Cowboys derby at Riders Field raises $126,000 for North Texas charities

More than $126,000 from the Dallas Cowboys’ annual derby at Riders Field will flow to North Texas charities, with $80,000 earmarked for The Salvation Army of North Texas and the rest spread across 13 other nonprofits in the region. For organizations that help families facing housing instability, emergency expenses and basic-needs gaps, the check carries immediate practical value far beyond the spectacle of Cowboys players swinging for the fences.

The 13th annual Reliant Home Run Derby turned the Frisco ballpark into a free, public gathering on May 14, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and the competition running from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. No advance tickets were required, and the first 1,000 fans received a free Reliant Home Run Derby bucket hat. The evening also doubled as the Cowboys’ schedule unveiling, giving the event a bigger draw than a typical charity showcase.

Jake Ferguson was the day’s standout, winning the derby after hitting 22 home runs. Reliant said his charity of choice, the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation in Arlington, received a separate $10,000 donation. The Cowboys’ lineup also included Bryan Anger, Brandon Aubrey, DeMarvion Overshown, Dak Prescott, Luke Schoonmaker, Trent Sieg, Tyler Smith, Terence Steele and Sam Williams, with select members of the team’s incoming rookie class and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders signing autographs for fans.

The event’s local character went beyond the Cowboys brand. A student from The Salvation Army’s Gene and Jerry Jones Family Youth Education Town in Arlington threw out the first pitch to Sam Williams, tying the night directly to one of the region’s best-known service organizations. Reliant customers also got access to an exclusive pre-event autograph session, another sign of how the fundraiser blends corporate sponsorship, fan access and charity.

The derby has become a durable fixture in Frisco’s sports calendar because it produces both attention and cash. Reliant said the 2026 event pushed its total charitable support since 2012 past $1.2 million, while the Cowboys say the derby has raised more than $1 million for The Salvation Army and local charities over the years. Last year’s event raised $113,700 for 22 North Texas nonprofits, and the 2024 derby brought in $145,000, underscoring how this springtime gathering keeps turning celebrity appeal into dollars for local causes.