What would it take to turn RayJay into a rodeo? As it turns out, 100+ trucks of sand, 50-60 animals, hundreds of showhands, a massive stage, 76 cowboys, and one Devin White parading the Lombardi trophy around the field on horseback.

That's just a snippet of how organizers plan to transform the Bucs' home for the Hondo Rodeo Fest on Friday, Feb. 26 to Sunday, Feb. 28. It's the latest expansion for the rodeo-music-Western culture festival.

Around 50,000 fans should pack the stadium to watch the "all-star competition showcasing the best athletes and stock in pro rodeo" compete in eight competitions for a sum $1 million in prize money. After the animals head off stage – presumably to bed — attendees will stomp on the field to watch the newly announced lineup play on the former rodeo field:

Night one: Cody Johnson and John Pardi
Night two: Nickelback and Dexter and The Moonrocks
Night three: Jason Aldean and the Red Clay Strays

Beyond the ropin' and rockin' in the stadium, attendees can also expect a massive street fair, complete with activities like a mutton busting show for kids.

Browse all kinds of Western flair at the Street Fest. | Image via HONDO Rodeo Fest

Leaders expect the three-day event to bring in millions in economic impact to the Tampa Bay area — as the same festival brought in millions to the state of Louisiana. For example, travelers book out around 2,750 hotel rooms, said James Trawick, CEO of The Hondo Rodeo Fest, with 40% of attendees coming from out of state.

Tampa and organizers started work to bring the festival to the Cigar City in 2024, and the goal is to stay here for a very long time, Trawick said.

"I think it's going to have more than an economic impact," added Eric Hart, president of the Tampa Sports Authority. "It's going to have a social impact, which I think is much more important for the growth of the sport here in the state."

Tickets go on sale Aug. 26, and prices start at $50 and go up to $200 for first-row seats. Or, if your company has the coin for a box, those get folks spittin' distance of the action for $75,000-100,000.

And yes, Mr. White, who is "quite the cowboy," according to Mayor Castor, may actually take the field, but we'll have to wait and see.