Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Payout Climbs Again in 2022, Now at a Record $14.1 Million

The Wrangler NFR, which is scheduled this year at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10, will have a record-setting competition payout of more than $10.9 million. This amount includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for all NFR qualifiers and $9,700,098 in competition prize money.

Between 2015 and 2020, the NFR paid out a total of $10 million – $8.8 million in competition prize money and $1.2 million in guaranteed prize money to qualifiers. The total purse increased to $10,257,048 in 2021.

Based on the updated purse in 2022, the increase will see round winners take home $28,914 per round and average winners earn $74,150. Each go-round will pay a total of $93,270, while the average total will pay $279,811 per event.

The stock contractor pay – which is 30% of the contestant payout – increased to $3,270,030.

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 increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.