Las Vegas, NV (December 8, 2023) – The Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors announced a revised schedule for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® (NFR) due to the tragic events that occurred on the UNLV campus on December 6th.
Originally scheduled to begin on December 7th, the first round of the NFR will now be held on Friday, December 8th at 5:45 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center. The remaining nine rounds will proceed as planned, culminating on Saturday, December 16th.
To accommodate the change, an additional makeup round has been added on the morning of Wednesday, December 13th at 10 a.m. This round will not be open to the public.
Despite the delay, the $11.5 million purse remains unchanged and will be distributed across the ten rounds of competition.
Full refunds for the cancelled performance on December 7th will be issued to season ticket holders by Las Vegas Events. StubHub will directly refund ticket purchases made through their platform.
A moment of silence will be held at the start of Friday’s performance in honor of the victims.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred on Wednesday,” said Las Vegas Events President Tim Keener. “The National Finals Rodeo has been a unifying force in the Las Vegas community since 1985, and we are committed to honoring those lost through our event. We stand together with our fans, the PRCA, UNLV, and the entire community.”
“The PRCA extends its heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families,” said PRCA CEO Tom Glause. “We have worked diligently with our partners to adjust the NFR schedule while honoring the events that transpired. We look forward to bringing our fans together on Friday night and showing our support for this resilient community.”
The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center remains unaffected and continues through Saturday, December 16th. This free public event offers shopping, entertainment, and a festive atmosphere for all ages.
The NFR is a pinnacle event in the professional rodeo circuit, showcasing the top 15 cowboys and cowgirls in the world competing for the coveted World Champion title. This year’s competition promises thrilling action and a display of western heritage.
