PBR Unleash the Beast 2021: American Roots Edition

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PBR Unleash the Beast 2021: American Roots Edition

PUEBLO, Colorado – the first major North American sport back to competition in 2021 following the COVID-19 shutdown – will begin the 2021 season for the first time in Ocala, Florida. The season-launch event, part of the premier series’ American Roots Edition, will feature the Top 30 bull riders in the world taking on the rankest bulls in historic outdoor venues and longstanding rodeo communities across the south.

The season opener in Ocala, launching the PBR Unleash The Beast: American Roots Edition is the first time PBR Unleash the Beast has been to this venue and we couldn’t be any more excited. The bull riding action for the PBR Monster Energy Invitational begins at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 16, and Sunday, January 17. This event will bring the Top 30 bull riders in the world will attempt one bull each in Round 1, followed by the Top 12 advancing to the championship round.

At each event, riders will have their shot at one bull apiece during Rounds 1 and 2, with the championship round featuring the Top 15 aggregate scorers and a chance at the event title. Tickets for both the PBR Tucson Invitational and the PBR Payson Invitational are on sale now and start at $50 for ages 13 and up, children up to 5-years-old will be provided entry for free, and ages 5-12 start at $15. Attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets early, with the cost of all admission levels increasing by $5-$10 on the event day. They can be purchased online through PBRTIX.com or by calling (800) 732-1727. As a part of PBR’s industry-leading safety protocols, fans will be socially distanced to minimize crossover and interaction between fan groups.

The 2021 PBR UTB season is going to be flexible as it plans to bring America’s original extreme sport to cities such as New York City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Sacramento, Ft. Worth and many more. The season culminates with the PBR World Finals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, November 3-7. The 2021 PBR World Champion – the bull rider who earns the most world standings points during the season – will receive the coveted gold World Championship belt buckle and a $1 million bonus.

About PBR (Professional Bull Riders)

PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 700 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. PBR’s digital assets include RidePass, 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.

Patrick OD O'Donnell

The moment a bull's gate swings open—that's when Patrick "OD" O'Donnell feels most alive. From his early days riding bareback through Arizona pastures to revolutionizing the bull riding industry as President of Bull Riders Only, OD has lived the Western lifestyle he now champions as Founder of Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Growing up in Casa Grande's sunbaked agricultural heartland, he didn't just learn about horses and ranching, he lived it daily, developing the instincts and grit that would later attract 4 million followers to CLN's authentic voice. After his baseball days at the University of Arizona, OD saw something others missed: bull riding wasn't just a sport, but was compelling entertainment waiting for the right vision. Between 1990-1997, his leadership transformed local rodeo competitions into sold-out arena events that changed Western sports forever. Today, that same pioneering spirit drives CLN's coverage of everything from championship rodeos to the quiet heroism of ranch life. When he's not building the digital home for cowboy culture, you'll find OD supporting Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, leading CLN’s 25-year Christmas Toy Drive for Arizona kids, or sharing his love of horsemanship with special needs riders through Arizona's own Horses Help. Living proof that authentic Western values still have the power to transform lives.