NFR TV Schedule 2024 – Start Dates, Location, Channels

The National Finals Rodeo, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of rodeo,” is an annual championship event organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Established in 1936 as the Cowboys’ Turtle Association and later renamed the Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1945, it has been known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1975.

The NFR was created to determine world champions in rodeo’s seven primary events: bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, bull riding, team roping, and barrel racing. It first took place in 1959, featuring these events. Notably, team roping was added in 1962, and barrel racing joined the lineup in 1967.

The NFR showcases the talents of the top fifteen money earners in each event within the PRCA. From 1981 to 2000, it also included American freestyle bullfighting, where the best bullfighters from the Wrangler Bullfighting Tour competed for the bullfighting world championship. Although this tour was discontinued in 2000, freestyle bullfighting has experienced a resurgence in the 2010s, with dedicated organizations and world championships.

The National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR), established in 1959, is a separate event from the regular NFR and has been held at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas, since 2014. The National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR), introduced in 2020, determines the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s world champion breakaway roper and is held in conjunction with the NFR.

The NFR’s history includes various host cities. It began in Dallas, Texas, in 1959 at the Texas State Fair Coliseum and continued there until 1961. From 1962 to 1964, Los Angeles, California, hosted the event. In 1965, the NFR moved to the State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City, where it remained until 1978. The event then shifted to the Myriad Convention Center in Oklahoma City from 1979 to 1984.

Las Vegas, Nevada, secured the NFR in 1984, transitioning to the Thomas & Mack Center as its new home in 1985. Las Vegas has remained the host city, attracting over 170,000 fans during the ten-day event and becoming the arena’s largest client.

The NFR’s format regarding the number of rounds has seen various changes over the years. The event had different round counts, ranging from eight to eleven, before stabilizing at ten rounds since 1979.

In 2001, a significant milestone was achieved when VF Corporation’s Wrangler brand became the NFR’s first title sponsor, elevating the event’s status.

Despite bids from Oklahoma to bring the NFR back to Oklahoma City, Las Vegas has consistently outbid its competition. In 2011, Oklahoma City hosted the National Circuit Finals Rodeo (NCFR), a PRCA semi-pro series event, aiming to demonstrate its capacity for NFR hosting. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority extended its contract with the NFR through 2024. However, due to state restrictions in 2020, the event briefly returned to Arlington, Texas.

The NFR returned to Las Vegas in 2021, with the NFBR moving to the Orleans Arena. In 2022, the NFBR relocated to Las Vegas’ South Point Arena and took place just before the NFR, continuing to be an integral part of the rodeo scene.