Wrangler National Finals Rodeo returns to Las Vegas

Stetson Jorgensen leads all qualifiers in steer wrestling entering the Dec. 1-10, 2021, NFR. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo banner hung up at the Thomas & Mack Center on Nov. 28, 2022. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Workers set up outside of the Thomas & Mack Center to prepare for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Nov. 28, 2022. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Thomas & Mack Center is set to host the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Nov. 28, 2022. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Shad Mayfield of Clovis, N.M., eyes his animal in Tie-Down Roping during the sixth round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

It was a full house in the South Point Showroom on Friday night for the Wrangler NFR viewing party. Photo by Patrick Everson/Special to the Review-Journal

J.B. Mauney of Cotulla, TX., is dragged by Johnny Thunder in Bull Riding as bullfighters move in to help during the Day 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Competitors gather in the arena as the fans applaud at the start of the opening night of Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Outside the Barrel host Flint Rasmussen, far right, talking with Wrangler NFR contestants, from left, Kaycee Feild and Tilden Hooper. (Steve Spatafore/Las Vegas Events)

Derrick Begay during his and Brady Minor’s winning effort Friday night in the second go-round of the NFR. (Phill Kitts/PRCA)

Steer wrestler Cody Devers from earlier this week at NFR. Mandatory credit: PRCA photo by Phill Kitts

J.B. Mauney of Cotulla, TX., is dragged by Johnny Thunder in Bull Riding as bullfighters move in to help during the Day 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Giddy-up, y’all: The rodeo is in town.

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which has brought money and cowboys to Las Vegas since 1985, is returning for 10 days of rootin’-tootin’ good times.

The rodeo kicks off Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center where athletes from around the world will compete in steer wrestling, bull riding, barrel racing and more. NFR has sold out over 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

This year’s rodeo has a $10.9 million competition payout, a new high for NFR.

All performances begin at 5:45 p.m. Last year, the rodeo had a total attendance of 169,539 people over 10 days, according to an NFR news release.

For those interested in getting some cowboy apparel, there’s The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The convention, which also opens Thursday and spans 10 days, features over 350 exhibitors selling western wear, furniture and art. Admission is free, and the gift show is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Other western wear-themed gift shows to check out during the rodeo are the Roper Cowboy Marketplace at Mandalay Bay, Cinch Western Gift Show at South Point, Downtown Christmas Expo at the Plaza, and Stetson Country Christmas at the Rio.

South Point hosts several NFR events, including the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s National Convention on Wednesday and Miss Rodeo America events.

The Plaza will host Barrel Racing Championships, the U.S. Shootout Finals and the Diamonds in the Desert Premier Horse Sale, among other events.

Country music favorite Luke Bryan added six shows to his residency show “Luke Bryan: Vegas” at the Resorts World Theatre to coincide with the rodeo. For tickets, go to rwlasvegas.com/entertainment. Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd and George Strait are also headlining.

For the full NFR schedule, visit nfrexperience.com.