National Finals Rodeo 2026: Dates (Dec 3 to 12) and Fares

When is National Finals Rodeo 2026?

National Finals Rodeo 2026 is expected to run December 3 to 12, 2026. The dates follow the usual pattern and are not announced yet.

2026December 3 to 12, 2026Expected

2027December 2 to 11, 2027Expected

How the dates are set: The NFR is held each year in the first full week of December, over ten days.

See every event in December 2026

National Finals Rodeo schedule

Early December: The NFR is held each year in the first full week of December at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Ten days: The Las Vegas NFR is a ten-day competition crowning the world champions of rodeo.
Performances: The official performance times page lists the first performance at 5:45 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Events: Fans see bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and barrel racing.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nfrtours.com, nfrexperience.com

Getting to National Finals Rodeo

The rodeo is held at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Where to stay in Las Vegas

Tour operator NFR Tours sells packages of hotel plus rodeo tickets, or tickets alone. Mandatory nightly hotel resort fees are extra and collected by the hotel at check-in.

Source: nfrtours.com

Tickets and cost

NFR Tours sells packages that can be hotel and rodeo tickets, or just rodeo tickets, with flights added on request. Custom rates on other seats and nights are available.

Source: nfrtours.com

History of National Finals Rodeo

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association established the NFR to find the world champion in each of rodeo's main events, and the first one was held in 1959. Team roping was added in 1962 and barrel racing in 1967. Wrangler became the first title sponsor in 2001.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

National Finals Rodeo: questions people ask

Where is the National Finals Rodeo held?

The NFR is held at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. In 2023 the PRCA and the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees agreed to keep it in Las Vegas through 2035.

When is the National Finals Rodeo?

The NFR is held each year in the first full week of December. It is a ten-day competition.

Who competes at the NFR?

The NFR showcases the PRCA's top 15 money winners in each event for the season.

What events are at the NFR?

The events are bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Why is the NFR called the Super Bowl of rodeo?

It is the championship event of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is popularly known as the Super Bowl of rodeo.

Can I buy an NFR travel package?

Yes. NFR Tours offers hotel plus rodeo ticket packages or ticket-only packages, and flights can be added on request.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nfrtours.com

About National Finals Rodeo

Ten days of the best rodeo cowboys and cowgirls competing for world titles at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Known as the Super Bowl of rodeo, the National Finals Rodeo brings the top 15 money winners in each event to Las Vegas for ten days in early December. Bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and four more events decide the world champions. The catch is demand: many fans buy hotel and ticket packages, and resort fees are charged on top.

Know before you go

Packages can be hotel plus rodeo tickets, or tickets only, and mandatory nightly resort fees are extra.
The rodeo is held in the first full week of December.
Harry Reid International (LAS) is the airport for Las Vegas, where the rodeo is held at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.

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