YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo Celebrates 10th Year in Las Vegas at Cowboy Christmas

LAS VEGAS

The YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo will return to Las Vegas for its 10th anniversary, Dec. 4 – 13 inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena at Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo. The daily competition will take place in a custom-built 65,000 square foot tent with seating for more than 1,000.

Cowboy Christmas is the only official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Free to the public, Cowboy Christmas will be open daily from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Levels 1 & 2.

The YETI Junior NFR, just a short walk from the East lobby of the South Halls, features more than 700 of the best young rodeo athletes—19 and under—competing in the Wrangler Rodeo Arena in nine events including bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, breakaway, team roping, tie-down roping, pole bending, and barrel racing. The roughstock events will run from Dec. 4-8, followed by the timed events from Dec. 9-13.

“The YETI Junior NFR continues to grow and provide a showcase for ‘Rodeo’s Next Up,” said Bo Gardner, vice president of corporate marketing for Las Vegas Events and general manager of the Junior NFR. “Currently, eight former contestants in the Junior NFR have gone on to compete in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, including current world champions Shad Mayfield and Riley Webb.”

Gardner added, “We couldn’t make this event possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and event producers, who help make it one of December’s must-see events.”

For more information on the YETI Junior NFR and a full schedule, click here or through social media at /JuniorNFRLV. Daily admission is $10. For $40, attendees can purchase a five-day pass for the dates of Dec. 4-8 or Dec. 9-13.

Cowboy Christmas will include the following main anchor displays and programming elements:

Ariat Rodeo Live Stage – The daily programming kicks off each day with Storme Sessions presented by American Hat Company at 10:15 a.m. Hobart presents Mic Drop with Matt Merritt and Conserving Country with hosts Shane Minor and Garrison Allen continue at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., respectively. RMEF Films caps the day starting at 2 p.m. on Dec. 4, 7-10 and 13. The No Guarantee “Premiere” Documentary featuring Wesley Thorp, Tyler Wade and other NFR contestants runs from 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 5, 6, 11 and 12.

Cinch Cowboy Commons – Where Friends Gather – Returning in 2025, this area – located in the East lobby of South Hall, Level 1 – offers a variety of options. Attendees can enjoy the Rodeo Saloon, NFR merchandise booths, and the Cinch Stage that features all-day programming, including the RumpChat Podcast.

Cowboy Christmas Village presented by Clint Orms – This festive area, located on Level 2 of the South Hall, will include photo walls, a custom 12-foot Christmas tree, daily appearances by Santa Claus from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and more.

Bites and Brews – Located on Level 2, Bites & Brews features a variety of custom food and beverage carts.

Sold out for 379 consecutive performances in Las Vegas, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Under the contract with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association that runs through 2035, the purse in 2025 is more than $13.5 million. Qualification is based on the 2025 PRCA World Standings.

For more information on the 40th anniversary of the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas and Cowboy Christmas, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest Pro Rodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.