So what’s this whole deal about the NFR?

Every December, some of our ETI members, and a lot of past members, drive to Las Vegas for the NFR.  It’s really something to look forward to because we all get to be with our long-time amigos, we get to watch the best of rodeo stock, cowboys and cowgirls, and best of all, there are thousands of “our people!”

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR), known popularly as the "super bowl of rodeo," is a championship event held annually by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). That organization established the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in 1958 in order to determine the world champion in each of rodeo's seven main events: calf roping, steer wrestling, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing and team roping.

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) showcases the talents of the nation's top fifteen money-winners in each event as they compete for the world title. The first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was held in Dallas in 1959 and continued at that venue through 1961. In 1962-64 Los Angeles hosted the competition. In 1964, however, Oklahoma City successfully bid to be the host city. In 1965 the first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in State Fair Arena drew 47,027 fans. The world event remained there through 1978 and thereafter was held in the Myriad Convention Center.

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) remained in Oklahoma City through 1984, bringing Oklahoma merchants an estimated annual revenue of $8 million dollars. In 1984, however, the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, bid for the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) event. Although the Oklahoma City Council considered building a new $30 million arena at the State Fairgrounds, the Las Vegas bid won. Since 1985 the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) has been held in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The NFR (National Finals Rodeo) has become Thomas & Mack Center arena’s biggest client, bringing in more than 170,000 fans during the 10-day event. In 2001 a landmark sponsorship agreement was achieved and Wrangler became the first title sponsor of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).  In 2014 contracts were set for the National Finals Rodeo to remain in Las Vegas until 2024.

We have some wonderful long-standing traditions, and we’d sure like each of you to join us all next year!

We kick it all off with an awesome dinner at the Golden Steer…all decked out for Christmas with the cowboy touch…

Oh man, and the shopping.  Like we say, you can buy everything from a $5 pair of earings to a $17-million Montana ranch complete with airplane, and everything in between…

…and of course the rodeo!  We hang out together and watch the rodeo for FREE with appetizers provided and a bar for a cooool drink!  It doesn’t get better than this!

Join us in 2020…you’ll have a great time, end up with some priceless memories and go home with bags full of “treasures.”

To get a preview of just ONE of the Cowboy Christmas-type venues for shopping and exhibitions, watch this video…you’ll wanna go now!  There are other similar events at the Rio, Mandalay Bay and Southpoint Casinos…