This December, Las Vegas will be transformed into the ultimate celebration of Western culture as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) celebrates its 40th anniversary. From Thursday, December 4, to Saturday, December 13, 2025, the NFR, the world’s wealthiest and most prestigious rodeo, will occupy the Thomas & Mack Center.
Every December, Vegas transforms into a place where Western history, country music, and rodeo legends come together. The NFR is one of the most anticipated events in Western sports because it combines top-tier rodeo action with thrilling audience experiences.
Entertainment Before and After the Rodeo: The NFR Experience
The NFR is renowned for its festival-like atmosphere in addition to its famous rodeo acts. Before and after each performance, fans attending this year’s anniversary celebration may anticipate a range of on-site activations and entertainment.
Fans can take advantage of the free NFR Express Shuttle Bus, which departs from 24 sponsor hotel properties and Pro Fantasy Rodeo’s Cowboy Christmas, for convenient transportation. They will enter a Western paradise as soon as they arrive, which starts just outside the Thomas & Mack Center.
Rodeo Live and the ProRodeo Zone
With the help of partners and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the fun begins at the ProRodeo Zone. The mood of the evening is created by the live music, meet-and-greets, sponsor activations, and fan interaction possibilities in this interactive area.
The Cowboy Channel’s Rodeo Live, which features athlete interviews, celebrity guests, and expert commentary, is at the center of the action. Fans are kept up to date on all the action before the gates open thanks to the show’s live broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+ every evening from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Fan Areas, Music, and Hospitality Inside the Arena
With Wrangler NFR product trailers, food and drink options, sponsor booths, and hospitality spaces great for meeting friends before or after the performance, the StubHub Fan Zone is the perfect gathering place for fans as they enter.
Fans can enjoy a more upscale experience inside the arena at the Strip View Pavilion. The Cowboy Channel Bar, which has a glass-enclosed terrace with a view of the Las Vegas Strip, is part of the 36,000-square-foot space. Fans may also watch live in-arena broadcasts on many large screens and experience a special display honoring 40 years of NFR history.
Cowboy Corral: Where the Party Starts and Ends
The Cowboy Corral is the premier pre- and post-rodeo attraction, and an NFR night wouldn’t be complete without it. There is a dance floor, live music, a full bar, and lots of space to relax in this vibrant venue.
The roster for this year consists of:
The Reeves Brothers (Dec. 4–7)
Gage Gardiner (Dec. 8–10)
Presley Barker (Dec. 11–13)
Live music begins at 4:45 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. On Friday, December 5, Cowboy Corral will also celebrate the sport’s icons with the 4th Annual Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Reception.
Fans can visit the Bull & Barrel Saloon, which is next to Cowboy Corral and is adorned with the NFR Hall of Champions, which honors some of the most memorable moments in rodeo history.
The Main Event: The Greatest in the World Face Off for Gold Buckles
The National Anthem will be performed live each evening, followed by opening acts and the main event, which consists of ten rounds of competition with the top 15 competitors in barrel racing, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, bareback riding, steer wrestling, and tie-down roping.
The PRCA Gold Buckle and a piece of the multi-million dollar prize fund, which makes the Wrangler NFR the most prestigious rodeo in the world, will be up for grabs for these cowboys and cowgirls.
With ten sold-out shows in 2024, the NFR attracted an incredible 170,045 spectators, extending its record of 369 straight sellouts in Las Vegas.
The Wrangler NFR has been a celebration of Western culture, sportsmanship, and the timeless spirit of the cowboy for forty years. It is more than just a rodeo. With endless entertainment, top-tier competition, and life-defining experiences that epitomize the Western way of life, this year’s 40th anniversary is sure to be bigger and better than before.
