Your Ultimate Guide to the 2026 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas
What's New for NFR 2026
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo returns to the Thomas & Mack Center from December 3 to 12, 2026, marking its 41st year in Las Vegas. Every performance starts at 5:45 p.m. Pacific time, and the city fills with watch parties, gift shows, concerts and some of the best Western fashion you will see all year. Here is what has changed since last season and what my clients should know before they pack.
Planning to go this year? The rodeo starts on December 3, and rooms near the action get harder to find every week from here. If you want help booking a stay at the Flamingo, a shuttle hotel or a package with tickets, contact me through Solstice Curations and I will send you current availability for your dates. I will also update this post during NFR week with schedule changes and new events, so bookmark it and check back.
Tickets moved to AXS. AXS became the exclusive ticketing partner for both primary sales and official resale this year. Single balcony seats have a face value of $130.50, and the popular NFR Access ONLY ticket returns at $80 a night. Access ONLY gets you inside the arena and all of its fan areas, although it does not include a seat.
The Cowboy+ Bar is the new name inside the arena. The former Cowboy Channel Bar has been renamed and now offers extra seating, a saloon and a 2,500 square foot glass balcony with views of the Strip. It also hosts Western Sports Roundup daily at 3:30 p.m. and a new exhibit honouring the Vegas NFR Icons.
A fresh field of first time qualifiers. Several cowboys and cowgirls are making their first trip to the Finals this year, and some of them arrive near the top of the world standings. The purse is more than $14.2 million, and the NFR is contracted to stay in Las Vegas through 2035.
New places to play. Golden Gate is opening the new Downtown Golden Saloon, Circa is hosting nightly Rooftop Rodeo afterparties, and the Rio is bringing back its free Rio Round-Up with a special concert by Tracy Lawrence. Vanderpump Hotel also opened on the Strip in June 2026, right beside the Flamingo, which gives my Flamingo guests a brand new spot to explore just steps from their room.
Where to Stay: The Flamingo and Hotels with NFR Shuttle Service
The Flamingo has been the most booked hotel among my own clients, and it is easy to see why. It sits in the centre of the Strip, it is within walking distance of watch parties, concerts and autograph sessions, and it usually offers better value than its luxury neighbours. One thing to know is that the Flamingo is not an official NFR Express stop. Flamingo guests simply walk next door to the Harrah's Bus Depot and catch the free shuttle from there.
The free NFR Express shuttle is the easiest way to reach the arena. Buses leave each official hotel about every 15 minutes from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and return from 8:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. There is no service while the rodeo is running. Parking at the Thomas & Mack Center costs $30 per vehicle each night and is very limited, and walking from the Strip is not recommended.
Centre Strip
Harrah's: Board at the Bus Depot (Route 7). This is the closest stop for Flamingo guests.
Horseshoe Las Vegas: Board at the North Tour Lobby (Route 7). This is the closest stop for Paris and Planet Hollywood guests.
Caesars Palace: Board at the Tour & Travel area (Route 6).
Treasure Island: Board at the bus curb on Mystere Dreams Avenue (Route 6).
South Strip
MGM Grand: Board at the main entrance (Route 2). This is the closest stop for Excalibur guests.
Park MGM: Board at the north entrance by the Uber lot (Route 3).
Mandalay Bay: Board at the Beach Level entrance (Route 12). This is the closest stop for Luxor guests.
North Strip
Fontainebleau Las Vegas: Board at the north valet entrance (Route 5).
Resorts World: Board at the rideshare lot beside the main entrance (Route 11).
The STRAT: Board at the west entrance (Route 11).
Off Strip
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas: Board at the main entrance just past the porte cochere (Route 12). This is the closest resort to the arena.
Westgate: Board at the East Tower entrance (Route 5).
Rio Las Vegas: Board at the Convention Center entrance (Route 8).
Palms: Board at the main entrance (Route 8).
Gold Coast: Board at the valet entrance (Route 8).
The Orleans: Board at the valet entrance (Route 4).
South Point: Board at the main entrance outside the porte cochere (Route 14).
Silverton: Board at the main entrance (Route 14).
Sam's Town: Board at the back entrance behind the food courts (Route 13).
Downtown
Circa: Board at the Garage Mahal (Route 10).
Golden Nugget: Board at the Casino Tower entrance (Route 10).
Plaza: Board at the Main Street curb at Carson Avenue (Route 10).
The D Las Vegas: Board at the valet entrance on Carson Avenue (Route 9).
Downtown Grand: Board at the valet entrance (Route 9).
From Cowboy Christmas
Las Vegas Convention Center: Board at the South Halls east entrance (Route 1). This route runs one way to the arena only.
Routes and times can change, so I always tell clients to check the NFR app on the day. If you prefer a rideshare, the pickup and drop off area is the Scarlet Lot just south of the arena.
Hotel offers worth knowing about for 2026
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is the closest resort to the arena and is running an NFR 2026 offer with a $50 dining credit when you book with code NFR2026.
Circa is an official hotel sponsor and home of the Steer Wrestlers, with 15% off stays through its Saddle Up for a Wild Ride promotion.
Caesars Palace, Harrah's, Horseshoe and Planet Hollywood are offering an extra 10% off NFR stays through Caesars Rewards, subject to availability.
Rio Las Vegas is an official shuttle stop with free parking, and it has offered rodeo fans discounted rates with food and beverage credits through partner codes.
As always, ask for the total with resort fees before you confirm, because NFR week is one of the most expensive weeks of the year in Las Vegas.
Cowboy Christmas: What's New and Exciting This Year
Cowboy Christmas celebrates its 40th year in Las Vegas in 2026 with a new presenting sponsor, two new daily shows and a hunting and outdoor expo under the same roof. The show runs December 3 to 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Halls, open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and admission is free. More than 350 exhibitors will fill over 500,000 square feet with custom jewellery, boots and spurs, Western wear, furniture, original art and home goods.
What's new in 2026
Texas Precious Metals is the new presenting sponsor for 2026 and 2027.
Acoustic Hour presented by Levi's opens the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage at 10 a.m. each day.
Mic Drop, an all new show with rodeo clown and barrelman Matt Merritt, starts at noon.
Variety Show is a new closing act on the stage at 2 p.m.
RMEF's Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo is co-located upstairs in the South Hall, which makes this a great stop for the hunters on your gift list.
Daily stage schedule on the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage (Level 2, east end)
Time | Show |
10 a.m. | Acoustic Hour presented by Levi's (new) |
11 a.m. | Conserving Country with Shane Minor and Garrison Allen |
Noon | Mic Drop with Matt Merritt (new) |
1 p.m. | Storme Session with Storme Warren |
2 p.m. | Variety Show (new) |
Returning favourites
Cinch Cowboy Commons in the east lobby on Level 1 is the place to meet friends, with Tito's Rodeo Saloon, NFR merchandise and live podcasts on the Cinch Stage.
Cowboy Christmas Village on Level 2 has a candy cane wall, snow globes, photo spots and Santa from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day.
Bites & Brews on Level 2 offers food and drink carts when you need a break.
The YETI Junior NFR takes place in the Wrangler Rodeo Arena, a tented arena across University Center Drive in the Platinum Lot with seating for more than 900 fans. As a rodeo mom, I think it is a must see for families travelling with young riders.
My insider shopping tips
Go early, between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., because most visitors are still sleeping off the night before. The opening days are usually calmer than the final weekend, and weekday afternoons are quieter as well. Bring a small rolling bag, because you will buy more than you planned. If you are heading to the rodeo afterward, the free NFR Express runs one way from the South Halls east entrance straight to the Thomas & Mack Center. The Las Vegas Monorail also stops right at the Convention Center.
Every NFR Gift Show: Official and Independent
Cowboy Christmas is the only official gift show of the NFR, although five more Western shopping events run across the city during rodeo week, and every one of them is free to enter. The independent shows are not run by the NFR, but they all appear on the official NFR events calendar.
Show | Location | Dates and hours |
Cowboy Christmas (official NFR gift show) | Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls | December 3 to 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
RMEF's Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo (inside Cowboy Christmas) | Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall upstairs | Same as Cowboy Christmas |
Cinch Western Gift Show (independent) | South Point Exhibit Hall | December 1 to 13, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Stetson Country Christmas (independent) | Rio Las Vegas | December 3 to 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Roper Cowboy Marketplace (independent) | Horseshoe Las Vegas | December 3 to 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Downtown Christmas Expo (independent) | Plaza Hotel & Casino | December 3 to 12, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
What makes each one worth the trip
Cinch Western Gift Show opens two days before the rodeo and stays open the day after, which makes it perfect for early arrivals and late departures. More than 150 vendors sell shirts, jeans, hats, boots, belts and buckles.
Stetson Country Christmas has an entire ballroom of clearance merchandise and a Roper warehouse with factory direct pricing on boots, jeans and outerwear, so go early for the best sizes. It also has stages with daily interviews featuring rodeo athletes and country celebrities.
Roper Cowboy Marketplace at the Horseshoe is the closest show to the Flamingo, just across the intersection. A free shuttle runs between the Horseshoe and Stetson Country Christmas at the Rio, so you can shop both in one day.
Downtown Christmas Expo is the only gift show downtown. It offers free parking when your purchase is validated at the expo, the Longhorn Saloon and the Cattlemen's Lounge for anyone who would rather sit than shop.
Downtown also has smaller pop ups this year, including a new curated shopping event at Golden Gate on December 3 and 4 and a Shop & Sip at Circa's Legacy Club.
Meet the Contestants: 2026 Autograph Sessions
The official Wrangler NFR autograph sessions run every day from Friday, December 4, through Friday, December 11, except Sunday, December 6. Every session runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., is free and open to the public, and works on a first come, first served basis. The contestants leave promptly at 1 p.m., so arrive early if you want to reach the front of the line.
Date | Contestants | Location |
Fri, Dec. 4 | Barrel Racers | Golden Nugget, The Grand Event Center |
Sat, Dec. 5 | Tie Down Ropers | MGM Grand, The District |
Mon, Dec. 7 | Team Ropers | The LINQ, Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar |
Tue, Dec. 8 | Steer Wrestlers (21+) | Circa, Underhang Bar |
Wed, Dec. 9 | Bull Riders | Treasure Island, Gilley's Saloon |
Thu, Dec. 10 | Bareback Riders (21+) | Park MGM, The Reserve Bar |
Fri, Dec. 11 | Saddle Bronc Riders | Resorts World, Wrangler Dawg House |
The Tie Down Ropers session is in The District near the Grand Garden Arena entrance. At the Steer Wrestlers session, a specialty cocktail earns you a raffle ticket for limited edition merchandise.
More chances to meet rodeo royalty and champions
Miss Rodeo America hosts a Fashion Show Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and an autograph session at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, December 4, both in the South Point Grand Ballroom. Check ahead for luncheon tickets.
The nightly Go Round buckle presentations at the South Point Showroom honour each round's winners at 9:30 p.m., hosted by Flint Rasmussen and Joe Beaver.
The Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Reception takes place at 4 p.m. on Friday, December 4, in the Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center.
My autograph tips: Bring a silver or black permanent marker, a program or a hat to sign, and a fully charged phone for photos. If you have little cowboys or cowgirls with you, remember that the Steer Wrestlers and Bareback Riders sessions are 21 and over.
NFR Fashion and Fun
The NFR is the Western world's biggest fashion week, and the secret to packing well is planning two wardrobes: one for the day and one for the night. Daytime is for shopping, autograph sessions and long walks between casinos, so your outfits should be unmistakably Western and comfortable enough to last for hours. Evening is when the glamour comes out for the arena, the watch parties and the concerts.
What we expect to see this year
Statement hats are everywhere, and many are custom shaped or decorated with pins, feathers and hat bands.
Turquoise and silver are layered on necks, wrists and fingers.
Fringe, fur and leather show up in fringed jackets, faux fur coats and suede skirts for cool December nights.
Wild rags and neck ties add colour to a simple denim and button up look.
Luxe boots that are bold and eye catching are paired with mini dresses or premium denim for nights out.
Dress for the theme nights. Each of the ten performances has its own theme, and fans love to dress the part. Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night is the fan favourite, when the arena turns pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Check the NFR app for this year's theme night schedule and plan at least one coordinated outfit.
Practical style tips
December nights in Las Vegas fall into the 40s Fahrenheit, which is single digits in Celsius, so bring a real jacket for shuttle lines and outdoor areas.
Break in new boots before you arrive, because you will walk farther than you think.
Check the arena's clear bag policy before you choose a purse for the rodeo.
Keep your best look for the evening. Outside the arena, brand events and concerts, Las Vegas still looks like Las Vegas, and that is part of the fun.
Fun beyond the arena
NFR week is about more than the rodeo. Golden Gate's new shopping event and Circa's Shop & Sip are perfect for a girls' afternoon, Cowboy Christmas has free entertainment all day, and autograph sessions let you meet the contestants. The Team Ropers are signing at Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar inside The LINQ on Monday, December 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which is an easy walk from the Flamingo. NFR fans meet the top Steer Wrestlers on December 8 at the Underhang Bar in Circa's sportsbook.
Watch Parties, Concerts and Other Things to Do
You do not need an arena ticket to feel the NFR, because resorts across the city host free watch parties every night. These are the ones I am recommending to clients this year.
Rio Round-Up at Rio Las Vegas returns December 3 to 12 from 4 p.m. at the Rio Event Stage in Masquerade Village, with the live telecast, country music, Western games and giveaways. Tracy Lawrence will play a special one night concert during NFR week.
Vegas Cowboy Central at South Point offers free viewing parties throughout the resort and the nightly Montana Silversmiths Go Round buckle presentations at 9:30 p.m. from December 3 to 11, hosted by Flint Rasmussen and Joe Beaver. South Point also has free parking and a free rodeo shuttle.
Downtown Las Vegas brings the new Downtown Golden Saloon at Golden Gate, viewing events at Circa's Legacy Club and nightly Rooftop Rodeo afterparties.
Westgate, Virgin Hotels, The Orleans and Treasure Island continue to be popular watch party spots, and every one of them is also an NFR Express stop.
Concerts during NFR week
Date | Artist | Venue |
December 4 and 5 | Dierks Bentley | BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau Las Vegas |
December 5 | Rascal Flatts | The Colosseum, Caesars Palace |
December 10 and 12 | Thomas Rhett | The Colosseum, Caesars Palace |
One night during NFR week | Tracy Lawrence | Rio Las Vegas |
Free and low cost favourites
The Fremont Street Experience has free light shows and live music every night. The Bellagio Conservatory's winter display is free and especially beautiful in December. Window shopping at The Forum Shops and the Grand Canal Shoppes costs nothing, and the people watching during NFR week is half the fun.
Budget Tips and Booking Hacks
Use the free shuttles. The NFR Express saves you the $30 nightly parking fee and the surge prices on rideshares.
Ride the Deuce or the Monorail. The Deuce runs along the Strip and downtown around the clock, and the Monorail stops right at the Convention Center for Cowboy Christmas.
Stay Sunday to Thursday when you can. Weeknight rates drop noticeably, even during NFR week.
Join the casino rewards programs before you go. MGM Rewards, Caesars Rewards and Boyd's B Connected often unlock room offers, even for first time members.
Pack a travel kettle. Many Strip rooms do not have coffee makers, and a kettle with instant coffee can save you $30 to $50 a day.
Choose watch parties over cover charges. Free parties come with live music and drink specials, and you may end up sitting beside a contestant.
Looking Ahead to 2027
If you are already dreaming about next December, now is the time to plan. Cowboy Christmas has confirmed Texas Precious Metals as its presenting sponsor again for 2027, and the NFR is contracted to stay in Las Vegas through 2035. Event calendars currently list the 2027 Finals as starting Thursday, December 2, 2027, although I recommend waiting for the official schedule before booking flights. Rooms for NFR week fill months in advance, and prices can double or triple if you wait until the fall.
Ready to Book Your NFR Trip?
The rodeo starts on December 3, which is only a few weeks away. Rooms near the Strip get harder to find and more expensive every week from now until opening night, so this is the time to lock in your plans. Whether you want the centre Strip location of the Flamingo, the convenience of a shuttle hotel or a full package with tickets and transfers, I can help you put it together. Contact me through Solstice Curations, and I will send you current availability for your dates.
I will be updating this post throughout NFR week with schedule changes and new events, so bookmark it and check back before you head out each day.
For official schedules, tickets and updates, visit NFRExperience.com.
Comments