The 2021 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas returns on December 2 - 11
Howdy Buckaroos and Buckarettes. It’s time to get your cowboy boots on y’all. After 35-straight years of saddling up in Las Vegas, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was moved from Arlington, Texas back to Las Vegas, Nevada. The switcharoo was due to strict COVID-19 protocols.
Over 168,000 fans will fill the Thomas & Mack Center from December 2, 2021 to December 11, 2021. It will be a full house.
National Finals Rodeo Rides Again
“Of course, we’re going to take all the proper precautions, but there’s no intention of scaling back,” said Allen Rheinheimer, general manager of the NFR to the Las Vegas Sun. “I think everything is on track to be one of the better events we’ve ever had.“
Kaycee Feild, who is a champion bareback bone rider, said that the Thomas & Mack Center is incomparable to other rodeo venues as the fans are seated almost right on top of the competitors.
“Las Vegas is its own animal,” said Field to the “Las Vegas Sun,” noting the city’s excitement and energy.
The Rodeo Show
The Wrangler NFR is a once in a lifetime experience and a must-attend event for all. It will be returning to the Thomas and Mack Center, December 2-11, 2021. It marks 36-years the competition has been held in Las Vegas.
The top-15 contenders in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding – based on money earned during the regular season – qualify to complete at the Wrangler NFR.
The Wrangler NFR involves 10 rounds on 10 consecutive days. Champions are determined (based on their total season earnings) at the end of the competition. What they win during the Wrangler NFR is added to what they won before the Wrangler NFR.
The NFR transforms how Vegas feels and looks for 10 days in the month of December. Thousands of rodeo lovers are decked out in Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots, and oversized hats every year. They come up and down the Vegas Strip and visit hotels, casinos, and restaurants like the good ole cowboys and cowgirls did in the past.
Regular folk can have a blast at this event as well. After spending time at the rodeo, you might just turn into a cowboy or cowgirl yourself.
more NFR Events
WOMEN’S BARREL RACING
One of the events to see at this rodeo is the Women’s Barrel Racing. Although the event requires a horse and a team rider to win like the other events, it is not considered an actual team racing event. The women however, have an excellent relationship with their horses. Because of their successful history, they are a team.
Hailey Kinsel and her great mare DM Sissy Hayday (or as people call the horse, “Sister”. They have a track record that is sustainable in Las Vegas. They’ve won the last three world titles. The first two came out of Las Vegas.
From breaking records in the Thomas & Mack Arena Basketball court to the baseball diamond of Globe Life Field, they have seen it and done it all. Kinsel leads the world standings and they are the team to beat once again this year.
MEN’S STEER WRESTLING
There are a great deal of horses that can do very well in the Men’s Steer Wrestling event. Cowboy Jacob Talley leads the world standings and has held his own for most of the year. This past March, Talley won the American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas. He is the only contestant to break $100,000 prior to the NFR and he’s one of the toughest cowboys around. He stays physically fit with a sharp mind, which helps him advance in competitions.
Jesse Brown is right behind Talley and is making his second appearance in the NFR. His debut in Las Vegas starts out with a challenge as Brown will be one of three-men riding Tyson. He currently holds the title as the steer wrestling horse of the year.
Come on and mosey on down to Las Vegas the week of December 2-11 and you’ll be a rodeo expert in no time.
And don’t forget to secure those NFR tickets before riding off into the sunset.
While you’re around town, visit a Rodeo Resorts World during NFR week.
