25th PBR: Ak-Chin Invitational 2018 Presented by Cooper Tires

Gila River Casino Arena – March 23 & 24 – The third annual Ak-Chin Invitational PBR event will be the 12th stop on the 25th PBR “Unleash the Beast” 2018 Tour.
http://www.gilariverarena.com/events/detail/professional-bull-riders-ak-chin-invitational

Tickets are currently available at Ticketmaster    

Each “Unleash the Beast” Tour event contains 35 PBR Bull Rides – and Round 1 of the Ak-Chin Invitational will take place at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Friday, March 23, @ 7:45 pm (MT).

Round 2 will take place at the Gila River Arena on Saturday, March 24 at 6:45 pm (MT); immediately followed by Round 3, comprised of the advancing top 15 riders in the “Unleash the Beast Championship”.

Each PBR Bull Rides who will be competing at the 2018 Ak-Chin Invitational will be vying for his own spot in the 25 PBR World Finals event, scheduled to take place November 7-11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Other FREE, fan-friendly activities during the Ak-Chin Invitational:

PBR Meet and Greet

Thursday, March 22    3:30pm (MT)
UltraStar Multi-tainment Center
Top PBR Athletes will sign autographs and take photos throughout evening.

Fan Zone PBR Pre-Party

Friday, March 23    11am (MT)   
Tanger Outlets Wesgate
“Rodeo Days” celebration at the Tanger Outlets. Younger kids can ride a pony, pet a goat, or do wild west crafts.

Fan Zone PBR Pre-Party 

Friday, March 23    4pm (MT)
Gila River Arena
FREE event, right outside the doors of the Gila Arena – where guests will have opportunity to take photos with a live bull, etc.

Fan Zone PBR Pre-Party 

Saturday, March 24    3pm (MT)   
Gila River Arena
FREE entry beer garden, with live country music, games, dancing, photo ops with live bull, etc. Beer sale proceeds will benefit the Western Sports Foundation.

Danny & Aaron Custer Memorial Team Roping

Sunday, March 25   10am (MT)
Downtown Arena, Wickenburg
Open to the public, and hosted by PBR Co-Founder Cody Custer. For more info, email Cody at: codycuster12@gmail.com

2018 Ak-Chin Invitational Presented by Cooper Tires PBR Broadcasts:

Friday, Mar 23 Round 1 10:30pm (ET) PBR RidePass
Saturday, Mar 24 15/15 Bucking Battle 2pm (ET) CBS
Saturday, Mar 24 Championship Round 9:30pm (ET) LIVE PBR RidePass
Sunday, Mar 25 Championship Round 5pm (ET) CBS Sports Network

2016 Ak-Chin Invitational Champion:

Ryan Dirteater

2017 Ak-Chin Invitational Champion:Cody Teel