Rodeo Daily

The NFR Wasn't Always Under the Las Vegas Lights

The National Finals Rodeo and the Thomas And Mack in Las Vegas go hand and hand. But it wasn't always that way.
Madi Roelofsen|
The NFR Wasn't Always Under the Las Vegas Lights
The NFR Wasn't Always Under the Las Vegas Lights

December is every rodeo fan and contestant’s favorite time of the year, not because it’s Christmas, but because it’s the National Finals Rodeo. 

Ten-straight days filled with non-stop rodeo action, shopping at the convention centers, and the overall Vegas experience. Visitors fly in from all over the world to experience the festivities and watch the "Super Bowl" of rodeo. 

Most people could not even picture the NFR anywhere else in the world besides Las Vegas but the famed rodeo did not always take place in the Sin City. The very first NFR, in 1959, was hosted in Dallas, Texas until it moved in 1961. 

From Texas, it moved across the country to Los Angeles from 1962-1964. In 1965, it relocated again to Oklahoma City where it remained until 1984 showcasing the greatest riders and livestock. 

Then in 1985 it finally made its way to the bright lights of Las Vegas and into the famed yellow walls of Thomas and Mack Center. It has been held there since, except for 2020, when it was held at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX due to Covid-19 and its subsequent restrictions. Las Vegas currently has the contract to host the NFR through 2024. 

We can not wait to see the top-15 professional cowboys and cowgirls in each event compete for those coveted Gold Buckles this December. What does the future hold for the National Finals Rodeo and Las Vegas’ partnership? Will Las Vegas get the contract to keep the NFR after 2024, if they don't, which city would get the opportunity to host it next?

Perhaps one of the cities that have already had the illustrious chance to host could be a contender to see it return in the not too distant future.

Until then, we will enjoy the Vegas lights and everything it has to offer. 

Published
Madi Roelofsen
MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone.  Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen  Facebook- @TVR Working Horses

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