Las Vegas Events and Cowboy Revival announced today the list of Opening Acts for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The annual showcase is scheduled for Dec. 1-10 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Each of the entertainers will perform prior to the rodeo competition getting underway and will include a variety of production elements, including pyrotechnics, lasers, interactive stage and full-arena LED and video board supporting graphics. All Opening Acts are presented by Cowboy Revival.

The full list of Opening Acts includes:
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Vegas Night
Friday, Dec. 2 – Luke Bryan (also performing at The Theatre at Resorts World on Dec. 2, 3, 7, 9 and 10)
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Lainey Wilson (also performing at Rodeo Vegas at The Mirage on Dec. 2)
Sunday, Dec. 4 – Adrian Brannan (Memorial Night)
Monday, Dec. 5 – Chancey Williams (also performing at the South Point Showroom on Dec. 1-3)
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Ben Gallaher (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 6)
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Steve Amerson (Military Night)
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Joe Nichols (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 9)
Friday, Dec. 9 – Heath Sanders (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 10)
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Gold Night in Vegas

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

The Golden Circle of Champions, in conjunction with Las Vegas Events, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Red Bluff Round-Up, Santa Maria Elks Rodeo and Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, announced today that it will honor 20 children and their families fighting life-threatening cancer during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo? in Las Vegas.

Founded in 2016 in conjunction with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, the Golden Circle of Champions was conceived to raise awareness and provide funds to help those children in need. Each year, families are honored during the opening night of the rodeo. Through donations and fundraising efforts, support is provided directly to the families to fulfill their most urgent needs: paying bills, buying medicine and caring for their family.

What started at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo is now making its way to Las Vegas to continue the vital mission of the Golden Circle of Champions. Ten local Las Vegas families along with 10 families chosen from PRCA-sanctioned rodeos from across the country will be treated like champions at rodeo-themed activities in their honor. Each of the 20 families in attendance will include a child between the ages of 6 and 14 years of age who has been diagnosed with life-threatening cancer or associated illnesses.

While in Las Vegas during the Wrangler NFR, the children and their families will be honored at the Golden Circle of Champions Banquet at the Tuscany Suites & Casino on Sunday, December 4 at 11:30 a.m. PT. The children will have an opportunity to dine with rodeo champions, receive special gifts and learn about the sport of rodeo. That evening, all honorees will attend the Wrangler NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“The Red Bluff Round-Up Association is excited to again partner with the Golden Circle of Champions during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas,” said James Miller, general manager of the Red Bluff Round-Up. “We, at the Red Bluff Round-Up, continually strive to make a positive impact in our community. It is phenomenal to see so many sponsors, rodeo committees, volunteers and Wrangler NFR contestants joining forces in this opportunity to make these kids, who are facing such a devastating disease, feel like the true champions they are. I am looking forward to witnessing the smiles on these kids’ faces as they enjoy such an incredible experience.”

“Our goal is to bring education and awareness, locally and nationally, to pediatric cancer and offer a ray of hope to the families that are navigating through this difficult journey. They desperately need our help as a community, and we want to let them know we are here for them,” stated Golden Circle of Champions Founder Tina Tonascia. “Our Team at the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo feels it is our job to continue to tell their stories about pediatric cancer, in the hopes that one day we will be able to make a difference. Being able to partner with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and the Tuscany Suites and Casino to bring these families, contestants, committees and sponsors together is a huge stepping stone to achieving that goal.”

“We are so grateful and thrilled to once again be associated with the Golden Circle of Champions in 2022,” said Jeffrey R Gordon, president/CEO of Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. “This means so much to the children that are honored through this amazing event. We will be forever grateful to the NFR, Las Vegas Events, Wrangler and all those who make this day one of the most special days in our children’s lives who are battling cancer and life-threatening illnesses. The love and compassion that is shown by so many is absolutely spectacular and truly makes our hearts smile.”

For more information about the Golden Circle, please visit GoldenCircleofChampions.com.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest Pro Rodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Las Vegas Events announced today that the NFR Access ONLY Ticket will be returning in 2022. The NFR Access ONLY ticket will provide access to the Thomas & Mack Center, but not a seat. It provides access to all the experiences at the NFR – Cowboy Corral, Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit, Bull & Barrel Saloon and ProRodeo Zone – and then allows you to watch the rodeo in the designated areas.

An NFR Access ONLY ticket, available for $70 (including all fees), is available today at noon PT. When rodeo fans purchase an NFR Access ONLY ticket, they will have multiple entertainment options to enjoy. For more information on the NFR ticket click here.

“The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has been sold out for more than 340 consecutive performances, so we wanted to provide another opportunity for rodeo fans to experience the spectacle and excitement of the event at the Thomas & Mack Center,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “There are so many ways to enjoy the NFR Experience on-site, and we invite fans to explore this ticket option.”

The opportunities to enjoy the Wrangler NFR experience are abundant at the Thomas & Mack Center. Rodeo fans with an NFR Access ONLY ticket will be greeted by ProRodeo Zone and the StubHub Fan Zone which include sponsor tents, live music, the official ProRodeo and Wrangler NFR merchandise trailer, food and beverage options, video screens and tables for attendees to congregate.

When rodeo fans enter the building, they will have access to all of the arena activations, including both the Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit and Cowboy Corral. Upgraded again in 2022, Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit will feature a saloon and a 2,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed balcony with Strip views. The Cowboy Channel will host their Pre-Show starting at 5 p.m. prior to each night’s performance. An additional highlight will be an all-encompassing exhibit detailing the 36-year history of the NFR in Las Vegas. The saloon would be a great place to take in the live broadcast of the rodeo each night as it will include a large-screen projection.

Meanwhile, on the arena’s southeast side opposite Aces High, fans can enjoy all the activities and amenities of the returning Cowboy Corral, which takes over the adjacent Cox Pavilion with live music, a huge bar and plenty of space to sit and relax or kick up your heels. The live entertainment will include pre and post-event performances by Will Jones (Dec. 1-3), Dillon Carmichael (Dec. 4-6) and Ben Gallaher (Dec. 7-10). Doors open at 4:30 pm and the live music starts at 4:45 pm.

Sitting right outside of Cowboy Corral is the Bull & Barrel Saloon, featuring its own bar and food service and the Hall of Champions with tributes to former NFR champions.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com and  NFR Las Vegas and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest PRORODEO news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

World Standings courtesy of the PRCA. For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit nfrupdates.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

In the world of rodeo, luck of the draw works in multiple ways. Sure, the stock you’re assigned to ride or rope or wrestle is key. The order in which you compete can be a factor.

And for multi-day rodeos, the day you compete can make a big difference. Tie-down roper Ty Harris can vouch for that.

On Thursday morning at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo, Harris made his two runs. The first was a relatively nondescript 10.0-second effort. Harris was significantly faster catching his second calf, a solid 8.6-second effort.

“The first round, I had to run my calf a little bit,” said Harris, 24. “The second round, I had a great calf. I didn’t get in the way of myself, and I got a good time. It worked out.”

But there were still several good cowboys awaiting their two rounds, competing Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So Harris tempered his expectations.

“After I rode out of the arena, I told my dad I was probably gonna win fourth in the average, with the quality of the ropers still competing – a good field and good calves,” he said. “But I didn’t know the weather was gonna be bad.”

Indeed, Thursday’s contestants got the better of Mother Nature during the four-day rodeo.

“It rained the next three days, when everybody else roped. I was fortunate to get to rope in good conditions,” Harris said. “Rodeo doesn’t get canceled or delayed. No matter what the weather, rodeo happens.”

In the end, Harris’ first-round run was good for a seventh-place tie and a modest $346. His stronger second-round run was good for a fourth-place tie and another $1,400 or so. And when both runs were added up, well, he wasn’t fourth in the average. Rather, he was first with a total time of 18.6 seconds, nearly a second ahead of second-place Jared Parke (19.4).

That led to another $3,410 for a total cash out of more than $5,100. As such, the three-time Wrangler NFR qualifier stayed well on track for a fourth straight Vegas trip. Harris is currently seventh in the tie-down world standings, with $51,777 so far this year.

“This is by far the best start I’ve ever had. It feels really good. I’ve been blessed to run a lot of great calves in the winter and spring,” he said, before giving a deserved nod to his trusty steed, Spiderman. “I’ve got a horse that puts me in position to win every time I’m in the box. I feel very confident, because I know what he’s gonna do.
“I just need to keep getting out of the barrier good, roping the neck, giving myself chances.”

Other winners at the $167,094 rodeo were all-around cowboy Jared Parke ($4,052, tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Keenan Hayes (85.5 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Miss Major); steer wrestler Jace Melvin (10.5 seconds on two head); team ropers Jake Cooper/Sid Sporer and Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler (5.0 seconds); saddle bronc rider CoBurn Bradshaw (*89.5 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Spring Plantin); barrel racer Taycie Matthews (17.73 seconds); breakaway roper Samantha Fulton (2.7 seconds); and bull rider Ky Hamilton (88.5 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Billy Hell). * Arena Record

Courtesy of PRCA: Main articles

Las Vegas Events announced today that it has launched this year’s mobile application for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®. The early edition app provides valuable information for ticket holders, as well as access to the latest news and information.

The 2022 early edition app includes the My NFR Account feature which allows fans to access their account 24/7. Through their mobile device, fans can view and add tickets to digital wallets, buy and sell their tickets directly through StubHub, the Official Fan to Fan Marketplace of the Wrangler NFR.

The current edition of the NFR App includes the following five main features:

The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas – Contains info about the official gift show of the Wrangler NFR;
YETI Junior World Finals – Prepare for the ten days of action inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena;
News, Blogs & Happenings – Follow our stable of bloggers, sign up for push notifications, check in on the NFR Extra Podcast, connect with fans and friends via social media and stay up to date on the Wrangler NFR;
Sponsors & Partners – Connect to all of our key sponsors and supporters;
My NFR Account & Tickets – Complete 24/7 access to a fans ticketing account allowing them to manage their tickets, buy and sell tickets or transfer tickets at their leisure.

The NFR Experience Mobile Application is free and available on all platforms. For more information, please click here.

The second edition of the NFR App will launch in October and include all schedules, entertainment around town, What’s Hot and additional elements.

The Wrangler NFR, which is scheduled this year at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10, will have a record-setting competition payout of more than $10.9 million.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit nfrupdates.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Las Vegas Events announced today that the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will see an increase in the payout at the world’s largest rodeo in December for the second consecutive year.

The Wrangler NFR scheduled this year at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10, will have a record-setting competition payout of more than $10.9 million. This amount includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for all NFR qualifiers and $9,700,098 in competition prize money.

Between 2015 and 2020, the NFR paid out a total of $10 million – $8.8 million in competition prize money and $1.2 million in guaranteed prize money to qualifiers. The total purse increased to $10,257,048 in 2021.

Based on the updated purse in 2022, the increase will see round winners take home $28,914 per round and average winners earn $74,150. Each go-round will pay a total of $93,270, while the average total will pay $279,811 per event.

The stock contractor pay – which is 30% of the contestant payout – increased to $3,270,030.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR TV coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association announced in a press release that the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping will take place at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nov. 29-30.

The Top 15 breakaway ropers will compete for prize money of $250,000 during the two-day, 10-round performance.

“I’m pleased to see the continued success and growth of breakaway roping since the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “Breakaway roping has experienced rapid growth and it is now featured at over 300 PRCA rodeos annually. This success has resulted in an increase of prize money at the NFBR to reach $250,000.”

The 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is Dec. 1-10 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Jimmie Munroe, WPRA president, also is excited for the 2022 NFBR.

“The WPRA is looking forward to the National Finals in the Women’s Breakaway Roping being held at the South Point Hotel and Casino during the the PRCA Convention,” Munroe said. “So many committees are having breakaway roping at their rodeos and now they along with fans will have the opportunity to see the best women breakaway ropers in the world compete at the South Point.”

The South Point Hotel, which is a hotspot for contestants and visitors during the Wrangler NFR, is glad to be the event venue for the 2022 Wrangler NFBR.

“We are thrilled to host the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center,” said Ryan Growney, General Manager of the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. “When Paula and Michael Gaughan built the South Point, they created a place that Cowboys and Cowgirls could call their home away from home – we call it Vegas Cowboy Central. With the addition of the Breakaway Finals, we’ll call it Vegas Cowgirl Central, and it will be an amazing addition to all of the other events and activities held at the South Point during those first two weeks in December.”

The 2020 National Finals Breakaway Roping took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in conjunction with the NFR and Jackie Crawford captured the inaugural world championship. Last year the NFBR took place in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino and was won by Sawyer Gilbert.

Courtesy of PRCA

As the days go on the field of competitors is narrowing itself down at RodeoHouston. Two Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers punched their tickets to the semifinals in Super Series 2.

Tie-down roper Tyler Milligan and bull rider Trevor Kastner both finished in the No.1 qualifier spot for the Super Shootout next week.

Milligan locked up his spot with two round wins with a pair of 7.8 and 7.9-second runs. It’s a place he’s felt comfortable roping at over the years.

“I really like that rodeo, it seems to fit me pretty well when it comes to my roping style,” said Milligan, 24. “It’s a longer box and it fits my style a little better. I drew great calves the entire time I was down there, so I just tried to stay out of my own way.”

The Pawhuska, Okla., cowboy’s last trip to the Wrangler NFR was in 2020. He said indoor winter rodeos can set you up for a successful season if you can take advantage of the opportunity in front of you.

“If you can have a good winter, it can definitely set you up to make the Finals that’s for sure. It’s a lot easier taking off in the summer when you have a little bit of money won,” he said.

“It not only puts a little something in your pockets to travel, but it can provide confidence to a guy as well to keep it rolling.”

Trevor Kastner is another cowboy that hopes his recent stretch of success has his 2022 ProRodeo season pointed in the right direction. The veteran bull rider is sitting 21st in the latest PRCA | RAM World Standings but could see his spot in the standings rise after qualifying for the Houston semifinals.

“Just staying on was the main reason (for my success) and getting my bulls rode down there I guess,” said Kastner, a six-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “In these rodeos where you have to qualify if you can stay on, you’re probably going to advance because you’re going against eight or 10 guys instead of the normal 60 at a full-on rodeo.”

Kastner won Round 1 with an 84-point ride on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Jack Hammer, then followed that up with a second-place finish in Round 3 to earn $5,000 in the Super Series. He plans to carry his same mentality into next week’s semifinal.

“It’s one of those deals where you just have to find a way to stay on three more,” he said. “That includes the semifinals, the short round, and then the final four round.

“I’m the type of guy where I try to have the same mentality every time, whether you’re riding for $1,000 or $50,000. Just go out there and do your job and try to stay on your bull.”

You can catch the semifinal action and the remainder of Rodeo Houston video highlights on The Cowboy Channel and the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, March 9-19.

The inaugural NFR Playoff will play a bigger role than ever when it pays out $1 million the second weekend of September.

The NFR Playoff will take place at the Puyallup Rodeo at the Washington State Fair, Sept. 8-11, and will crown the champions of the season-long NFR Playoff Series presented by Pendleton Whisky. The $1 million payout just before the PRCA regular season ends on Sept. 30 will play a key role in catapulting athletes into the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

“We are proud to have the NFR Playoff as a part of the storied Puyallup Rodeo and it will offer a great payout for our athletes and crown NFR Playoff Series champions,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “It will also play a huge factor in helping them secure berths for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.”

The Top 23 competitors in each event from the NFR Playoff Series Standings – plus each winner from the NFR Open powered by RAM, July 13-16, in Colorado Springs, Colo. – will compete for their share of $1 million in Puyallup.

“We’re really excited about partnering with the PRCA to be the NFR Playoff,” said Jeff Hogan, chairman of the Puyallup Rodeo Committee and 2022 president of the Washington State Fair. “We’re excited to host this $1 million finale. After coming out of the pandemic, we see this as something very exciting for our community and for the Washington State Fair.”

The Washington State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the United States with more than one million people attending annually.

In addition to bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding, breakaway roping will be held at the NFR Playoff.

“All eyes will be on this event at the end of the year with NFR berths on the line,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “We are excited to have breakaway roping included with equal money and can’t wait to see all the action play out in this unique environment alongside the Washington State Fair.”

The NFR Playoff will air on The Cowboy Channel and stream on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App. For more information, visit cowboychannelplus.com.

The ProRodeo season concludes Sept. 30. The Top 15 athletes in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in each event will qualify for the 2022 Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge.