The Run for a Million: Everything You Need To Know

Key facts

Genre: Reality-competition special/horse-reining competition
Network: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+*
Release date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Synopsis: The Run for a Million, an elite horse-reining competition from Taylor Sheridan, who also executive produces, and will call the action.

So saddle up your horses, and get ready to witness a heart-pumping competition that shows off the best riders and horses in the country. The two-hour special streams live on Paramount+ for Premium plan subscribers, and is available to watch on demand star Paramount+ting the next day with a subscription to any Paramount+ plan. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about The Run for a Million special: how to watch, premiere date, competitors, and why fans of The Last Cowboy should be excited.

Get Started With Paramount+

How to watch on CBS and Paramount+

You can watch The Run for a Million live on CBS on Saturday, Aug. 22, by tuning in your local CBS station on your TV using a digital antenna, cable or satellite service, live-TV streaming service, or by streaming the show live on Paramount+ (Paramount+ Premium plan) via the Live TV hub. Paramount+ subscribers (any plan) can stream the show on demand on the day after it airs.

Get the tune-in info below:

The Run for a Million special

Premiere date: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
Time: 8-10 PM, ET/PT
Channel: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+*

*The Run for a Million special can be streamed live on Paramount+ as it airs on CBS via the Paramount+ Premium plan, or it can be streamed on the day after it airs via either the Paramount+ Essential plan or the Paramount+ Premium plan.

When does the special premiere?

The Run for a Million premieres Saturday, Aug. 22, from 8-10 PM, ET/PT. The annual reining event is airing on broadcast television for the first time ever on CBS.

What is The Run for a Million?

The Run for a Million is an elite horse-reining competition where 16 highly skilled riders compete by guiding their horses through a pattern of circles, spins, and sliding stops. The rider and horse who shows the most athletic ability wins reining’s highest honor and a $1 million prize.

Where is the special streaming?

The Run for a Million streams live as it airs on CBS on Saturday, Aug. 22, on Paramount+ with a subscription to the Paramount+ premium plan. Starting Sunday, Aug. 23, the special event streams on demand to all Paramount+ subscribers (any plan).

Who is competing in The Run for a Million?

The Run for a Million features 16 riders who compete on the intense professional reining circuit. Competitors are highly skilled reiners who compete in professional reining, and qualified for the Saturday, Aug 22, competition via one of three events from the 2025-2026 show season.

Here is the full list of competitors on The Run for a Million:

Jason Vanlandingham
Andrea Fappani
Kole Price
Casey Deary
Cade McCutcheon
Gina Schumacher
Dany Tremblay
Gabriel Borges
Francesco Martinotti
Ben Beckett
Trevor Dare
Alessandro Frassa
Arno Honstetter
Mirko Miidi
Martin Muehlstaetter
Fernando Salgado

Who is Taylor Sheridan?

Taylor Sheridan is an Oscar®-nominated writer (Hell or High Water), producer, actor, and director who has delivered several hit TV dramas in the past decade that might ring a bell. He is the co-creator of Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, and Landman, creator of 1883, 1923, Tulsa King, Lioness, and The Madison, and executive producer of Lawmen: Bass Reeves and Marshals.

Sheridan created The Run for a Million competition back in 2019 for the CMT reality docuseries The Last Cowboy. He serves as an executive producer of The Run for a Million special event, and will be calling the competition as well.

What is horse reining?

Horse reining is a riding discipline that tests precision, control, and the athletic ability of the horse. During a run, the rider executes a pre-selected, approved pattern of circles, flying lead changes, roll backs, spins, and sliding stops. The judges score each performance based on accuracy, style, and execution.

FAQ

When does The Run for a Million premiere?

The Run for a Million premieres Saturday, Aug. 22 from 8-10 PM ET/PT. The annual reining event is airing on broadcast television for the first time ever on CBS.

How is The Run for a Million connected to The Last Cowboy?

The Run for a Million, the elite horse-reining competition, has been featured at the end of every season of The Last Cowboy. The latter is a CMT series that follows the lives of riders preparing and fighting for a spot in the championship event. This year, for the first time, The Run for a Million is its own TV special, titled, yes, The Run for a Million.

If you want to catch up on past The Run for a Million competitions, you can binge-watch The Last Cowboy on Paramount+ (any plan). All six seasons are available to stream on demand.