If you’re wondering what time does the NFR start, the answer is key for every rodeo fan preparing for ten thrilling nights in Las Vegas. The 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the crown jewel of professional rodeo, is officially underway at the Thomas & Mack Center. With the best athletes in the world, record-breaking prize money, and nonstop excitement, this year’s event promises to deliver unforgettable moments.
A Legendary Rodeo Returns to Las Vegas
The National Finals Rodeo, known simply as the NFR, is the annual championship of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The 2025 event began on Thursday, December 4, and continues nightly through Saturday, December 13. The competition takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center, one of Las Vegas’ most iconic venues and home to the NFR for nearly four decades.
Each evening’s performance begins at 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time (8:45 p.m. Eastern). Gates open to fans at 4:30 p.m. Pacific, giving plenty of time to explore merchandise booths, grab food, and enjoy the pre-show atmosphere. The schedule stays consistent throughout the ten-day event, making it easy for fans to plan their evenings around the action.
The Ultimate Showdown in Rodeo
Every December, the top 15 competitors in each rodeo event arrive in Las Vegas to compete for world titles and gold buckles. The NFR is where champions are made, reputations are earned, and legends are remembered.
This year’s competition lineup features the sport’s seven classic disciplines:
- Bareback Riding
- Steer Wrestling
- Team Roping
- Saddle Bronc Riding
- Tie-Down Roping
- Barrel Racing
- Bull Riding
Each event showcases a mix of skill, strength, and precision that defines the sport. Contestants collect money and points each night, and by the final round, the overall world champions are crowned based on total season and Finals earnings.
When Each Performance Begins
Every performance kicks off promptly at 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time, with opening ceremonies, flag presentations, and special tributes setting the tone for the night. The action typically runs until around 8:15 p.m., depending on timing between events and the number of re-rides or tie-breakers.
Fans attending in person can expect the arena to open an hour before the first event, allowing time to find seats and take in the lively pre-show entertainment. The Thomas & Mack Center fills to its 17,000-seat capacity nightly, creating one of the most electric atmospheres in professional sports.
Inside the Thomas & Mack Experience
The energy inside the arena is unlike anything else. As the lights dim and the national anthem begins, fans from across the country—many dressed head to toe in Western wear—rise to their feet in anticipation. The atmosphere is a blend of tradition, pride, and raw adrenaline.
Each night, spotlights shine on the sport’s biggest names as they chase record-breaking times and scores. The booming crowd, the roar of the animals, and the tension in every event make each performance unforgettable.
A Closer Look at Each Rodeo Event
Bareback Riding: The night often begins with this high-intensity event, where riders must stay aboard a bucking horse for eight seconds while maintaining form and control. Judges score based on the rider’s technique and the horse’s performance.
Steer Wrestling: Also known as “bulldogging,” this event tests both power and timing. Cowboys leap from a running horse to wrestle a steer to the ground in mere seconds.
Team Roping: A true test of coordination and teamwork, this event pairs two riders—one who ropes the steer’s horns and another who ropes its hind legs. Precision is everything.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Often called the “classic event” of rodeo, this discipline emphasizes grace and style as riders attempt to stay on their horse for eight seconds while maintaining perfect form.
Tie-Down Roping: In this timed event, a cowboy must rope a calf, dismount, and tie three of its legs together as fast as possible. It’s one of the fastest and most technical competitions.
Barrel Racing: Female athletes take center stage in this thrilling race against the clock. Riders navigate a cloverleaf pattern around barrels at top speed, requiring precision and agility.
Bull Riding: The finale of each performance, bull riding delivers some of the most dangerous and exciting moments in sports. Riders must stay on a twisting, bucking bull for eight seconds to earn a score.
Prize Money and World Titles
The NFR features one of the richest purses in professional rodeo, rewarding competitors for both individual event wins and overall season performance. Every round offers payout opportunities, and world champions are crowned at the end of the tenth night based on total combined earnings.
By the time the final bull bucks, millions in prize money will have been distributed among the world’s top cowboys and cowgirls. For many competitors, winning at the NFR represents not just financial success but also a lifelong dream realized.
How Fans Can Watch the 2025 NFR
Those who can’t make it to Las Vegas can still experience every moment through live national broadcasts and streaming coverage. The nightly broadcasts begin at 8:45 p.m. Eastern Time, aligning with the Las Vegas start time. Coverage includes full event footage, commentary, standings updates, and special interviews with competitors.
Each performance is unique, meaning fans tuning in every night get a different lineup of challenges, riders, and results. The competition builds toward the final night, when the best of the best battle for the championship titles.
The Las Vegas Rodeo Experience
The NFR has transformed Las Vegas into a full-scale Western festival. Throughout the ten days, the city becomes the heart of cowboy culture. Beyond the Thomas & Mack Center, fans can attend country concerts, autograph signings, and after-parties across major venues on the Strip.
The Cowboy Christmas market at the Las Vegas Convention Center remains a fan favorite, offering shopping, exhibits, and entertainment from morning to night. The entire city embraces the rodeo spirit, making December in Las Vegas unlike any other time of year.
The Legacy of the NFR
Since its inception in 1959, the National Finals Rodeo has represented the pinnacle of professional rodeo competition. What began as a small championship has grown into a nationally recognized event drawing tens of thousands of attendees annually and millions of viewers around the country.
Its move to Las Vegas in 1985 cemented its place as one of the city’s biggest annual traditions. The event not only showcases elite athleticism but also celebrates America’s deep-rooted cowboy heritage.
Generations of fans return each year to see their favorite athletes, celebrate Western traditions, and experience the thrill that only the NFR can deliver.
Key Details for 2025 at a Glance
- Dates: December 4–13, 2025
- Venue: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Nightly Start Time: 5:45 p.m. Pacific / 8:45 p.m. Eastern
- Arena Doors Open: 4:30 p.m. Pacific
- Number of Performances: 10 consecutive nights
- Events: 7 rodeo disciplines per performance
- Total Attendance: Over 170,000 expected across 10 nights
Why Fans Keep Coming Back
The NFR isn’t just a competition—it’s a community. Fans from every corner of the country travel to Las Vegas each December to celebrate the rodeo lifestyle. They connect with athletes, enjoy Western entertainment, and take pride in supporting the sport’s most dedicated competitors.
The event has a way of bringing together people from all walks of life. Whether it’s a first-time visitor or a lifelong fan, everyone who attends the NFR shares in the same excitement the moment the first gate swings open.
A Look Ahead to the Championship Weekend
As the 10-day competition unfolds, anticipation builds toward the final rounds. The last two nights, December 12 and 13, often determine who takes home the gold buckles and world titles. Every second counts as competitors push for record-breaking runs and scores.
Fans can expect high drama, edge-of-your-seat action, and emotional victories as the sport’s best battle for the ultimate prize. The final performance is always one of the most watched nights in rodeo each year—and for good reason.
The Spirit of the West Lives On
The National Finals Rodeo continues to represent everything that makes the Western lifestyle unique—grit, pride, tradition, and respect for the sport. In 2025, that legacy continues stronger than ever, with the Thomas & Mack Center once again serving as the heartbeat of rodeo excellence.
Whether you’re attending in person or watching from home, knowing what time the NFR starts helps ensure you don’t miss a single second of the world’s greatest rodeo.
Are you ready for ten nights of incredible rides, thrilling races, and unforgettable moments? Share your excitement and tell us who you’re cheering for this year!