<P> The first NFR was held in Dallas in 1959 and continued at that venue through 1961 . In 1962 - 64 Los Angeles hosted the competition . </P> <P> Oklahoma City successfully bid in 1964 to be the host city . In 1965 the first NFR at State Fair Arena drew 47,027 fans . NFR remained there through 1978 and through 1984 at the Myriad Convention Center, bringing Oklahoma merchants an estimated annual revenue of $8 million . </P> <P> In 1984, Las Vegas bid for the event . Although the Oklahoma City Council considered building a new $30 million arena at the State Fairgrounds, the Las Vegas bid won . Since 1985 the NFR has been held in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas . The NFR has become Thomas & Mack Center arena's biggest client, bringing in more than 170,000 fans during the 10 - day event . </P> <P> In 2001 a landmark sponsorship agreement was achieved and Wrangler became the first title sponsor of the National Finals Rodeo . The agreement, part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's continuing effort to elevate professional rodeo to a new level, was made by PRCA Commissioner Steven J. Hatchell . </P>

When did the nfr move to las vegas