How to Watch NFR 2026
How to watch NFR 2026 live: stream all 10 nights on Cowboy+, or watch on TV through the Cowboy Channel. The rodeo runs December 3–12 and starts at 5:45 p.m. PT each night.
Last updated:
Choose your country
Broadcasters by country
| Country | Broadcaster | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Official streaming home. All 10 nights live and on demand with the annual plan. |
| United States | Cowboy Channel | TV | Paid | Live on TV through participating cable and satellite providers, including DISH and DIRECTV. |
| Canada | Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Annual plan. Confirm that checkout accepts your Canadian address and card. |
| Canada | Cowboy Channel | TV | Paid | Reported on Canadian cable plans including Shaw, Bell and Optik. Check your provider. |
| Australia | Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Annual plan. We could not confirm sign-up in this country, so check before you pay. |
| Brazil | Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Annual plan. We could not confirm sign-up in this country, so check before you pay. |
| United Kingdom | Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Annual plan. We could not confirm sign-up in this country, so check before you pay. |
How to watch the NFR in four steps
Pick how you want to watch
Choose the Cowboy+ annual plan to stream, or check that your cable or satellite package includes the Cowboy Channel.
Set up your account early
Subscribe and sign in a few days before December 3, so you aren't troubleshooting while the first round starts.
Install the app
Cowboy+ lists apps for Apple, Android, Amazon Fire and Roku devices. Install it on the screen you plan to use and test it.
Tune in at the right time
Every performance starts at 5:45 p.m. PT (8:45 p.m. ET). Open the app about 10 minutes before the start.
The quick answer
To watch the NFR live in 2026, your two official choices are Cowboy+ for streaming and the Cowboy Channel for TV. The official NFR site says Cowboy+ is the exclusive streaming home of the event, and that the rodeo is also broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel, subject to your TV provider's availability.
Cowboy+ or the Cowboy Channel: which should you choose?
| What matters to you | Cowboy+ | Cowboy Channel |
|---|---|---|
| How you watch | Streaming app or web | Cable or satellite TV |
| What you need | Annual subscription | A TV package that includes the channel |
| All 10 nights live | Yes | Yes, where carried |
| Replays on demand | Yes | Depends on your provider |
| Best for | Cord-cutters and watching on several devices | Viewers whose package already has the channel |
Check your TV package first. If it already includes the Cowboy Channel, you may not need to pay for anything else. If not, compare the Cowboy+ annual price with the cost of a package upgrade. Our NFR live stream guide covers Cowboy+ in detail, and our TV channel guide lists providers.
NFR 2026 dates and start times
The 2026 rodeo runs from Thursday, December 3 through Saturday, December 12, with a performance every night. Each one starts at 5:45 p.m. in Las Vegas:
| Where you are | Nightly start time |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Vancouver (Pacific) | 5:45 p.m. |
| Denver, Calgary, Edmonton (Mountain) | 6:45 p.m. |
| Dallas, Chicago, Winnipeg, Regina (Central) | 7:45 p.m. |
| New York, Toronto, Montreal (Eastern) | 8:45 p.m. |
| Halifax (Atlantic) | 9:45 p.m. |
| Alaska | 4:45 p.m. |
| Hawaii | 3:45 p.m. |
| Mexico City | 7:45 p.m. |
| Brasília, São Paulo | 10:45 p.m. |
| London, Dublin | 1:45 a.m. the next day |
| Sydney, Melbourne | 12:45 p.m. the next day |
| Brisbane | 11:45 a.m. the next day |
| Perth | 9:45 a.m. the next day |
| Auckland | 2:45 p.m. the next day |
For the theme night and details of each performance, see the 2026 NFR schedule.
How to watch the NFR by device
Cowboy+ lists apps for Apple, Android, Amazon Fire and Roku devices, and allows up to three devices at the same time. App availability can change, so check your device's app store before you subscribe.
NFR on Roku
From the Roku home screen, open the Streaming Store, search for Cowboy+, add the app, and sign in with your subscription.
NFR on Amazon Fire TV
Use the search icon on your Fire TV home screen, search for Cowboy+, select Download, then open the app and sign in.
NFR on iPhone, iPad and Android
Install the Cowboy+ app from the App Store or Google Play and sign in. Use Wi-Fi when you can, since a full performance can use several gigabytes of mobile data.
NFR on Apple TV and smart TVs
Search your TV's app store for Cowboy+. If the app isn't listed for your TV, the simplest fix is an inexpensive Roku or Fire TV stick.
NFR on a computer
Go to the Cowboy+ website in an up-to-date browser and sign in. If the video won't start, turn off any ad blocker for that site.
Watching on YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling and other services
- YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV: We found no official confirmation that either carries the Cowboy Channel as a standard channel. Check the current lineup before you pay.
- Pluto TV: We found nothing connecting Pluto TV to the NFR.
- Sling TV: The Cowboy Channel has been sold through Sling's Heartland Extra package. That information is older, so confirm it with Sling.
- RFD-TV: RFD-TV simulcast the NFR in earlier years, but Cowboy+ says the event is no longer on that channel.
Can you watch in a hotel or bar?
If you are in Las Vegas, more than 26 hotel partners host NFR viewing parties. Elsewhere, many western bars and restaurants show the rodeo, but call ahead, because that depends on the venue's own TV package.
Watching while you travel
Streaming rights can differ by country, so an app that works at home may not work abroad. Check the Cowboy+ terms before you travel.
A VPN can protect your connection on public Wi-Fi, but it doesn't change a streaming service's terms, and some services restrict VPN use or block known VPN addresses. Read your provider's terms and follow local laws.
If your stream won't work
Close and reopen the app, check for updates, then restart your device. If it keeps buffering, restart your router and lower the video quality. An HD stream needs a steady connection of about 10 Mbps. If the app still won't play, try the website, and keep our NFR results page handy until you are back up.
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch NFR 2026 live?
Stream all 10 nights on Cowboy+ with its annual plan, or watch live on TV through the Cowboy Channel if your cable or satellite provider carries it. The official NFR site names Cowboy+ as the exclusive streaming home of the event.
What channel is the NFR on?
The NFR airs live on the Cowboy Channel. It has been listed on DISH channel 232 and DIRECTV channel 603, but packages vary, so check your provider's lineup before the first night.
Can I watch the NFR for free?
We found no official free live stream of the NFR. Be careful with sites and calendar listings that promise one, because many are fake pages that lead to sign-up scams. Free legal options include some Las Vegas viewing parties, if you are in town.
How much does Cowboy+ cost for the NFR?
The annual plan that includes the NFR was most recently listed at $119.99 per year. Cowboy+ has said NFR streaming is not part of the monthly plan. Confirm the current price at checkout, because it can change.
Which devices can I use to watch the NFR?
Cowboy+ lists apps for Apple, Android, Amazon Fire and Roku devices, with up to three devices streaming at once. Install and sign in before the first night to avoid a last-minute problem.
Is the NFR on YouTube TV, Hulu or Pluto TV?
We found no official confirmation that the Cowboy Channel is a standard channel on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV or Pluto TV. Check that service's current channel list before paying for it to watch the NFR.
Can I watch NFR replays?
Yes. The official NFR site says the Cowboy+ annual plan includes on-demand replays as well as all 10 nights live.
Can I watch the NFR outside the United States?
Cowboy+ is the first option to check, but we could not confirm a list of supported countries, so make sure sign-up works where you live before paying. In Canada, the Cowboy Channel has also been reported on some cable plans.