How to Watch NFR in the USA
Here's how to watch NFR in the USA in 2026: stream all 10 nights on Cowboy+, or watch live on TV if your package includes the Cowboy Channel.
Last updated:
At a glance
- Round 1 starts
- Thu, Dec 3, 8:45 PM, New York time
- Final round starts
- Sat, Dec 12, 8:45 PM, New York time
- Streaming to check
- Cowboy+
- TV channel
- Cowboy Channel
- Qualifiers to follow
- Most of the 119 qualifiers are from the US, led by Texas and the rodeo West.
- Price note
- Cowboy+ is priced in US dollars.
Channels and streams in United States
| Broadcaster | Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboy+ | Streaming | Paid | Official streaming home. All 10 nights live and on demand with the annual plan. |
| Cowboy Channel | TV | Paid | Live on TV through participating cable and satellite providers, including DISH and DIRECTV. |
How to watch the NFR in the USA
Check your TV package
Look for the Cowboy Channel in your cable or satellite lineup. It has been listed on DISH channel 232 and DIRECTV channel 603.
Otherwise choose Cowboy+
If you don't have the channel, subscribe to the Cowboy+ annual plan, the plan that includes the NFR.
Tune in at 8:45 p.m. ET
Every performance starts at 5:45 p.m. PT, 6:45 p.m. MT, 7:45 p.m. CT and 8:45 p.m. ET.
Streaming the NFR in the US
The official NFR site names Cowboy+ as the exclusive streaming home of the event. The annual plan covers all 10 nights live, on-demand replays and year-round western sports. It was most recently listed at $119.99 per year, and Cowboy+ has said the monthly plan doesn't include the NFR. Confirm the current price before you pay. See our NFR live stream guide for the details.
Watching the NFR on US TV
The Cowboy Channel carries the rodeo live. These are the most specific details we could confirm:
- DISH: channel 232.
- DIRECTV: channel 603. As of May 2026, DIRECTV said the network was on its Ultimate package in SD, and available through the MySports Extra add-on at $13.99 per month, which requires the MySports genre pack.
- Sling TV: previously listed in the Heartland Extra package.
- Cable providers: the network has been carried on systems including Spectrum, Comcast, Cox, Altice, Mediacom and Verizon Fios, though coverage varies by market.
Our what channel is the NFR on page has more on each provider.
NFR start time in US time zones
Performances start at 8:45 p.m. Eastern, 7:45 p.m. Central, 6:45 p.m. Mountain and 5:45 p.m. Pacific. In Alaska it's 4:45 p.m., and in Hawaii it's 3:45 p.m. The full schedule lists all 10 nights.
Following local qualifiers
The 2026 field draws heavily from Texas and the rodeo West. South Dakota's Lisa Lockhart and Levi Lord, Montana's Tayla Moeykens, Sage Newman and Haven Meged, and Wyoming's Hayden Welsh and Brody Wells are among the regional names to follow. The 2026 contestants list shows everyone by event and back number.