Welcome to NFRCowboyChannels – your fan guide to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 2025 on The Cowboy Channel, RFD-TV and the Cowboy Channel+ app.
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The 2025 Wrangler NFR returns to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas from December 4–13, 2025, with ten nights of world-championship rodeo, more than $17.5 million in prize money, and wall-to-wall coverage on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+. This site pulls everything together – how to watch, TV schedule, tickets, performance times, Cowboy Christmas, Junior World Finals, after parties, transportation and more – in one place.
Use this page as your starting point, then dive deeper into our detailed guides linked throughout.
Part 1: NFR 2025 at a Glance
- Event: Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) 2025
- Dates: December 4–13, 2025 (10 performances)
- Venue: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Start Time: 5:45 p.m. PT / 8:45 p.m. ET nightly
- Main TV Network: The Cowboy Channel (U.S.)
- Simulcast: RFD-TV (where available)
- Streaming: Cowboy Channel+ app
- Total Payout: Over $17.5 million in cash and prizes
For a deep dive into this year’s record purse and how it’s split between contestants and stock contractors, check our payout breakdown:
▶ NFR 2025 Payout: Record $17.5 Million Purse
Want the backstory on why the NFR is locked into Vegas long term and why 2025 is such a big milestone? Start here:
- PRCA–Las Vegas Contract: NFR Stays in Vegas Through 2035
- 40th Las Vegas NFR: How It Became a Vegas Tradition
Part 2: How to Watch NFR 2025 Live on The Cowboy Channel & Cowboy Channel+
Most NFR fans in 2025 are searching for one thing: how to watch NFR 2025 live without missing a single round. The good news is that the broadcast plan is simple:
Official NFR 2025 TV & Streaming Overview
- The Cowboy Channel: Main U.S. TV home of NFR 2025.
- RFD-TV: Simulcast of NFR performances on participating cable/satellite providers.
- Cowboy Channel+ App: Official streaming app with live coverage and on-demand replays on supported devices.
Every performance from December 4–13 is expected to start at 5:45 p.m. PT / 8:45 p.m. ET, with pre-show coverage leading into the rodeo.
For night-by-night details on what time to tune in and where to watch, go straight to our dedicated schedule page:
▶ NFR 2025 TV Schedule: Dates, Start Times & Cowboy Channel Guide
Watching NFR 2025 Without Cable
If you don’t have a traditional cable or satellite package that includes The Cowboy Channel or RFD-TV, your best option is to subscribe to the Cowboy Channel+ app. You can stream NFR 2025 live on:
- Smartphones & tablets (iOS, Android)
- Streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV – where supported)
- Web browser on laptop or desktop
As of now, The Cowboy Channel is not consistently available on big live TV streaming bundles like Hulu Live or YouTube TV, so Cowboy Channel+ and select cable/satellite packages remain the primary legal ways to watch.
Part 3: NFR 2025 Tickets, Performance Times & Transportation
If you’re coming to Las Vegas, this part of the guide covers everything you need to be in the building for NFR 2025.
NFR 2025 Tickets & NFR Access ONLY
Tickets for the Thomas & Mack Center are in high demand – especially for the 40th Las Vegas NFR. Fans have a few options:
- Standard reserved-seat tickets for individual performances
- Full 10-performance ticket strips
- NFR Access ONLY tickets that get you into the building and concourse watch parties, but not a reserved seat
- Verified resale tickets via official marketplaces
For tips on pricing, official sellers and how to avoid scams, start here:
▶ NFR 2025 Tickets: How & Where to Buy, NFR Access ONLY & More
Performance Times: When the Action Actually Starts
On paper, performances begin at 5:45 p.m. PT, but there’s more going on than just the first ride out of the chute. To catch the Grand Entry, opening performance, national anthem and first event, you’ll want to be in your seat early.
Get the full night-by-night timing breakdown – including gate opening times, pre-show windows and estimated end times – in our dedicated guide:
▶ NFR 2025 Performance Times: Doors, Pre-Show & Rodeo Schedule
Getting Around: NFR 2025 Transportation in Las Vegas
Las Vegas turns into “Cowboy Town” during NFR. That means:
- Buses and shuttle services from partner hotels to Thomas & Mack
- Rideshare, taxis and rental cars navigating heavy event traffic
- Parking plans and walkable routes for fans staying near UNLV or the Strip
To avoid missing your performance time – or paying too much for last-minute rides – use our transportation guide:
▶ NFR 2025 Transportation: Shuttles, Parking, Rideshare & Tips
Part 4: Things to Do Around NFR – Cowboy Christmas, Junior World Finals & After Parties
NFR 2025 isn’t just ten rounds at Thomas & Mack – it’s a full city-wide festival of western culture, shopping, concerts and after parties.
Cowboy Christmas: The Ultimate NFR Shopping Experience
Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center is a must-see. It combines:
- Hundreds of western lifestyle exhibitors
- Boots, hats, tack, art, home decor and gifts
- Live stages, interviews and autograph sessions
- Free admission for fans
Get dates, hours, maps and insider tips here:
▶ Cowboy Christmas 2025: Dates, Hours, Exhibitors & Fan Guide
Junior World Finals: The Next Generation of Rodeo Stars
The Junior World Finals showcases the sport’s future – young cowboys and cowgirls competing in their own finals during NFR week. Events typically include youth bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down and more.
For a full look at age groups, schedule, qualifying formats and how to watch the Junior World Finals in person or online, visit:
▶ Junior World Finals 2025: Events, Schedule & How to Watch
NFR After Parties & Nightlife
After the last bull bucks at Thomas & Mack, the night is just getting started. NFR week fills Las Vegas with:
- Official and unofficial NFR after parties at major casinos
- Free and ticketed country concerts on the Strip and downtown
- Nightly events like the Downtown Hoedown and arena watch parties
Our after-parties guide helps you decide where to head after the performance each night:
▶ NFR 2025 After Parties & Nightlife: Where to Go After the Rodeo
Part 5: Storylines & Behind-the-Scenes – Payout, Contract, Personnel & Openings
If you want to go deeper than just “where do I watch,” we’ve built out detailed coverage of the biggest NFR 2025 storylines.
Record Payout & Richest Rodeo in the World
With more than $17.5 million on the line, NFR 2025 is expected to be the richest rodeo in the world. Contestants can win more in ten December nights than they did all season.
Get the full breakdown of how that money is distributed in our payout feature:
▶ NFR 2025 Payout: Record Purse, Breakdown & What It Means for Cowboys
Las Vegas Contract & 40th Anniversary
Wondering if the NFR will ever leave Las Vegas? Curious why 2025 is such a big milestone? These articles cover the history and the new long-term deal:
- NFR Las Vegas Contract: PRCA–LVE Deal Through 2035
- 40th Las Vegas NFR in 2025: History from 1985 to Today
Who’s Running the Show in the Arena?
The contestants are the stars, but the contract personnel – announcers, bullfighters, pickup men, secretaries, timer crew and specialty acts – are the backbone of every performance.
Meet the voices and faces you’ll hear and see all ten nights:
- NFR 2025 Contract Personnel: Announcers, Pickup Men & Bullfighters
- NFR 2025 Opening Performances & National Anthem Singers
News Updates: NFBR & Lead-Up Events
NFR week is bigger than just the ten rounds. Lead-up events like the National Finals of Breakaway Roping (NFBR), the PRCA Permit Challenge and the Benny Binion Bucking Horse Sale all play important roles.
For breaking news about postponements and schedule changes connected to new biosecurity rules, follow our news coverage:
▶ NFBR, Permit Challenge & Benny Binion Sale Postponed Ahead of NFR 2025
Part 6: NFR 2025 FAQ – Cowboy Channel, Streaming & Las Vegas Tips
How can I watch NFR 2025 live?
You can watch every performance of NFR 2025 live on The Cowboy Channel and, where available, on RFD-TV. For streaming, use the official Cowboy Channel+ app on supported devices. Check our TV guide for times:
NFR 2025 TV Schedule & How to Watch
What time does NFR 2025 start every night?
Performances are scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m. Pacific Time (8:45 p.m. Eastern) each night from December 4–13, 2025. Doors and pre-show entertainment start earlier; see full timing here:
Is NFR 2025 available on Hulu Live, YouTube TV or other streaming bundles?
As of now, The Cowboy Channel is primarily available through cable/satellite providers and the Cowboy Channel+ app. It is not widely carried on major live TV streaming bundles like Hulu Live TV or YouTube TV. Always check your provider’s current channel list.
Where can I buy official NFR 2025 tickets?
Tickets are sold through official NFR and Las Vegas partners and verified resale platforms. Be careful with third-party links and unofficial “live stream” ads. For a safe overview of ticket options and NFR Access ONLY passes, start here:
What else is happening in Las Vegas during NFR week?
Beyond the rodeo itself, you’ll find:
- Cowboy Christmas shopping and entertainment at the Las Vegas Convention Center
- Junior World Finals showcasing the next generation of rodeo talent
- NFR after parties, concerts and watch parties across the Strip and downtown
Plan your full NFR week here:
Is this the official NFR or Cowboy Channel website?
No. NFRCowboyChannels.com is an independent fan guide created to help viewers and visitors understand how to watch NFR 2025, where to get tickets, and how to plan their Las Vegas trip. For official information, always check NFR Experience, PRCA ProRodeo, Las Vegas Events and The Cowboy Channel.
Use this homepage as your NFR 2025 hub. Bookmark it, share it with friends and click through to the detailed guides for TV schedule, tickets, Vegas travel, Cowboy Christmas, Junior World Finals and more.