An iconic venue in the Heart of the Bay Area, the Cow Palace Arena & Event Center is synonymous with the Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show & Rodeo.
Promote and showcase a variety of entertainment and events to serve the needs and reflect the cultural diversity of the community. Conduct annually a unique event, The Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show, & Rodeo, and continue to encourage youth participation in the agricultural industry. Provide a well-managed, year round multi use facility for the use and enjoyment of the Bay Area and surrounding communities.
"Its official name is: "No. 1-A District Agricultural Association, Division of Fairs & Expositions" is more commonly known as the Cow Palace. Breaking ground on November 3rd, 1935, the Cow Palace opened on April 1, 1941 with the first show being the Western States Holstein Classic Show & Sale. Later that year, the 1st Grand National Livestock Expo, Horse Show & Rodeo took place on November 15th and a few days later Pearl Harbor was attacked. The newly built structure was rented by the Federal Government for the next 5 years to house troops embarking for combat in the Pacific. The Cow Palace has welcomed over 50 million visitors and hosted an array of entertainment from political conventions to professional wrestling to sold out concerts."
