for rodeo contestants and spectators. 

“Rodeo guests stay for an average of 10 days and enjoy Edmond restaurants and shopping in between events,” said Dianetta Ladson, sales manager of Home 2 Suites. “Lazy E rodeos helped Edmond hotels stay open during COVID.”

Over the past 15 years, Lazy E events have generated significant economic impact for restaurants, retail businesses, attractions, hotels, and vacation rentals in the Edmond community. 

The Edmond Economic Development Authority calculated that the top four events in 2022 at Lazy E Arena brought the following revenue:

• Lodging Tax = $376,950 
• State & Local Sales Tax = $2,280,444 
• Total Economic Impact = $41,502,769

Sherri Banister, director of sales for Edmond Conference Center, said, “Edmond benefits from more than room nights. Along with rodeos comes events. The Lazy E Arena has attracted many significant receptions, trade shows, and annual meetings to the Edmond Conference Center.”

It is Edmond’s purest form of tourism because the facility is privately owned. Edmond gets to welcome guests from around the world and benefit from sales tax and lodging tax revenue.

These visitors often return for vacations, move their businesses to Edmond or decide to relocate once they see Edmond’s quality schools and quality of life. 

Expanding future for rodeos

The Lazy E Arena’s vision for the future includes expanding youth rodeos, which draw a crowd. The National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals have been held at the Lazy E for ten years. This seven-day event brings more than 1,400 participants—as well as parents, extended family, and friends—from across the country. 

Lazy E is pursuing two additional extra-large youth rodeo events that will each be no less than ten days in length. These events, the National Junior High Finals Rodeo and the National High School Finals Rodeo, would sign on with a 10-year commitment.

In September 2022, a $45,000 one-time allocation from Edmond City Council was reserved for The Lazy E Arena. The funds will be disbursed when Lazy E signs a contract with the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. 

When this rodeo is secured, Lazy E feels confident the National High School Finals Rodeo will follow. Hosting this impressive trifecta of three national youth rodeos will cement the Lazy E Arena’s status as the Youth Rodeo Capital of the World.