2025 dates and anniversary production
The 2025 Finals took place December 4–13 at Thomas & Mack Center. The opening program celebrated the 40th Las Vegas edition through music, themed productions and anniversary tributes. This is historical material, not the program for December 2026.
Opening acts, night by night
Throwback Night · tribute to 1985
National anthemMorgan Myles
Jarrod Morris
National anthemJeffrey Steele
Tribute to Contract Acts
National anthemSarah Rowe
Jackson Dean
National anthemWalker Montgomery
Jenna Paulette
National anthemCharley Cox
Neal McCoy
National anthemGeorge Ducas
Casey Kearney
National anthemCaitlyn Ochsner
Nate Smith
National anthemKalsey Kulyk (Canada); Presley Barker (U.S.)
Ricochet
National anthemEmily Ann Roberts
Gold Night
National anthemJeremiah Neal
National anthem announcements and contest slots
The organizer’s August announcement identified eight booked anthem performances and left two nights for contest winners. Its final dated event calendars list Charley Cox on December 8 and Jeremiah Neal on December 13. The cards include those later selections. Canadian Night had separate Canadian and U.S. anthem performers.
An opening act and an anthem performer have different parts in the show. For example, Nate Smith’s December 11 opening was separate from the two national anthem performances. Read the date, role and announcement stage together when using an archival schedule.
Watching the 2025 opening shows now
The 2025 live dates have passed. Check the official broadcaster’s archive for retained performances or clips and confirm what the current subscription includes. A replay of the rodeo does not necessarily retain every opening production or musical segment. Do not buy an event ticket or subscription expecting a historical show to be live.
Throwback Night, contract-act tribute and Gold Night
December 4: a tribute to the first Vegas edition
Throwback Night opened the anniversary program by looking back to 1985, the year the Finals first came to Las Vegas.
December 6: the contract acts
The third opening honored the specialist entertainment and arena performers who contribute to the rodeo experience around the competition.
December 13: Gold Night
The closing opening production used Gold Night branding. It belongs to the 2025 final-round program and should not be confused with similarly named themes in the following year.
Arena openings versus separate hotel concerts
Several artists had other Las Vegas engagements during rodeo week. An arena opening was not a ticket to those shows, and the hotel concerts had their own dates and entry rules. That distinction remains useful when planning the current year: always match the artist to a venue and the specific product being sold.
The current 2026 lineup
For the upcoming event, use the 2026 opening acts and anthem guide. It lists December 3–12, not the 2025 dates above, and separates the opening presentation from each anthem singer.
Frequently asked questions
Was Throwback Night in 2025 or 2026?
The 1985 tribute listed here opened the 2025 Finals on December 4.
Who were the 2025 opening artists?
The program included Jarrod Morris, Jackson Dean, Jenna Paulette, Neal McCoy, Casey Kearney, Nate Smith and Ricochet, alongside themed productions.
Who won the two anthem contest slots?
The organizer’s dated 2025 calendars list Charley Cox on December 8 and Jeremiah Neal on December 13.
Can I watch the old openings live?
No. The event is historical; check the official provider for retained replays or clips.
Where is the 2026 program?
Use the current opening-ceremonies guide on this site.
Sources & checking details
Official 2025 opening announcement ↗Official initial 2025 anthem announcement ↗Official December 8, 2025 calendar ↗Official December 13, 2025 calendar ↗Reviewed for this rebuild on November 12, 2026. Schedules, prices, inventory and service terms can change. Confirm final details directly with the organizer or provider.
