All Finale events are 3 full rounds followed by a short round.
On this page: Arenas · Format by division · Making the short round · At-Large teams · Consolation · Reruns · Turnouts · 2027 qualifiers
Arenas
| Arena | What ropes there |
|---|---|
| Main Arena | 1st round, and the Aggregate Short Round |
| Farnam Arena | 2nd round |
| Priefert Arena | 3rd round, and the Consolation Short Round |
The WSTR office is on the southwest corner of the main concourse.
Format by division
Every Finale event is three full rounds followed by a short round. Each rotation will rope on a sorted herd of cattle, gate-cut from the overall herd. This ensures each rotation faces similar conditions. While slight differences in cattle speed can occur, the “At-Large” qualification system is designed to help compensate for any performance discrepancies across rotations. The Farm Tek breakout barrier will determine excessive steer speed.
| Division | Arenas | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Main only | Traditional |
| #15.5 | Main and Priefert | Traditional |
| #14.5 through #8.5 | All three | WSTR barrier |
| #7.5 | Main and Priefert | WSTR barrier |
Add-on ropings (all progressive)
| Roping | Arenas | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| #16.5 Laredo Conversions Add-On | Main and Priefert | Traditional |
| #14.5, #10.5 and #9.5 Key Card Advantage | Priefert and Farnam | WSTR barrier |
| #13.5, #12.5, #11.5 and #8.5 Key Card Advantage | All three | WSTR barrier |
Making the short round
About 8 teams from each rotation advance to the Aggregate Short Round and are guaranteed a check, along with the At-Large teams below.
Note: the number of qualifiers per division varies based on team count and rotations.
Once you have qualified
- Go straight to the WSTR office to register and complete your W-9.
- Every short-round team is guaranteed at least $6,000 ($3,000 per roper). Those checks are available at the end of each rotation and can be cashed at the South Point Casino cage. Any further aggregate payout is paid at the end of the event.
- At-Large status is confirmed only after the final rotation. If you are a pending At-Large team, pre-register early so you are processed quickly once the last rotation ends.
At-Large teams
At-Large teams are the fastest teams overall that did not make the top 8 in their rotation, ranked by three-steer average across every rotation. At least two At-Large teams per rotation advance to the Aggregate Short Round.
Ground money: if not every eligible At-Large team gets in and faster teams are left out, those teams receive $5,000 per team. Teams in either short round are not eligible for ground money.
Consolation
The Consolation is a roping within the roping for teams that miss the Aggregate Short Round. About top 8 teams per rotation on two steers advance. You can get there by missing one steer, or by catching all three but missing the aggregate cutoff (your slowest time is dropped).
- It runs at the same time as the Aggregate Short Round, in the Priefert Arena.
- There are no At-Large teams in the Consolation.
- Example: In a six-rotation division (#10.5), 8 teams per rotation advance to the Aggregate Short Round, and 8 teams per rotation advance to the Consolation Short Round.
- Consolation positions are not official until the final rotation ends.
Note: the number of qualifiers per division varies based on team count and rotations.
Reruns and reviews
A field judge works with the flagger on every run. If a run needs a second look, either can call for instant replay, and a replay official decides from the HD footage of the official arena cameras. That decision is final. Disputing a call in public, including on social media, can mean disqualification from this or future events.
Turnouts
Finale ropings take priority over the outside qualifiers, no exceptions. Be ready when you are called: after three calls you are turned out. Depending on the round, you may be able to re-enter by paying a $500 per-roper turnout fee at the roping office, charged to the roper not in the box, or the team may draw out.
2027 qualifiers at the Finale
- Inside: eight qualifiers in the main arenas, the #16.5 Laredo Conversions Add-On and seven Key Card Advantage events (#14.5 through #8.5), with live cattle and setups identical to the Finale. See Add-On Ropings.
- Outside: the South Point Outdoor Qualifiers, December 4 – 13, in the outdoor arena next to the Centex stalls, for 2026 Finale contestants. To enter the Open qualifier you must also be entered in the Open Finale. See Outdoor Qualifiers.
