Team ropers chase a steer in the arena at the Ariat WSTR Finale in Las Vegas

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Ariat WSTR Finale XX 2026: Dates, Venue, Tickets, Competitors and More

Every December, the best team ropers in the world head to Las Vegas. They chase huge checks, gold buckles, and bragging rights. In 2026, the Ariat WSTR Finale XX runs from December 3 to 13 at South Point. The “XX” stands for twenty, so this is the twentieth edition of the biggest roping event on earth. The official site promises about $20 million in payouts, plus another $600,000 in added prizes.

Contents at a Glance

This guide covers what you need to know. You will find the dates, the venue, ticket advice, and a look at the top competitors. Additionally, you will learn how the format works and how to plan your trip. Whether you rope, cheer from the stands, or watch online, this article helps you get ready.

What the Finale Is and Why It Matters

The World Series of Team Roping, called WSTR, started as a handicapped roping series. The idea is simple. Two ropers form a team. One is the header, and the other is the heeler. Each roper carries a number that shows skill level. Teams compete in divisions that match their combined numbers. Because of this system, weekend ropers and pro champions can all win real money.

The Finale is the grand ending to the season. Teams enter online through Global Handicaps or send in an entry form. A team that qualifies keeps its entry discount if it pays within 30 days of winning. Then the ropers travel to Las Vegas for the big showdown.

The 2025 edition, the nineteenth, set new records. It paid more than $20.4 million in cash and added over $600,000 in extra prizes. More than 5,000 teams competed. Staff used more than 1,000 head of cattle for the indoor events and another 1,000 for the outdoor events. Attendance and online viewing both hit new highs, according to the 2025 results report.

Therefore, the 2026 edition arrives with high hopes. The twentieth year is a milestone, and fans expect another huge show.

How the Handicap System Works

Handicapping makes the sport fair. Each roper gets a number from 0 to 10, based on skill and results. Two ropers add their numbers to form a team rating. For example, a team rated 9.5 can enter the #9.5 division. Teams with higher ratings face tougher fields, while teams with lower ratings face others at their own level.

This approach has three big benefits.

New ropers can win real prizes without facing world champions.
Seasoned pros still have the Open, where the top talent competes.
Every division has its own payout, so more people leave with a check.

As a result, the Finale feels more like a festival than a single contest. Families, friends, and ranch crews all show up to cheer for their own teams.

Dates and Schedule: December 3 to 13, 2026

The event runs for eleven days. Roping happens every day, from Thursday, December 3, through Sunday, December 13. Some days feature add-on ropings. Others feature sponsored events that rotate through the week. The official site lists Finale rounds on December 7 and December 11, among other dates.

The table below shows the main facts at a glance.

Detail	Information
Event name	Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale XX
Dates	December 3 to 13, 2026
Length	Eleven days of roping
Location	South Point, Las Vegas, Nevada
Estimated payout	About $20 million
Added prizes	About $600,000
Entry method	Online through Global Handicaps, or by entry form
WSTR office phone	(505) 898-1755, Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 5 pm Mountain Time

Last year gives a clue about the flow. The 2025 event began with the #16.5 Laredo Conversions Add-On on its first day. It ended with the #7.5 Standlee WSTR Finale. Lower numbers often finish the event, while higher numbers rope early. However, the organizers set the final order each year. Therefore, check the official schedule before you book travel for one specific division.

How to Read the Daily Schedule

Each day has several parts. Understanding them helps you plan your time.

Rounds and rotations: teams rope in several go-rounds on different arenas.
Short rounds: the top teams from earlier rounds come back to rope for the title.
Add-ons: extra events where ropers pay more for bigger prizes.
Turnouts and reruns: special rules decide what happens when cattle or equipment cause a problem.

The Finale site lists these terms, but it does not explain them in detail. For full rules, visit the page on arenas and roping format.

Venue: South Point Hotel, Casino and Equestrian Center

South Point is the home of the event. The property sits on the south end of the Las Vegas Strip. It includes a hotel, a casino, restaurants, and a large equestrian center. The center has several arenas, barns, and warm-up areas. This setup lets the organizers run three arenas at once. As a result, hundreds of runs can happen each day.

Stalls, Parking and Horse Health Rules

Many ropers haul their own horses. South Point offers stalls, and the Finale site provides stall and hotel forms. Parking and barn details have their own page. Reserve early, because space fills fast during a busy event.

Nevada has strict health rules for horses. Owners need to bring the items below.

Proof of ownership.
A negative Coggins test from the past 12 months.
A health certificate dated within 30 days of travel.
An equine influenza vaccine at least five days before travel, which the site recommends.

Additionally, ask your vet about any extra steps for your home state.

Getting Around the Property

The grounds are large. Wear comfortable boots and plan extra time to walk between arenas. Moreover, the casino floor sits close to the hotel lobby, so you can reach food and shops quickly between rounds.

Tickets and How to Watch

Many fans ask about tickets. Here is the honest answer. The official Finale page does not list ticket prices or admission rules. Therefore, do not rely on guesses or third-party sellers. Instead, follow these steps.

Check the official WSTR website for any admission notice.
Visit the South Point arena site for event pages and seating details.
Call the WSTR office during business hours if you have questions.
Avoid buying from unknown resellers.

Prices and access can change from year to year. Therefore, confirm every detail close to the event.

Watching From Home

You can also watch online. The Finale page includes a Watch Live section. Last year, the organizers also placed every short round on Roping.com for on-demand viewing. Members of the Global Handicaps Key Card MAX plan got free access to those replays. Check the official site for the 2026 broadcast plan once it goes live.

Meanwhile, results go up on the WSTR site and on Global Handicaps. The Team Roping Journal also tracks big winners each day.

Competitors: Who to Watch

The Finale draws thousands of teams, so no single list covers everyone. The organizers have not posted a full 2026 entry list yet. However, last year shows the kind of talent you can expect. Pro names such as Coy Rahlmann, Logan Medlin, Clay Martin, Dylan Martin, and Clancy Wilkerson won titles in 2025. Meanwhile, many amateur ropers also took home life-changing checks.

2025 Champions by Division

The table below shows several 2025 division winners. Use it as a guide to who may return.

Division	Champions	Time	First-place payout
#7.5	Antonio Siller and Clemente Sanchez	43.53	$184,000
#8.5	Dylan Martin and Clay Martin	35.10	$329,000
#9.5	Garrett Lefebvre and Clancy Wilkerson	32.71	$407,000
#10.5	Chance Hanna and Dalton G. Miller	32.44	$362,000
#11.5	Jim Breck Bean and Jasper Klein	29.00	$306,000
#12.5	Michael Ortiz and Adrian Martinez	29.94	$225,000
#13.5	Brady Pitchford and Clint Robinson	28.79	$230,000
#14.5	Rayson Hillman and Colter Buttars	28.68	$147,000
Open	Coy Rahlmann and Logan Medlin	37.58 on six head	$100,000

Notably, Riley Kittle placed in two divisions last year. He took third in the #12.5 and third in the Open. Denton Hulme and Chase Hulme also finished third in the #9.5. These results show how deep the field runs.

Can You Compete?

Yes, if you hold a valid handicap number and enter on time. Beginners can rope in the lower divisions. Experts can enter the Open. Additionally, the event offers Invitationals and At-Large teams. At-Large teams do not need a standard qualifier. Read the entry rules on the Finale site before you sign up.

Format and Payouts

Money is the big story. The 2025 event paid more than $20.4 million in cash. About $17.7 million went to championship finals, invitationals, add-ons, and Key Card Advantage events. Another $2.7 million went to the South Point Qualifier. The biggest single division was the #9.5, with $2.66 million in total payouts. The #8.5 followed with $2.25 million.

For 2026, the organizers again predict around $20 million. They also promise about $600,000 in extra prizes. Sponsors often add money for special events. For example, last year the Riata Stallion Incentive Program added $50,000 to the Open and a $30,000 bonus for ropers on Riata horses.

Because of the handicap system, a lower-number team can still win big. A #7.5 champion team took home $184,000 last year. Therefore, fans see real stories of regular ropers turning a good run into a huge payday.

Travel and Planning Tips

Las Vegas gets busy in early December. Plan early, and you will save money and stress. Use this checklist.

Task	Tip
Book your hotel	Reserve rooms as soon as you know your roping days.
Reserve stalls	Use the stall forms on the Finale site, and note refund rules.
Prepare horse papers	Gather your Coggins test and health certificate early.
Check the schedule	Confirm your division and times on the official page.
Pack for weather	Desert nights turn cold in December, so bring warm layers.
Plan your budget	Include entry fees, stalls, food, fuel, and lodging.

Tips for Spectators

Arrive early on busy days to find parking.
Bring a jacket for cool indoor arenas.
Watch the schedule for finals and short rounds, which carry the most excitement.
Follow the official social pages for updates.

Tips for Ropers

Practice with the arena size in mind.
Rest your horse between runs.
Warm up with enough time before your slot.
Stay calm. Consistency often beats speed.

Things to Do in Las Vegas During the Event

Roping fills the day, but evenings leave time for fun. South Point has restaurants, a movie theater, and a bowling center on site. Therefore, families can stay close to the arenas and still find plenty to do. In addition, the Strip sits only a short drive away, with shows, shopping, and dining.

Many visitors also enjoy day trips. Red Rock Canyon lies west of the city, and Hoover Dam sits to the southeast. However, leave early on roping days, because traffic and arena schedules can change quickly.

Finally, remember that plans can shift. Weather, travel delays, and schedule changes happen. Keep a flexible mindset, and you will enjoy the trip more.

Conclusion

The Ariat WSTR Finale XX is set to be a memorable week for roping fans. It runs from December 3 to 13, 2026, at South Point in Las Vegas. Organizers expect about $20 million in payouts and $600,000 in added prizes. Last year, more than 5,000 teams competed, and the champions came from every skill level.

To prepare, confirm the schedule, book your stalls and hotel early, and follow the horse health rules. Furthermore, check official sources for ticket and broadcast details, since the main site does not list them yet. With good planning, you can enjoy every run, whether you rope or cheer.