From the Vault: Davis Wins First World Championship to be Awarded Inside T-Mobile Arena
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – T-Mobile Arena may still be in its relative infancy when it comes to hosting the PBR World Finals, but the state-of-the-art venue has already seen a series of memorable moments in PBR history since welcoming the PBR for the first time in 2016.
The PBR is returning to T-Mobile Arena this season with the 2021 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast on Nov. 3-7. It will be the fifth time the Vegas venue will be opening its doors for the PBR’s season-culminating event.
Fans wanting to attend the 2021 PBR World Finals can now purchase five-day ticket packages, starting at $99, exclusively at PBRTix.com or by calling PBR Customer Service at 800-732-1727. Inventory is limited.
Current world No. 1 Cooper Davis knows the emotion that comes with winning the PBR World Championship at T-Mobile Arena, as he claimed the PBR’s top title in 2016.
World Champion Riders Crowned Inside T-Mobile Arena
2016: Cooper Davis
2017: Jess Lockwood
2018: Kaique Pacheco
2019: Jess Lockwood
*2020 World Finals was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, because of the COVID-19 pandemic
Davis is attempting to become the seventh rider in the sport’s 28-year history to win multiple PBR gold buckles. Jess Lockwood is the last rider to pull off the accomplishment, winning both of his world titles inside T-Mobile Arena.
Fans will be able to purchase a personal, virtual meet-and-greet with Davis or Lockwood (limited spaces are available) beginning next week through the PBR’s Virtual Experiences program taking place on April 10.
Davis has a 130-point lead on Junior Patrik Souza heading into this weekend’s PBR Built Ford Tough Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, in Glendale, Arizona. Davis has drawn Oz (22-5, premier series) on Friday night (RidePass 9:45 p.m. ET) for the conclusion of the Del Rio, Texas, event. Meanwhile, Lockwood is sitting in third place in the Del Rio event, and he is slated to face Jaynette’s Pet 2 (4-4, premier series) on Friday night.
Today, PBR.com’s From the Vault series looks back at Davis’s remarkable world title run five years ago.
2016: Davis’ dedicated journey to the 2016 world title
Cooper Davis was sitting in his hotel room on the 12th floor of the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on Sunday morning when he looked at his wife, Kaitlyn.
“The money doesn’t matter,” Cooper said to Kaitlyn. “But fulfilling that dream of being able to wear that buckle for the rest of my life matters. I want to win that gold buckle.”
Cooper was making his final preparations to head over to T-Mobile Arena when he went to kiss Kaitlyn and his son, Mack, goodbye.
“Well, when I come back I might be a World Champion,’” Cooper said.
Kaitlyn replied, “I hope you are, but if not, it is what it is and God has a plan. Always.”
Cooper’s rock of stability later sent him a text message just before the start of the final day of the 2016 season.
Her husband was 226.58 points behind world leader Kaique Pacheco and was right in the thick of completing his childhood dream.
The seven days in Las Vegas had been an emotional rollercoaster with qualified rides one night and heartbreaking buckoffs the next.
She knew Cooper was ready for Sunday, but she also knew just how much pressure he was putting on himself.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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