NFR 2026 Opening Performances: Acts & Nightly Schedule

2026 NFR opening performances announced

Las Vegas Events announced the 2026 NFR opening lineup on November 4. The productions take place before competition at the December 3-12 Finals at Thomas & Mack Center. The announced artists include Ned LeDoux, Chancey Williams, Shea Fisher-Durfey, Blue Man Group, Supaman and Presley Barker.

Source: the official Las Vegas Events opening-performances announcement.

For the competition broadcast and the wider visitor schedule, use our NFR 2026 viewing and Las Vegas guide.

NFR 2026 opening acts by round and date

Opening productions, Military Night and Gold Night

The announcement describes stage production using effects such as pyrotechnics, lasers and arena video graphics. Some dates name an artist; others name a themed production. Military Night and Gold Night should therefore not be read as the names of individual singers.

The opening act, performance theme and national anthem selection are separate parts of the program. This schedule follows the opening-performance release. For the separately listed anthem singers and additional ceremony details, use the 2026 opening-ceremonies guide.

Arena start time, entry and watching the opening

The official performance calendar lists 5:45 p.m. Pacific for all ten rounds. That is the performance start, rather than a separate published set time for each artist. Be in your seat before the opening if a particular appearance matters to you.

Arena-entry guidance lists the Cowboy Corral and Cowboy+ Bar entrances at 4 p.m. and the main entrance at 4:15 p.m. Allow for screening and the walk to your section. See the shuttle and parking guide and the ticket and bag rules.

Cowboy Channel and the NFR-eligible Cowboy+ Annual option cover the rodeo. Check the broadcaster's dated program for a particular opening segment; an arena entertainment listing alone does not guarantee that every music segment is included in a stream.

Separate concerts by the opening artists in Las Vegas

The release also notes Ned LeDoux at Silverton on December 3-4, Chancey Williams at Resorts World on December 3 and South Point on December 7-9, and Presley Barker at South Point on December 10-12. Blue Man Group has its separate Luxor engagement.

A resort show and an NFR opening appearance are separate events. Check the venue, start time and admission for the concert itself. See the NFR concert and after-party guide for the wider calendar.

NFR 2026 opening-performance FAQs