MGM Resorts Goes Country for 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo December 1 – 10
MGM Resorts International Goes Country for
2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Thursday, December 1 – Saturday, December 10
Ten Days of Activities Scheduled Featuring Live Entertainment by Top Country Music Artists,
Cowboy Autograph Signings, Drink Specials & More
MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and and Monte Carlo Resort and Casino will host numerous events in conjunction with the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 10. Activities include nightly live music performances by the biggest names in country as well as drink specials, live feeds of the rodeo, autograph signings and more.
MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO
As the “Home of the Champions,” MGM Grand has scheduled a variety of events fit for the premier championship rodeo event of the year and its fans. Throughout the 10 days, the resort will provide numerous activities for NFR-goers including nightly concerts in the Gold Buckle Zone, autograph signings and the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.
GOLD BUCKLE ZONE
The famous Gold Buckle Zone, located at the MGM Grand Conference Center, is the nightly party that rodeo fans will not want to miss. The Gold Buckle Zone opens at 8 p.m. nightly with live music beginning on the Rock & Roll Denim Main Stage at 9 p.m. Admission is complimentary. The Gold Buckle Zone music lineup is as follows:
• Thursday, Dec. 1: Kevin Fowler / LOCASH
• Friday, Dec. 2: Davey Arnold / Clay Walker
• Saturday, Dec. 3: Davey Arnold / Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots
• Sunday, Dec. 4: Texas Jamm Band / Lonestar
• Monday, Dec 5: Texas Jamm Band / Joe Diffie
• Tuesday, Dec. 6: Texas Jamm Band / Davisson Brothers Band
• Wednesday, Dec. 7: Texas Jamm Band / Josh Thompson
• Thursday, Dec. 8: Texas Jamm Band / Corb Lund
• Friday, Dec. 9: Texas Jamm Band / Craig Wayne Boyd
• Saturday, Dec. 10: Texas Jamm Band / Eric Paslay
After the concerts end, Dee Jay Silver’s Country Club After-Party presented by Roper begins. Running nightly from midnight to 2 a.m., Dee Jay Silver will hop on the turntables and keep the Gold Buckle Zone party going into the early morning hours. Champion Tie-Down Roper Tuf Cooper will join Silver for special performances throughout the 10 days.
WRANGLER NFR COUNTDOWN SHOW & VIEWING PARTY
The Wrangler NFR Countdown with Jen and Stran Smith will return to MGM Grand December 1 – 10 with tickets on sale now. Held in the David Copperfield Theater, the show will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the previous night’s rides as well as a preview of the upcoming performance’s draw. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to win giveaways from MGM Grand and Wrangler.
One ticket will provide access to both the Wrangler NFR Countdown show and the Live Viewing Party. Tickets start at $15, including tax and service fees, and are available for purchase at any MGM Grand box office. The Wrangler NFR Countdown show begins at 6 p.m. followed immediately by the Rodeo Viewing Party. Doors open at 5 p.m.
MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA CONCERTS
Toby Keith
Superstar Toby Keith will bring his Interstates & Tailgates Tour presented by Ford F-Series to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Friday, Dec. 9. The concert also will feature country music duo Big & Rich. It is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
Tickets start at $35 (not including applicable service charges) and can be purchased at MGMGrand.com, AXS.com, in-person at any MGM Resorts International box office or by calling the MGM Resorts Call Center at 866.740.7711.
Tim McGraw
Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning musician Tim McGraw will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Dec. 10 to perform a variety of his greatest hits. Singer-songwriter Chris Janson will open for McGraw. The concert is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. with doors set to open at 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $79.50 (not including applicable service charges) and can be purchased at MGMGrand.com, AXS.com, in-person at any MGM Resorts International box office or by calling the MGM Resorts Call Center at 866.740.7711.
RODNEY CARRINGTON
As part of his Here Comes The Truth tour, Rodney Carrington will return to the David Copperfield Theater December 1 – 10. Shows start at 10 p.m. nightly. Tickets start at $59.99 (not including applicable service charges) and can be purchased at MGMGrand.com, AXS.com, in-person at any MGM Resorts International box office or by calling the MGM Resorts Call Center at 866.740.7711.
LOSERS BAR
After a successful run as a “pop-up” venue, Losers Bar will officially open at MGM Grand during this year’s National Finals Rodeo. The flagship venue, located in Nashville, opened 11 years ago and was founded by Erv Woolsey and Steve Ford.
On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Las Vegas location will celebrate its Grand Opening with platinum-selling country artist Mark Chesnutt who will perform beginning at 9:30 p.m. Chesnutt’s performance will launch a week of special shows by country artists, including one night with Nashville’s crowd-pleasing Losers house band.
In the space formerly occupied by Rouge Lounge, Losers will feature live music nightly in a casual, rustic setting. The new venue also will have one of the largest TV screens in MGM Grand and serve tap beers and its signature Bootwacker frozen drink, “Capri Suns.”
2016 MISS RODEO AMERICA PAGEANT
Guests will have the opportunity to watch the reigning 32 State Rodeo Queens compete for the coveted Miss Rodeo America crown by competing in the areas of appearance, horsemanship and personality. Events held at MGM Grand and open to the public are as follows:
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Miss Rodeo America Speeches (David Copperfield Theater) – 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 2
Miss Rodeo America Fashion Show (Gold Buckle Zone) – 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Miss Rodeo America Coronation (Gold Buckle Zone) – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
COWBOY AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS AND MEET & GREETS
MGM Grand is not only the official hotel of the Tie-Down Roping competitors, but it houses several popular PRCA Gold Buckle athletes including Trevor Brazile, Tuf Cooper, Luke Branquinho, Sage Kimzey, Shane Proctor and Fallon Taylor, among others. The group of cowboys and cowgirls will sign autographs and meet fans in the MGM Grand Main Lobby Friday, Dec. 2 and Friday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day.
Additionally the Crown Royal Riders also will meet with fans at Whiskey Down Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The 15 Tie-Down Roping contestants will sign autographs for fans in the MGM Grand Main Lobby Saturday, Dec. 3 from noon to 2 p.m.
MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO
Mandalay Bay has once again partnered with the producers of the annual Roper Cowboy Marketplace, Group W Productions, and also is excited to host nine days of “Nashville Unplugged,” a songwriter in the round show, among other NFR-related activities.
ROPER COWBOY MARKETPLACE
The expansive Roper Cowboy Marketplace will be located in Bayside E at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Thursday, Dec. 1 – Saturday, Dec. 10. This must-see NFR shopping extravaganza features more than 200 Western vendors and will provide guests the opportunity to purchase everything from clothing, home goods and more. It will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with complimentary admission.
COWBOYVILLE
Cowboyville, located at Mizuya Lounge, will host nightly live viewings of the WNFR beginning at 7 p.m. Additionally, live entertainment before and after the live feed is scheduled, ensuring guests never have to leave Mandalay Bay to enjoy a night of NFR action.
“Nashville Unplugged,” a songwriter in the round show, will bring the most successful writers from Nashville to the heart of Mandalay Bay when they perform December 1 – 9 at Mizuya Lounge. Performances begin at 4 p.m. daily. The shows are intimate and all-acoustic, creating a nightly interactive connection between the songwriters and the audience.
Immediately following the nightly live rodeo feeds, Wolf Creek (December 1 – 5) and the Ray Allaire Band (December 6 – 10) will perform on the Mizuya Lounge stage.
HOUSE OF BLUES RESTAURANT & BAR
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar will rope in rodeo fans when it hosts nightly viewings of the rodeo as well as live music daily. House of Blues also will offer guests drink specials and more.
MONTE CARLO RESORT AND CASINO
Double Barrel Roadhouse will be the NFR headquarters for Monte Carlo who, once again, is the “Home of the WNFR Bareback Riders.” The restaurant, located on the Las Vegas Strip, will host nightly Rodeo Live Feed Viewing Parties beginning at 6 p.m. as well as an autograph session with the Top 15 NFR Bareback Riders Thursday, Dec. 8 from noon to 2 p.m.
The Bareback Riders also will make an appearance at Double Barrel Friday, Dec. 9 for the Rodeo After-Party. Whether rodeo fans are looking for a cold beer, an autograph from their favorite bareback rider or a fun yet relaxing atmosphere to watch the rodeo, there will be something for everyone at Monte Carlo.