When the chute gates swing open at this year's Reno Rodeo, one of the sport's most recognizable voices won't be behind the microphone. Legendary rodeo announcer Bob Tallman, whose voice has become a fixture for generations of rodeo fans, will miss the event as he continues recovering from recent foot surgery.
Tallman had originally been scheduled to announce at the 2026 Reno Rodeo but decided to focus on healing and rehabilitation before returning to the rodeo trail.
"Bob has been a tremendous friend of the Reno Rodeo and a favorite among our fans for many years," said Mark Sutton, president of the Reno Rodeo Association. "While we'll miss having him with us this year, we're pleased to hear his recovery is progressing well. We know he'll be back when the time is right, and until then we'll be cheering him on just as our fans will."
A Nevada native, Tallman is a 12-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Announcer of the Year, a National Cowboy and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most accomplished announcers in rodeo history. During a career spanning more than five decades, he has announced the National Finals Rodeo 26 times and is one of the sport's most respected ambassadors.
Fans will still hear from some of rodeo's most accomplished announcers during this year's event. The Reno Rodeo's 2026 announcer team will feature longtime Reno Rodeo announcer Wayne Brooks alongside fellow PRCA Announcer of the Year Anthony Lucia.
Brooks, a five-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, has announced the National Finals Rodeo nine times and has been a familiar voice at the Reno Rodeo for many years. Lucia is the reigning PRCA Announcer of the Year, earning the honor in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He made his National Finals Rodeo debut alongside Brooks in 2025.
The Reno Rodeo runs June 18 through June 27 at the Nevada State Fairgrounds in Reno. Celebrating its 107th year in 2026, the event attracts more than 200,000 fans annually and is considered one of the richest and most prestigious rodeos in the country.
