The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo kicks off in Las Vegas on Thursday at the Thomas and Mack Center, with huge crowds expected, which is a good sign for the local economy.
The popular rodeo returns for its 37th year, with cowboys and cowgirls taking over the area for ten days.
NFR brought in $181 million last year, with attendance approaching nearly 170,000, which surpassed 2019 numbers.
Michael Mack with Las Vegas Events said NFR helps fill Las Vegas hotel rooms during a slower part of the year, and the properties really embrace the rodeo.
Thousands of people fly in from around the country to see performances like barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding, and tie-down roping.
This year, there’s a record payout of $10.9 million, with all contestants vying for a piece of that prize money, and what better place to do that than Las Vegas.
“There is no town in this country or this world probably that can host this event like Las Vegas. I mean, they roll out the red carpet for everybody. It turns into a cowboy Christmas town. It’s just phenomenal to be here for the next ten days,” said NFR General Manager Allen Rheinheimer.
NFR and Cowboy Christmas are in town through December 10.
Mack said tickets for the performances at Thomas and Mack Center are sold out.