Every December, Las Vegas becomes a sea of Stetsons as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo rides into town. Known as the Super Bowl of Rodeo, the event brings the top 15 money-earning cowboys and cowgirls in professional rodeo to the Thomas & Mack Center for 10 adrenaline-packed days of competition.
The NFR has been one of Las Vegas’ most beloved annual traditions going back to 1985, even though it couldn’t feel more different from the city’s neon-and-casino reputation. Across 10 go-rounds, athletes compete in events like bull riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and saddle bronc riding, all with world championships and serious prize money on the line. The energy is electric, the competition fierce, and the crowd absolutely loses it for eight-second rides that look effortless but demand everything.
Beyond the arena, the rodeo transforms the entire city. Hotels fill with fans who’ve traveled cross-country, restaurants buzz with post-competition celebrations, and pop-up Western shopping villages and concerts spill across Las Vegas, generating hundreds of millions in economic impact. It’s a full takeover: Boots, buckles and cowboy hats everywhere you look, turning the Strip into an honorary extension of ranch country.
The NFR has expanded Las Vegas’ appeal far beyond its typical demographics. Four decades later, it remains a cultural institution that returns year after year, reminding everyone that this city belongs to more than one crowd.
Thomas & Mack Center. nfrexperience.com
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