YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo Attracts Top Youth Contestants to Las Vegas for Ten Days of Competition

The YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo will return to Las Vegas, Dec. 3 – 12 inside the Wrangler Rodeo Arena at Cowboy Christmas presented by Texas Precious Metals. The daily competition will take place in a custom-built 49,500-square-foot tent with seating for more than 900. 

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 Hall, 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 and tie-down roping will run from Dec. 3-7, followed by the remaining timed events from Dec. 8-12.

“The YETI Junior NFR provides an atmosphere for our rodeo athletes to compete at a high level, which embodies our tagline of ‘Rodeo’s Next Up,” said Bo Gardner, vice president of corporate marketing for Las Vegas Events and general manager of the Junior NFR. “Currently, we have had eight former contestants in the Junior NFR go on to compete in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, including world champions Shad Mayfield and Riley Webb.”

Gardner added, “This event is made possible through 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. 3-7 or Dec. 8-12.

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

Ariat Rodeo Live Stage – Each day kicks off with the new Acoustic Hour presented by Levi’s at 10 a.m., followed by the return of the live-music and variety show Conserving Country with host Shane Minor, joined again by Garrison Allen. Popular personality, rodeo clown and barrelman Matt Merritt follows at noon with his show, Mic Drop. Experienced radio broadcaster and personality Storme Warren will bring his unique talents to Cowboy Christmas again in 2026, starting at 1 p.m. with Storme Session presented by American Hat Company. Another new element – Variety Show – will culminate the daily schedule.

Cinch Cowboy Commons – Where Friends Gather – Returning in 2026, this area – located in the east lobby of South Hall, Level 1 – offers a variety of options. Attendees can enjoy Tito’s Rodeo Saloon, NFR merchandise booths and the Cinch Stage that features all-day programming, including the No Spin Rodeo Live and RumpChat Podcasts.

Cowboy Christmas Village – This festive area, located on Level 2 of the South Hall, will include a candy-cane wall, snow globes, photo ops, 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. There’s something for every appetite.

Sold out for 389 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 2026 is more than $14.2 million. Qualification is based on the 2026 PRCA World Standings.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas and Cowboy Christmas, please visit NFRexperience.comor 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.