Austin to Host PBR Teams Draft and Shane Smith & The Saints Concert

Austin, Texas – Are you ready to feel the heart-pounding excitement of the PBR community? On May 20th, gather with fellow fans at the iconic ACL Live at Moody Theater for the 2025 Teams Rider Draft – the moment dreams are made. Share the anticipation and camaraderie, and then let the powerful performance of Shane Smith & The Saints bind us all together in a symphony of sound.

PBR Teams Draft
May 20, 2025
ACL Live at Moody Theater
310 W Willie Nelson Blvd, Austin, TX 78701

History in the Making

Austin, get ready to witness history in the making! On May 20th at 7:00 p.m. CDT, the legacy of the PBR Teams Draft continues, and this year, it’s all about the electrifying potential of the 2025 season. Join your Austin Gamblers as they strategically select from a fresh crop of talent, including a dynamic group of international athletes ready to leave their mark. This fan-ticketed event puts you right in the heart of the action, a chance to feel the anticipation that has built from Arlington to Fort Worth to Nashville, all leading to this powerful moment in our city. Be there to feel the dawn of a new era!

“The PBR Teams Draft marks the official start of the Teams season, shaping the future of each team while finding new stars driving the excitement of our growing sport. This year’s concert, following the teams’ highly anticipated picks, will bring a new level of entertainment value to fans.”

-Sean Gleason, Commissioner and CEO, PBR

“We’re thrilled to welcome the PBR Teams Draft to Austin, especially as we celebrate our hometown Gamblers’ championship season. This event perfectly blends Austin’s proud Western heritage with our identity as the Live Music Capital of the World. Having Shane Smith & The Saints perform makes this a true Austin experience that showcases what makes our city special. We look forward to hosting bull riding fans and athletes from around the world this May.”

-Austin Mayor Kirk Watson

Feel the Draft’s Power

Feel the power of this moment! The Draft isn’t just a selection; it’s the very heartbeat that dictates the destiny of each PBR Teams season, igniting rivalries and forging champions.

• Rewind to 2022: the Austin Gamblers, with a bold first pick, unleashed the force of Jose Vitor Leme upon the league. Moments later, the Nashville Stampede countered, seizing the talent of Kaique Pacheco – a move that would propel them to the historic inaugural Teams title. Leme’s dominance was undeniable, earning him MVP honors for the first two electrifying seasons. Then, in a dramatic twist of fate in 2024, Pacheco joined forces with his former rival’s team, the Gamblers, adding the final piece to their championship puzzle and culminating in their triumphant 2024 victory.
• The 2023 Draft’s top pick, Sage Kimzey to the Carolina Cowboys, foreshadowed another significant Gamblers acquisition as he joined their championship defense after the 2024 season. That same draft also highlighted the Kansas City Outlaws’ keen eye for talent: their first-round selection of Cassio Dias (5th overall) culminated in Dias capturing the prestigious 2024 PBR individual world championship.
• The 2024 Draft saw the Florida Freedom unleash a game-changer with their No. 1 overall pick: John Crimber. His electrifying talent immediately propelled the team to a remarkable third-place regular season finish, and his sheer dominance earned him the coveted league MVP title in his debut year.

“When we took part in the inaugural 2022 PBR Teams Draft, we knew this was an event we would want to bring to Austin. To have it happen the year after we won our first championship, hosting it at ACL Live, will be very special for our team and fans.”

-J.J. Gottsch, CEO, Austin Gamblers

The Deep Austin Ties to PBR & the Gamblers

Feel the Austin spirit! This city isn’t just a stop on the PBR calendar; it’s deeply intertwined with the league and the Gamblers. Powerhouse partners like Tecovas, YETI, and Rhino USA are all rooted right here in our capital, showcasing a shared identity and commitment to the thrill of professional bull riding.

International Talent Poised to Ignite 2025 PBR Draft

The future of PBR Teams is taking shape! The 2025 Draft is set to unleash a wave of talent, particularly from Brazil. Imagine the intensity as all 10 teams converged in Icem, Sao Paulo, this February, meticulously evaluating the skills of potential top picks like Jhon Carlos Moreira, Alex da Silva Oliveira, Elzisclay Rodrigues dos Santos, Eudimar Novais, and Riquelme Silva dos Santos. The excitement doesn’t stop there: Brazilian phenom Vinicius Pinheiro Correa, already proving his mettle in the U.S., has also entered the draft, signaling a thrilling influx of international prowess.

Global Showdown

Get ready for a global showdown! Australia’s celebrated Leather Brothers, Macaulie and Boston – champions who’ve dominated the PBR Australia scene – have officially declared for the 2025 Draft, adding even more international firepower to the mix. When the draft kicks off, all eyes will be on the Arizona Ridge Riders, who strategically positioned themselves to claim the coveted No. 1 overall pick, along with the leading selections in the subsequent rounds. The New York Mavericks will be quick on their heels at No. 2, while the Kansas City Outlaws possess significant early influence with three picks in the top ten. The remaining first-round order sees the Missouri Thunder at No. 5, followed by the Texas Rattlers, Florida Freedom, Austin Gamblers, and the Carolina Cowboys.

Austin’s Own Shane Smith & The Saints at PBR Draft

Austin’s own Shane Smith & The Saints are coming home to electrify the PBR Draft! This isn’t just a band; it’s a force of nature, born in this very city in 2011 and sculpted by a decade of relentless touring – playing up to 240 shows a year! Their distinctive American roots sound, a potent mix of country, folk, and roadhouse rock & roll, has conquered iconic venues like Red Rocks and the Ryman. Their authentic energy even landed them on the hit show “Yellowstone.” Featuring Shane Smith’s powerful songwriting and the incredible talents of Bennett Brown, Dustin Schaefer, Chase Satterwhite, and Zach Stover. Shane Smith & The Saints are guaranteed to deliver a performance as raw and unforgettable as their journey, including tracks from their latest album “Norther” like the powerful “Fire in the Ocean.”

Secure Your Spot: 2025 PBR Draft Tickets

Don’t miss the action! Secure your tickets now for the 2025 PBR Teams Draft, with tickets starting at $53. Visit AXS PBR Teams Draft or ACL Live Events today!

Austin Gamblers: PBR Gambler Days

Stay tuned for the Austin Gamblers at their home base, PBR Gambler Days presented by Tecovas. This event will kick off August 22nd-24th, 2025, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Soak up amazing live music, good eats and drinks, and witness the hottest, action-packed bull riding, brought to you by the world’s best athletes and rankest bulls. Putting their name to the test, this Austin-based group of hard-hitting cowboys are ready to gamble their way to the winners stage. The Austin Gamblers are no strangers to a big win! Champions of the 2024 PBR Gambler Days, this team is ready to bring the heat. I love going to this event, it has become a favorite of mine. Watching these bull riders unleash their full power is captivating. Their tireless work ethic and profound dedication are a remarkable testament to passion and the refusal to give up. Their steely determination shines as a pure embodiment of true grit. Don’t wait, purchase your tickets to the 2025 PBR Gambler Days today. It’ll be here before you know it!

PBR Gambler Days
August 22nd-24th, 2025
Moody Center
2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712

Follow Austin Gamblers

Website: austingamblers.com
Facebook: @AustinGamblers
Instagram: @austin_gamblers
X: @austin_gamblers
YouTube: @Austin_Gamblers

Pictured: Austin Gamblers – Photos Courtesy of Austin Gamblers

Last Updated on 05/03/2025 by Megan deFabry

About the Author:

Megan deFabry

Biography:

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music.

For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys.

I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI.

Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.

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