When is the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, and where is it held?

December 3 to 12, 2026: ten straight nights at the Thomas and Mack Center on the UNLV campus, every performance at 5:45 p.m. NFR stands for National Finals Rodeo, the Wrangler NFR in full.

The top 15 money-earners in each of seven events ride for the world titles, and round ten on Saturday, December 12 decides them. Las Vegas has hosted it since 1985, and the contract runs through 2035. The arena is east of the Strip, not on it; free NFR Express shuttles run from partner resorts such as Rio and Westgate every night.

Tickets

• Most of the arena belongs to season-ticket holders.
• Mini packages sold out on their August 13 on-sale day.
• Single sessions are released only from what is left.
• Face value with tax: $130.50 for a balcony single, $522 for the four-day pack, $783 for six.
• NFR Access ONLY, $80: gets you inside without a seat, watching on screens in the saloons with live music around you.

The free side of rodeo week

• Cowboy Christmas: the official gift show at the Convention Center's South Halls, the same ten days, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 375-plus exhibitors, no admission.
• Viewing parties: South Point, Rio, Westgate and The Orleans show every round live for free, often a better night than a $130 balcony seat.
• Concerts cluster on the two weekends: Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Riley Green, Luke Bryan with Jason Aldean at Allegiant, and the Eagles at Sphere on December 4, 5, 11, 12.

Hotel prices double on the first weekend; a past survey found $400 against a $177 December average. If the rodeo is not why you are coming, aim for the second weekend or arrive on December 13.

The bag policy, shuttle routes and the rest are in the NFR week guide.