Music City Knockout will Return to Bridgestone Arena

PUEBLO, Colo. – The best bull riders in the world will invade Nashville as the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) comes to Bridgestone Arena for the Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires, on Aug. 18-19. This event is the last of four PBR Majors taking place in the United States this year, and will be a one-of-a-kind event that features two days of head-to-head, bracket-style action.

The Top 35 bull riders in the world will travel to the Music City as it hosts the fourth and final PBR Major of the year. PBR Majors offer increased prize money and points, which can easily catapult a bull rider up the PBR world standings.

The event will begin at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, August 18, and at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 19.

Tickets start at $25 (additional fees and taxes may apply) and are on sale now at the Bridgestone Arena box office, online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

The PBR Elite Seats will be made available for the second year, and are for avid bull riding fans who want a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s premier bull riding circuit. These tickets offer premium seats and the VIP experience of a lifetime, including early entry; a catered reception; 60-minute backstage tour by a PBR Host, featuring a PBR 101 presentation and a visit with the sport’s fiercest bulls; and the opportunity for photos and autographs from top PBR stars.

After the event, PBR Elite Seat holders also will be given premium dirt access, where they can get their complimentary 8 Seconds PBR program, Elite Seat lanyard and other memorabilia autographed by the Top 35 bull riders in the world.

The PBR Elite Seats are available for $400 and can be purchased by contacting the PBR Customer Service Department at 800-732-1727.

The 2016 Music City Knockout winner and reigning PBR World Champion, Cooper Davis, will be back to defend his title in Nashville. Davis will be one of four world champions competing as he will ride alongside, two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, Silvano Alves (2011, 2012, 2014), Guilherme Marchi (2008) and Mike Lee (2004). Tennessee native Cody Nance will represent the home state during the weekend while young guns Derek Kolbaba and Jess Lockwood look to continue their epic sophomore seasons.

Winners in Nashville include Cooper Davis (2016), Kaique Pacheco (2015), Chase Outlaw (2014), Guilherme Marchi (2013), Robson Palermo (2012, 2007), Ben Jones (2010), Cody Ford (2009), Justin McBride (2008, 2002), Owen Washburn (2004), Billy Robinson (2003),  Dusty LaBeth (2001), Adriano Moraes (2000), Terry Don West (1999, 1998), Jerome Davis (1997), Michael Gaffney (1996).

CBS Sports Network will broadcast both days of the event, Friday night will be at 9:00 p.m. ET while Saturday will be at 10:00 p.m. ET. CBS Sports will feature the final rides of the event on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET. Fans can also watch each round live on PBR LIVE. PBR LIVE is available at no charge to all fans and media. Visit PBR.com to view. Fans can also watch all of the action via the PBR LIVE app, available for download now on Google Play and iTunes.

The Music City Knockout will be the 18^th event on the 2017 PBR BFTS schedule. The season will consist of 26 stops, traveling to such cities as Chicago, New York, Anaheim, Calif., and Dallas. It will climax with the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas on Nov. 1-5 when the 2017 PBR World Champion, the bull rider who earns the most world standings points during the season, will receive the coveted World Championship belt buckle and $1 million bonus.

The BFTS is televised every week on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. BFTS telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves as executive producer.