The PBR Returns to Billings

PUEBLO, Colo. – The red-hot PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS), which is setting records in attendance and television ratings this year, will enjoy its 21^st consecutive year in Magic City in 2016, as the Rimrock Auto Arena hosts the Stanley Performance in Action Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires on April 15-17.

The Top 35 PBR bull riders in the world will once again invade Billings, Montana, the most-visited regular season stop on the BFTS, to go up against the rankest bulls in the nation, as the stars of the PBR vie for their piece of the $140,000 payout.

The toughest men on dirt will face elite bovine athletes through three days of action-packed 8-second rides and heart-stopping wrecks. This stop in Billings is the only chance for Montana fans to witness these fearless cowboys taking on the most challenging bulls in the business, as the BFTS only makes one stop in Big Sky country during the 2016 season.

The weekend will also feature Montana natives Nevada Newman and Jess Lockwood, who will compete in Billings alongside leading rookie Wallace de Oliveira, and veterans Kasey Hayes and Aaron Roy. Three PBR World Champions will also be on hand including three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (2011, 2012, 2014), 2008 PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi and 2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee.

Lee is one ride away from his 500^th career ride. In the history of the PBR, only one rider (2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi) has reached this milestone. Lee will have at least four chances to reach 500 this weekend.

Tickets for the Stanley Performance in Action Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires are start at $20. They can be purchased at the MetraPark Arena Box Office, all MetraPark outlets, online at metrapark.com or by phone at 406-256-2400.

For an enhanced PBR experience, fans can purchase the PBR Elite Seats. Located in an exclusive section of the arena near all of the action, the PBR Elite Seats are priced at $250 each and will give fans the VIP experience of a lifetime, including a pre-event catered reception, backstage tours featuring a PBR 101 presentation, and meet-and-greets with the PBR’s top stars. Contact the PBR Customer Service Department at 800-732-1727 for more information.

In 2015, the PBR celebrated its 20^th anniversary in Billings by welcoming more than 20,000 fans to Rimrock Auto Arena over the three-day event.

The riders will face one bull each in Rounds 1-3. Immediately following Round 3 on Sunday, the riders’ individual scores will be totaled and the Top 15 will advance to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round for one more ride and a chance at the $30,000 event title.

Following Round 2 on Saturday, the sport’s top bovine athletes and best bull riders will compete in a special round of competition, the PBR’s sixth 15/15 Bucking Battle of the season. The series’ Top 15 riders will be randomly matched against the 15 highest-ranked bulls in this round, competing for bonus points which count towards the PBR world standings and a total purse of $21,000.

CBS will broadcast all 15/15 Bucking Battle action on Sunday, April 17 at 1 p.m. ET.

Round 3 and the Built Ford Tough Championship Round of the Stanley Performance in Action Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires will air live on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, April 17 at 4 p.m. ET.

PBR LIVE will stream the entire event in real time with Round 1 on Friday at 10 p.m. ET; Round 2 on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET; and Round 3 and the championship round on Sunday at 3:50 p.m. ET. PBR LIVE is now available at no charge to all fans and media. Visit www.PBR.com/live to view. Fans can also watch all of the action live via the PBR LIVE app, available for download now on Google Play and iTunes.