Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
For the first time ever, Texas will host the most competitive night in bull riding, and only one person will walk away with the title, a gold buckle, and $1 million.
The PBR (Professional Bull Riding) World Finals takes place Thursday through Sunday at Arlington's AT&T Stadium. Even if you're not well-versed in bull riding — no worries. Retired professional bull rider and TV analyst for CBS Sports Justin McBride breaks down everything you need to know about the sport and the event itself.
How bull riding works:
Bull riding, in essence, is pretty simple. “[The sport] as a whole is centered around 8 seconds," McBride says. A cowboy attempts to stay on a bull for 8 seconds with only one hand, and if they touch the bull with their free hand or fall off, they’re disqualified.
How the World Finals will work:
Over the course of the four-day competition, finalists from all over the world will go toe-to-toe against some of the most dangerous bulls and toughest competitors.
“The PBR World Finals is like the Super Bowl for us,” says McBride. “It’s as big as it gets. All season long, these finalists have worked toward this; they’ve all qualified to make it to the World Finals. It’s where we’ll crown the world champion.”
Here's the schedule of events:
Thursday, Nov. 12
- MBR (Miniature Bull Riders) Finals Round 1 at Lot 4
- MBR Finals Round 2 at Lot 4
- PBR World Finals Black Carpet Rider Arrival at Cooper Tires Stage
Friday, Nov. 13
- MBR Finals Round 3 at Lot 4
- PBR World Finals Black Carpet Rider Arrival at Cooper Tires Stage
Saturday, Nov. 14
- MBR Finals Round 4 at Lot 4
- PBR World Finals Black Carpet Rider Arrival at Cooper Tires Stage
- MBR Finals Round 5 at Lot 4
Sunday, Nov. 15
- 2020 PBR World Finals Black Carpet Rider Arrival at Cooper Tires Stage
- MBR Finals Championship at Lot 4
How scoring works:
While the perfect score is 100, no one in the history of Professional Bull Riding has ever managed to pull it off. “We’ve had a 96.5, but that's the highest it’s ever been,” says McBride.
The bull's half is scored on a scale of 1 – 50, based on how high the bull goes, how high the front end comes up from the ground, and if he’s spinning — "basically, his intensity," McBride says.
While the bull is rated on his ferocity, the rider's half is scored on their stability. On a scale from 1 – 50, they are scored on the length of time they can hang on without being disqualified.
Riders you should pay attention to:
At the top of the roster is Jose Vitor Leme, a clear standout and favorite, McBride says. “He’s a young Brazilian who lives in Texas now, and he’s amazing and in the lead coming into the finals after a crazy season. He has had an amazing year and has been flirting with the record books in a lot of different statistics.”
The second to watch is Joao Ricardo Vieira. “He’s also a Brazilian rider, a 36-year-old, and he’s got some good things going for him. He’s tough and strong, in great physical condition, but not as sound as Jose.”
Third is Jess Lockwood. “He’s a young man from Montana and two-time winning World Champion. He’s making some noise, even though he’s been out most of the year due to injuries.”
Most notable bulls to keep an eye on:
Despite the name Smooth Operator, there’s nothing smooth about this bull. “He’s a good veteran bull. These guys are not on him for long, and he’s typically for very strong members,” says McBride.
Next is Chiseled the Bull — although he is one of the younger bulls, it’s this exact trait that makes him a front runner. “A lot of people would consider him to be in his prime years, which makes him unbelievable when the shoot gate opens.”
What differentiates a bull:
Each bull is differentiated by its athletic ability. Some may be born natural beasts, while others acquire this agitation over time. “But it's all tied to their different personalities and how they’ll react in the shoot," says McBride. "Some bulls are the most chill animals and will let you pet them, and some don’t let anyone get near them."
But what about COVID-19?
AT&T Stadium will be enforcing protocols due to COVID-19, including:
- Enforced mask policy
- Limited capacity
- Cashless payment
- Accepting online mobile tickets only
- Socially distanced seating
- Frequent stadium cleaning
- Hand sanitizer stations
How to buy tickets:
Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at the AT&T Stadium Box Office, online at attstadium.com or seatgeek.com, or via the phone to PBR Customer Service at at 800-732-1727.
Where to park:
Guests are encouraged to park in any available lots at AT&T Stadium and are also welcome to additional parking at Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field.
Additional events happening in parallel to the PBR World Finals:
In addition to the competition, the 2020 PBR World Finals will also include a four-day, free-to-attend fan zone, which will include the Miniature Bull Rider Finals, Flint Rasmussen’s “Outside The Barrel” talk show, and well-known mechanical bull riders. Texas Live! will also host two post-event concerts featuring Chevel Shepherd and Wynn Williams on Friday and Saturday.
On top of that, the 2020 PBR World Finals Week will be simultaneously hosting the Women's Rodeo World Championship. The qualifying rounds are currently taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Center through Thursday, and the Top 6 will advance to compete inside AT&T Stadium from Friday to Sunday.
For more information, visit PBR's website.
