2020 Media Guide - INTRO

PRCA Tours, Series and Championships

Cowboys decide which tours and series they want to participate in, then plan their rodeo entries and travel routes accordingly. Earnings at nearly all PRCA rodeos count toward the PRCA World Standings (within certain limits per event) and the 15 top-earning ProRodeo cowboys (per event) compete at the ultimate championship, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Wrangler NFR, the sport’s richest and most prestigious rodeo, showcases the world’s best contestants and stock. The 10-day championship, held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas every December, has enjoyed a sold-out attendance for 30 years . In 2019, 169,171 fans cheered 120 of rodeo’s superstars at the 61st Wrangler NFR, in which $10 million was paid to contestants who won or placed in rounds or in the average – $10,000 each just for earning their way to Vegas. Cowboys earn their slots at the Wrangler NFR based on their season earnings at PRCA rodeos; theTop 15

earners in each event qualify for Las Vegas. Cowboys can count only a limited number of rodeos toward their Wrangler NFR-qualifying earnings (bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 85; team roping, 65; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 85; bull riding, no limit), so experienced rodeo cowboys plan their competition seasons to maximize potential winnings and minimize travel expenses. Read more in the Wrangler NFR chapter.

2020 PRORODEO Tour. The new Tour consists of 56 rodeos. The PRORODEO Tour standings are based off a points system for contestants at each qualifying Tour rodeo. Points are distributed for placings 1-40; contestants are ranked by highest scores/fastest times at the conclusion of the rodeo. At a Tour rodeo with two or more go-rounds,

points are distributed based on the average. The Top 24 contestants in the Tour standings will qualify for the Tour Finale at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, Wash., Sept. 10-13, with a payout of $66,000 per event and total payout of $528,000. The Tour Finale will play a key role in determining which contestants qualify for the Wrangler NFR.

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INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION