2018 Viva Las Vegas Travel Guide
Don't miss a thing. Travel around Las Vegas right with this Travel Guide.

Las Vegas is known for its bright lights and casino nights, but once December rolls around it becomes Cowboy Town, home of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the World Series of Team Roping Finale. The top 15 in the ProRodeo ranks gather to compete in 10 rounds at the Thomas & Mack Arena (Dec. 6 through Dec. 15) and team ropers of all levels come to compete for thousands at the South Point Hotel and Casino Arena (Dec. 9 through Dec. 15). Enjoy nightly performances, live music, shopping and so much more. 

Shopping and Arena Action

While you’re at the South Point, be sure to check out the South Point’s Western Gift Show directly outside of the arena, where you can easily get some shopping done for yourself or someone lucky back at home.

Be sure to check out the Heel-O-Matic booth located in the main arena, where you can catch up with some of rodeos greats and even get some practice in by roping the ground dummies. Also, check out the Heel-O-Matic Super Slider jackpots Dec. 10 through Dec. 15.

If you leave the South Point, Cowboy Christmas is located at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Halls and hosts more than 300 top exhibitors. And don’t forget about the Junior NFR, also in the Convention Center, Dec. 6 through Dec. 15, where young athletes will battle it out for Junior NFR Championship titles.

agefotostock.com

The Stetson Cowboy Christmas is located at the Sands Expo, and it also offers the Smarty Arena presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment. The Sands Expo will again play host to the World Championship Dummy Roping for Kids, presented by Cactus Saddlery and Twisted X Boots, Dec. 13 through Dec. 15.

This year, Mandalay Bay’s Roper Cowboy Marketplace will also offer the Panhandle Arena, with colt-starting and bull-fighting throughout the NFR. Plus, WPRA champion Lari Dee Guy will host an All-Girl Roping Sunday, Dec. 8.

Nightly Viewing

Can’t make it to the Thomas & Mack to watch the Wrangler NFR live? Not to worry, Vegas has you covered. If you’re still roping at the South Point Arena, you don’t have to worry about missing the Wranger NFR. South Point has two separate Wrangler NFR viewing areas: One in the South Point Showroom and Grand View Lodge, which is 21 and over from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., nightly; or the RAM Rodeo Viewing Party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for all ages in the South Point Convention Center.

Night Life

After each round at the Thomas & Mack, the winners of each round are hauled to the South Point Hotel and Casino, where they are crowned their prestigious Montana Silversmith’s go-round buckles and Pendleton Whisky at the South Point Dance Hall presented by Flint Rasmussen and Randy Corley. After the go-round winners are awarded their prizes, there will be free, live entertainment by Aaron Watson (Dec. 6 through Dec. 11), Cody Johnson (Dec. 12 to Dec. 14) and Sierra Black (Dec. 15).

The MGM Grand Hotelis home to the Gold Buckle Zone. Enjoy time with friends and meet some of the pros while listening to Double Wide and Dee Jay Silver, who will be performing nightly. And who doesn’t love them some George Strait, who will be playing Dec. 7 and 8 at the T-Mobile Arena located at the MGM Grand. Be sure to get you tickets before they’re all gone at axs.com.

The Mirage will host the following artist; Casey Donahew Band (Dec. 6 and 8), Tyler Farr (Dec. 7), LoCash (Dec. 9 to 10), Brandon Lay (Dec. 11), Andy Griggs (Dec. 12), Glenn Templeton (Dec. 13), Joe Diffie (Dec. 14) and Easton Corbin (Dec. 15).

Eats and Treats

If you don’t want to go far from the arena, head over to Silverado Steakhouse and enjoy some great meats, such at the Filet Trio or the lobster tails. Speaking of seafood, the Big Sur Oyster Bar is located right in the middle of the casino. Enjoy the Lobster Grilled Cheese sandwich or some New England clam chowder. And for a big celebration? Enjoy Michael’s and all of its offerings.

Added Money: Daily Gold Giveaway

Win up to $1,000 a day during the World Series of Team Roping Finale Glint Gold Giveaway!

Glint Pay, a proud partner of the World Series of Team Roping, is bringing back gold as a form of money you can save and spend in the United States. You don’t need to be a millionaire or a money manager because Glint’s unique technology and debit card makes gold available to anyone with a smartphone. You can use the Glint app and debit card to pay for dinner, buy feed, or withdraw cash from an ATM. And because your account is real physical gold, your money won’t be subject to inflation, recession, or bank fraud. To celebrate the return of America’s original currency, Glint will award up to $1,000 a day in real gold at the Finale. To enter for your chance to win, visit the Glint Pay booth on the main concourse or talk to one of our roving ambassadors.

SHARE THIS STORY
CATEGORIES
TAGS
Related Articles
March_24_2023_NFR_R05_TR_Tyler Wade_Wesley Thorp_HRae_002
Standing on Business
Forged From the Fire of Humble Beginnings
Tyler Wade team roping
a look back
Five of Our Favorite Moments from the 2023 NFR
Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp
And the Gold Goes To...
Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp Are 2023's PRCA World Champion Team Ropers
Tyler Wade Wesley Thorp
Driver's Seat
Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp Throw Down with 3.5 to Win Round 9, Lead World Into Final Night '23 NFR
R8-Wade-Thorp-Action-Photos-1
Record Speed
Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp Blast Back Into World Title Contention with World-Record-Tying Run