National Finals Rodeo 2026

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National Finals Rodeo

First held in Dallas in 1959 and relocated to Las Vegas in 1985, the National Finals Rodeo has grown into the championship event of professional rodeo, bringing the top 15 competitors in each discipline to the Thomas & Mack Center for ten straight nights of competition. What began as a modest season-ending shootout now crowns world champions in front of sold-out crowds and a multi-million-dollar purse.

Held annually each December, the rodeo runs as ten consecutive go-rounds, with standings shifting nightly as the season’s best cowboys and cowgirls chase the year-end world titles.

Rodeo Highlights:

• Ten Go-Rounds: Each of the ten nights crowns a fresh round winner across every event, keeping the season standings in constant motion.
• Bareback & Saddle Bronc Riding: Two of rodeo’s classic roughstock events, judged on control and spurring technique atop bucking horses.
• Bull Riding: The night’s marquee event, closing the program with the sport’s most dangerous eight seconds.
• Barrel Racing & Team Roping: Timed speed events that bring the arena’s fastest turns and tightest partnerships to the dirt.

Tips for Visitors & Trip Planning:

• Tickets: Seats sell out well before the rodeo begins, especially for the closing nights, so buying early is essential.
• Cowboy Christmas: The rodeo’s ten nights overlap with a citywide trade show and shopping event, so budget extra time beyond the arena itself.
• Getting There: The Thomas & Mack Center sits on the UNLV campus, a short rideshare from the Strip, with event parking available on-site.
• What to Wear: Western wear is part of the fun but not required — comfortable layers work fine, since Nevada evenings turn cool in December.
• Accommodation: Strip hotels fill up fast once the rodeo comes to town, so booking well in advance is strongly recommended.
• Explore Las Vegas: With the Strip just minutes away, it’s easy to fill the daytime hours before each evening’s rodeo — browse top Las Vegas tours and activities here.

The full nightly schedule, ticket tiers, and contestant standings are published closer to the event. See details below, under “Event Related Information” section.