DECEMBER 3–5
David Lewis
A traditional-country artist from Bellville, Texas, bringing straight-ahead storytelling and a road-tested live set to opening weekend.
Official event listing ↗2026 COWBOY CORRAL
THE PARTY STARTS BEFORE THE CHUTES OPEN.
Use the complete artist lineup, arrival timeline and ticket-access guide to turn the arena’s live-music hub into part of your NFR night.
Independent visitor guide • Verified against official 2026 information
LIVE MUSIC • BAR • DANCING
DEC 3–12Every NFR night
3Artist residencies
4:45 PMListed music start
5:45 PMRodeo start
LIVE MUSIC LINEUP
Three residencies across ten nights.
Each artist owns a distinct stretch of NFR week, from opening weekend to championship night.
DECEMBER 6–9
Casey Anglin
A California-based performer with a high-energy country show and small-town songwriting at the center of the set.
Official event listing ↗DECEMBER 10–12
The Reeves Brothers
A honky-tonk country band with Pahrump, Nevada roots, closing Cowboy Corral across the final three NFR nights.
Official event listing ↗YOUR CORRAL TIMELINE
Music first. Rodeo next. Music after.
Multiple official pages currently show slightly different door or listing times, so this timeline preserves each published detail instead of hiding the conflict.
Why two door times appear: the arena's current Know Before You Go page says the Cowboy Corral entrance opens at 4 p.m.; the separate NFR Access announcement says Cowboy Corral doors open at 4:30 p.m. Individual artist listings show 4 p.m. Check the official same-day listing and your ticket before traveling.
TICKET ACCESS
Choose the experience you actually need.
Both routes can reach Cowboy Corral, but only one includes an assigned seat for the NFR performance.
Your rodeo ticket includes access.
A standard reserved-seat ticket gets you into the NFR performance and the designated fan areas, including Cowboy Corral. Follow the entry instructions attached to your ticket.
NFR Access ONLY • no seat.
The official program lists an $80 all-fees-in ticket that provides arena and designated-area access but does not include a seat for the rodeo performance. Inventory and terms can change.
INSIDE & NEARBY
More than a pre-show stage.
The southeast-side fan area connects live music with several official gathering spaces around the arena.
Country music
Pre- and post-event performances turn the southeast side of the arena into an NFR-night gathering place.
Bar, seating, dancing
The Corral is built for meeting friends, grabbing a drink and moving with the band before the round.
Bull 'N Barrel
The nearby saloon adds food and drink service plus the Hall of Champions display.
Fan zones
Cowboy+ Bar, the AXS Fan Zone and ProRodeo Zone expand the pre-show route inside the venue complex.
COWBOY CORRAL FAQ
Know the room before the band starts.
The Corral is part music venue, part fan gathering space and part arena entry strategy.
It is on the southeast side of the Thomas & Mack Center, adjacent to the Pavilion, within the NFR fan-access footprint.
The current NFR Access announcement lists live music at 4:45 p.m. Individual performer listings show 4 p.m. as the event time, so verify the same-day official listing.
Yes. Access is available with a reserved-seat NFR ticket or, while offered, an NFR Access ONLY ticket. The Access ONLY option does not include a seat for the rodeo.
David Lewis performs December 3–5, Casey Anglin December 6–9, and The Reeves Brothers December 10–12.
The official program promotes both pre- and post-event live music. The exact nightly finish can vary, so use the official event listing as the final word.
MAKE THE CORRAL PART OF YOUR NIGHT.
Start with the live set, leave enough time for your seat and keep the post-rodeo option open.
OFFICIAL SOURCES & IMPORTANT NOTE
Artist dates were verified October 2, 2026 from the official Cowboy Corral lineup and artist event listings. Access, price and venue details come from the official NFR Access announcement and Know Before You Go guide. Because the official pages show differing entry times, confirm the same-day listing and ticket instructions. Vegas NFR is independent.
