The 65th edition of the most anticipated Rodeo event in the United States is set to kick off next month at the usual Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is the ultimate showdown of rodeo prowess where cowboy and cowgirl compete in a thrilling array of events for ten-straight days.
In 1985, the National Finals Rodeo finally made its way to the Thomas and Mack Center of Las Vegas and has been held there since then, except for 2020, when it was held at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding participate in the Wrangler NFR for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle.
When will the 2023 NFR Start?
The 2023 National Finals Rodeo is scheduled from Thursday, December 7, to Saturday, December 16.
Where will be the 2023 NFR held?
The much-anticipated rodeo event will take place at the Tomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The arena is the home of NFR and attracts thousands of fans across the globe. It has a seating capacity of 19,500 and sells out during the NFR. Last year, the event had a total audience of 173,350 over the ten days of the competition.
Live Stream
The Cowboy Channel and RFD TV will livestream the 2023 National Finals Rodeo via cable and satellite partners. In addition, the event will be available to watch on the Cowboy Channel Plus App.
The Cowboy Channel
The Cowboy Channel is the official TV broadcaster of the event and can be accessed via a smart TV, browser, or mobile app. It provides live and on-demand coverage of PRCA rodeo events across the country. Subscription cost for PRCA on the Cowboy Channel+ app starts at $9.99/month or $99.99/year.
The Cowboy Channel is Channel 232 on Dish Network, Channel 603 on DirecTV, and Channel 260 on Cox.
RFD-TV Now
This streaming platform is compatible with various devices, such as Roku players, Roku TV, and Amazon’s Fire TV. The subscription cost is $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year. You can watch RFD-TV Now on DISH (Channel 231), DIRECTV (Channel 345), and AT&T (Channel 568 & 1568).
NFR Streaming Pass
NFR Streaming Pass is an NFR package to stream the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by the Cowboy Channel Plus. The Cowboy Channel provides the 2023 NFR streaming for $99.99 (non-recurring).
What is The NFR Streaming On?
Since there is only one official broadcaster, most alternatives are often streams with or without cable or satellite channels you can access with your device.
NFR on DirecTV
DirecTV is a good alternative for rodeo fans. It offers a 7-day free trial for 2023 NFR streaming. The Cowboy Channel is available on channel 603. In addition, the NFR simulcast on DirecTV’s Channel 345 through RFD-TV.
NFR on AT&T NOW
You can stream 2023 NFR without a cable subscription using AT&T NOW. The Cowboy Channel is available on Channel 566. Moreover, RFD-TV subscribers can stream the event on Channel 568 & 1568. Also, the new customers can enjoy a 7-day trial period.
NFR on Verizon FIOS TV
You can stream 2023 NFR on Verizon FIOS TV via the Cowboy Channel on channel 246. You can also stream 2023 NFR on your tablet or mobile device with the FIOS TV app.
NFR on fuboTV
With its 7-day free trial period, it’s one of the best streaming services to watch 2023 NFR. The subscription package starts at $19.99 for the first month for new customers, and the price then adjusts to $44.99/month.
Hulu with Live TV
Hulu TV offers more than 50 live channels, including the Cowboy Channel. New customers can enjoy a seven-day free trial, and after that, they have to subscribe to the monthly package to continue streaming.
NFR on Cox
You can enjoy the 2023 NFR with the Cox Livestream app. It has diverse options, from packages to various channels. You can subscribe to the $25 package with 75 channels or $69.99 for over 140 channels and enjoy NFR Livestream.
An Additional Streaming Service to Watch the 2023 National Finals Rodeo
Besides the streaming options mentioned above, NextMirror is another streaming service to watch 2023 NFR from anywhere in the world, and that too for only a one-time payment of $9.99. By subscribing to this platform, there is no need for any VPN, and there are not any hidden or automatic charges.
Prize Money
Earlier this year, NFR announced a whopping $10.257 million purse for this year’s National Finals Rodeo. Staggering $99,053 will be up for grabs in each event every night throughout ten rounds. Moreover, each cowboy and cowgirl stepping into the arena will have a guaranteed payout of $10,000.
2023 National Finals Preview
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the season-ending championship event and the richest and most prestigious one. It showcases the best cowboys, barrel racers, and livestock worldwide.
The top 15 contestants in different events have qualified based on money won during the regular season, including ProRodeo Tour events, the Justin Playoffs, and, for many bull riders, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour earnings.
After the Wrangler NFR, the sport’s world champions are determined based on total season earnings; what they win during the Wrangler NFR is added to what they won before the Wrangler NFR.
National Finals Rodeo consists of 10 rounds on ten consecutive days. Contestants earn money by placing first through sixth in any round and pick up more money by placing first through eighth in the average (cumulative times or points earned during the ten rounds).
In the end, there are two champions in each event (four for team roping): the average winner, who won the Wrangler NFR by having the best cumulative time or score, and the world champion, who finished the year with the most money. For each event, the average winner and world champion may be the same or different people.
Main NFR performances include Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Bull Riding, and Barrel Racing. Besides the events mentioned above, 2023 NFR has several other special events. Below is a sneak peek at those exclusive events:
2023 Wrangler NFR Opening Acts
Months before the event, organizers announced their elite list of performers scheduled to take the stage during the 2023 Wrangler NFR.
Notable names like Ian Munsick, Bryan Martin, Chancey Williams, Drake Milligan, Lainey Wilson, and others are included. Each performer will perform before the event gets underway.
Below is the complete list of performers with their national anthems performances at the 2023 Wrangler NFR:
* Thursday, December 7 – Vegas Night – Terry Fator
* Friday, December 8 – Ian Munsick – Zach Top
* Saturday, December 9 – Bryan Martin – Mae Estes
* Sunday, December 10 (Memorial Night) – Kodi Lee – Casey Kearney
* Monday, December 11 (Pink Night) – Chancey Williams – Annie Bosko
* Tuesday, December 12 (Rookie Night) – Drake Milligan (TBD)
* Wednesday, December 13 (Military Night) – Eddie Montgomery – Jenna Paulette
* Thursday, December 14 – Jake Worthington (Canadian Night) – Old Hickory; Lynnae Meyers (Canadian Anthem)
* Friday, December 15 – Lainey Wilson – (TBD)
* Saturday, December 16 (Patriot Night) – Gold Night – Kameron Marlow
Cowboy Christmas: A Shopper’s Paradise
Since its inception in 1986, Cowboy Christmas has been a beloved traditional event. Sponsored by Clint Orms, it is one of the daily highlights during the Wrangler NFR.
Junior World Finals: The Rising Stars of Rodeo
This bright and exciting addition took place in 2015 and runs parallel to the NFR. Junior World Finals is a celebration of young talent in the rodeo world.
This year, over 850 young contestants will chase their dreams and compete for more than $1 million in cash and prizes, with the coveted Montana Silversmiths championship buckle gleaming on the horizon. Regarding format, like the National Finals Rodeo, two champions will emerge in each event.
Breakaway Roping
Produced by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the NFBR will be held at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center from December 5 to December 6.
Breakaway roping is a lightning-fast event dominated by cowgirls. They chase down a sprinting calf and aim to rope it around the neck. However, unlike tie-down roping, the rope isn’t tied to the saddle and is released as soon as the calf is roped.
The top 15 contestants of this event will compete for the $250,000 money purse during the two-day, 10-round performance. This is the second consecutive year the NFBR will take place at South Point Arena & Equestrian Center.
Talking about the contestants, Martha Angelone won the title last year and will be back to defend her title. She will face some tough competition, including from her sister Sarah Angelone, who will be making her NFBR debut. Moreover, she will face Shelby Boisjoli, who has qualified for every NFBR since its inception in 2020.
Another debutant, Hali Williams, is the daughter of eight-time PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header Speed Williams and has been consistently ranked in the top two since March of this year.