College National Finals Rodeo Returns to Casper, Wyoming

“We’re looking forward to being back in Casper and bringing the best college rodeo action to Wyoming,” said Jim Dewey Brown, Commissioner for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA). “This is college rodeo’s crowning event and there won’t be a better place to be this June than The Cowboy State.”

Each June, CNFR brings the top 400+ college rodeo athletes to Wyoming where they compete in a variety of events, including bareback riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping, bull riding, goat tying, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping. Both individual and team champions are crowned at the event.

To qualify for CNFR, student athletes in NIRA’s 12 regions must rank in the top three for their event during the season, while the top two men’s and women’s teams also qualify.

“Rodeo is such an important part of America’s story,” said Annette Pitts, CEO of Visit Casper. “As we celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary this year, we’re honored to welcome this event – and the athletes, teams, families and spectators – back to Casper.”

All tickets – and pricing information – are available online at FordWyomingCenter.com. Season tickets are available online, while single performance tickets can be purchased online, by phone (800-442-2256) and in-person at the Ford Wyoming Center (1 Events Dr., Casper).

CNFR includes nightly performances, slack performances, family day, a tradeshow in the Ford Wyoming Center, The Mercantile at the WYO Sports Ranch, Special Olympics Rodeo and the Cinch Style Show.

For more information about CNFR, visit CNFR.com. Learn more about NIRA at CollegeRodeo.com. To plan your trip to Casper and this year’s CNFR, check out VisitCasper.com.

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About NIRA

NIRA is the governing body of college rodeo. One of the primary goals of the NIRA is to establish and maintain standards for conducting intercollegiate rodeo competition. It seeks to promote intercollegiate rodeo on a national scale by bringing national recognition as an organized and standard collegiate sport and to promote interest, understanding, and appreciation, and vigilance over Western life and culture. NIRA student members are offered the opportunity to bring national recognition to their colleges and universities through rodeo competition. The NIRA is divided into 11 regions with over 135 colleges and universities having a recognized rodeo organization on their campus. Many other colleges and universities who do not have rodeo clubs are represented by independent members. Members compete in approximately 10 rodeos a year trying to earn a trip to the College National Finals Rodeo. More information: CollegeRodeo.com

About Visit Casper

Visit Casper is the official destination management and marketing organization for Natrona County and is dedicated to enhancing the county’s economic base and improving quality of life through tourism. Casper is Wyoming’s second-largest city and is home to world-class fly fishing on the North Platte River, historic trails and an inviting downtown. You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or discover images and content with #VisitCasper.

Media contact:
Tia Troy | tia@lightningbugpublicrelations.com
406.529.8314