OPENING ACTS FOR WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO FEATURES PROMINENT LIST OF PERFORMERS
Las Vegas Events announced today the list of Opening Acts for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The annual showcase is scheduled for Dec. 2-11 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Each of the entertainers will perform prior to the rodeo competition getting underway and will include a variety of production elements, including pyrotechnics, lasers and a new stage. The full list of Opening Acts includes:
Thursday, Dec. 2 – Vegas Night Friday, Dec. 3 – Easton Corbin (also performing at the opening of The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas on Dec. 1 and Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 2) Saturday, Dec. 4 – David Lee Murphy (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 4) Sunday, Dec. 5 – Bonnie Bishop Monday, Dec. 6 – Lainey Wilson (also performing with Jason Aldean at Park MGM) Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Glen Templeton (also playing Rodeo Vegas at The Mirage on Dec. 7 & 8 and Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on Dec. 9) Wednesday, Dec. 8 – Adrian Brennan Thursday, Dec. 9 – Corb Lund
Friday, Dec. 10 – Jamey Johnson (also playing the Golden Nugget on Dec. 10) Saturday, Dec. 11 – Gold Night in Vegas This list of entertainers joins the National Anthem performers announced last week. That group includes: Thursday, Dec. 2 – Drake Milligan (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) Friday, Dec. 3 – Jenna LeMaster (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) Saturday, Dec. 4 – Little Big Town (also performing at The Theatre at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) Sunday, Dec. 5 – Wyatt McCubbin (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) Monday, Dec. 6 – William Michael Morgan (also performing at Money, Baby! at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas) Tuesday, Dec. 7 – Candice Muir (contest winner) Wednesday, Dec. 8 – John Wayne Schulz Thursday, Dec. 9 – Jaida Dreyer (Canadian anthem); Tyler Booth Friday, Dec. 10 – Layne Beasley (contest winner) Saturday, Dec. 11 – Kyle Frey Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, 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 to compete for a share of the $10.257 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2019, the event had a total attendance of 168,289 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 330 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.
RODEO FANS TO ENJOY A VARIETY OF ON-SITE ENTERTAINMENT PRIOR TO AND FOLLOWING THE NFR PERFORMANCES
When rodeo fans arrive at the Thomas & Mack Center for the return of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo they will have multiple entertainment options to enjoy prior to and following each rodeo performance. Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR runs from Thursday, Dec. 2 through Saturday, Dec. 11. For ease of travel, rodeo fans have the option of utilizing the complimentary NFR Express Shuttle Bus service from 23 sponsor hotel properties and The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas. Upon arrival, fans will be greeted with rodeo-themed areas extending both outside the arena and within the confines of the building. On the outer grounds of the Thomas & Mack Center, the ProRodeo Zone will greet fans with PRCA sponsor-activation tents and live music. As fans move toward the entrance, they will pass through the Fan Zone, an area that includes additional sponsor tents, the official ProRodeo and Wrangler NFR merchandise trailer, food and beverage options, video screens and tables for attendees to congregate. Further enhancing the fan experience, two outdoor video boards on the face of the arena will broadcast Wrangler NFR moments, highlight videos, interactive content and contestant interviews. When rodeo fans enter the building, one of the arena’s highlights is the 36,000-square-foot hospitality area at the northwest 74
end of the arena. Rebranded and re-energized for 2021, the area is now called Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit. The area will feature a saloon and a 2,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed balcony with Strip views. The Cowboy Channel will host Western Sports Roundup at 4 p.m., the NFR Pre-Show starting at 5 p.m. and the NFR PostShow immediately following the end of the performance each night. An additional highlight will be an all-encompassing exhibit detailing the 35-year history of the NFR in Las Vegas. Access to Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit is available to all fans with a Wrangler NFR ticket for that evening’s performance and also will feature the live broadcast of the rodeo each night, including a large-screen projection. Meanwhile, on the arena’s southeast side opposite Aces High, fans can enjoy all the activities and amenities of the returning Cowboy Corral, which takes over the adjacent Cox Pavilion with live music, a huge bar and plenty of space to sit and relax or kick up your heels. The live entertainment will include The Brit Stokes Band and additional talent from Cowboy Revival each night prior to the Wrangler NFR starting at 4:30 p.m. Following the NFR, the Cowboy Corral will stay jumping with The Brit Stokes Band returning to the stage. Sitting right outside of Cowboy Corral is the Bull & Barrel Saloon, featuring its own bar and food service and the Hall of Champions with tributes to former NFR champions.
NOVEMBER 2021
