FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Becca Berger
Visit Fort Worth
Sr. Sports Marketing Manager
BeccaBerger@FortWorth.com
PBR World Finals – Most Prestigious Bull Riding Competition in the World – Debuts in Fort Worth
More than 70,000 expected to attend events in Fort Worth from May 13-22
FORT WORTH, Tex. (May 12, 2022) – The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals, bull riding’s most prestigious event, is set to debut in Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena on May 13-15 and May 19-22.
The event is part of a multi-year agreement negotiated by the Fort Worth Sports Commission in partnership with the City of Fort Worth and Dickies Arena.
The 2022 PBR World Finals marks only the second time in nearly three decades the season-ending event has been held outside of Las Vegas since the organization was founded in 1992. PBR held its first-ever World Finals outside of Las Vegas in 2020, relocating the event to nearby Arlington and AT&T Stadium due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“Securing the PBR World Finals was such a big win for the city,” said Jason Sands, Executive Director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission, an office of Visit Fort Worth. “We are confident the PBR faithful are going to enjoy the authentic western heritage and hospitality our community wears on its sleeve with pride.”
Based on previous World Finals in Las Vegas, PBR is expected to bring more than 70,000 visitors to the city over the course of 10 days while generating more than $30 million in economic impact.
“Dickies Arena is proud to welcome PBR to Fort Worth and host the most reputable and celebrated event in bull riding, the PBR World Finals. We are excited to host this prominent sports championship, showcasing the city of Fort Worth and Dickies Arena to PBR fans from all across the country,” said Matt Homan, President and General Manager of Dickies Arena.
The 2022 PBR World Finals will feature 40 of the world’s best bull riders competing through eight rounds of competition aboard the rankest bucking bulls on the planet. A combined $2.7 million will be on the line, including the $1 million bonus to the PBR World Champion, who also receives the coveted gold World Champion buckle, as well as a $300,000 check awarded to the event winner.
In one of the fiercest races in modern times, the world No. 1 and No. 2 bull riders will begin the World Finals within a mere 8.99 points of one another, while the Top 10 are separated by fewer than 420 points. Throughout the marathon competition, one rider has the chance to earn 1,272 points.
“This May, thanks to the incredible support of our partners from the City of Fort Worth, PBR will make a transformational shift, debuting the PBR World Finals at Dickies Arena, and bringing the biggest party in Western Sports to Cowtown for two weeks,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of the PBR. “Fans will have the opportunity to watch one of the fiercest World Championship races conclude inside Dickies Arena, where there’s not a bad seat in the house. They’ll also be able to enjoy a host of additional events, including the richest women’s competition in rodeo, the Women’s Rodeo World Championship, various concerts, PBR Cowboy Expo and Experience, and more.”
Beyond the PBR World Finals, the organization will celebrate cowboys and cowgirls of all backgrounds, holding a myriad of events across Fort Worth. These additional events include the Women's Rodeo World Championship, set to payout a record $750,000 to cowgirls across four disciplines, the Bill Pickett
Invitational Rodeo, the world’s leading all Black touring rodeo, and Mexico en la Sangre – De Toro a Todo, a one-of-a-kind event celebrating Hispanic culture.
“We are grateful for our strong partnership with PBR, the City of Fort Worth, Dickies Arena, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Cowtown Coliseum and Stockyards Heritage to make this incredible event come to life,” said Bob Jameson, President, and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. “Our city is ready to roll out the red carpet for fans and athletes from around the world.”
Mayor Mattie Parker will present PBR with an official proclamation recognizing the impact its World Finals will bring to the city, making May 13, 2022, the official PBR Day in Fort Worth.
Tickets are still available for the 2022 PBR World Finals, and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Dickies Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
For a complete schedule of events that will be held during the 2022 PBR World Finals, visit FortWorth.com/pbr.
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About PBR (Professional Bull Riders):
PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 500 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top 35 bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. In 2022, PBR is also launching the PBR Team Series—eight teams of the world’s best bull riders competing for a new championship—as well as the PBR Challenger Series with more than 60 annual events nationwide. The organization’s digital assets include PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, which is home to Western sports. PBR is a subsidiary of IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
About Dickies Arena:
Dickies Arena is a 14,000 seat, spectacular multipurpose venue that was built in 2019 and recently nominated for Arena of the Year by both Pollstar Magazine and the Academy of Country Music Awards. The arena is owned by the City of Fort Worth and managed by the not-for-profit operating entity, Trail Drive Management Corp. (TDMC). The facility is the result of a pioneering public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, the State of Texas and a group of private-sector participants, including foundations, individuals and organizations. The arena is located adjacent to the Will Rogers Memorial Center campus in Fort Worth, Texas. The state-of-the-art arena hosts concerts, sporting events and family entertainment, and is home to Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo performances. For more information, visit www.DickiesArena.com.
About Visit Fort Worth:
Visit Fort Worth is the official destination marketing organization of the 13th-largest city in the United States, dedicated to promoting Fort Worth as a premier business and leisure destination with thriving centers of creativity, culture and commerce. Visit Fort Worth is the parent organization of The Fort Worth Herd, the Fort Worth Film Commission, Fort Worth Sports Commission and music initiative Hear Fort Worth.
About the Fort Worth Sports Commission:
The Fort Worth Sports Commission advances the city as an international sports destination. A division of Visit Fort Worth, the Sports Commission attracts youth, collegiate, and professional events that deliver economic impact and boost Fort Worth’s image. The Commission supports the development of and access to facilities that enhance the quality of life for all of Fort Worth. For more information, visit FortWorthSports.com and follow on Instagram @FortWorthSports and their Twitter account @FortWorthSports.