Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour to Make First-Ever Tour Stop in Pensacola, Florida, March 20-21
By: Kacie Albert
PENSACOLA, Fla. – For the first time in league history, PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour will buck into Pensacola, Florida, welcoming fans into the Pensacola Bay March 20-21 for the PBR Pensacola Invitational.
In cooperation with local government, as well as ASM Global and the Pensacola Bay Center, PBR has instituted a series of fan safety protocols for a safe and responsible event, including:
• All fans, as well as staff and competitors, will be required to wear face masks inside the Pensacola Bay Center.
• PBR will only sell up to 42% of arena capacity to separate fans.
• All fans will be in POD seating, which increases distancing and minimizes fan crossover when entering and exiting their seats.
• All PBR staff, riders and stock contractors will be subject to COVID-19 (coronavirus) medical testing.
• Increased sanitization of high-contact areas including bathrooms, concourses, concession stands, elevators, dining areas, and the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office.
• Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the venue in high touch point areas to promote hand hygiene.
• There will be a focus on mobile ticketing.
• Merchandise sales will be limited to best-selling items to reduce lines and encourage speedier transactions.
While the event will mark the first-ever PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour event in Pensacola, The City of Five Flags has welcomed the developmental Touring Pro Division four times. Kenny Westrope went a perfect 2-for-2 at the inaugural PBR event in Pensacola in 2005. Subsequent winners included: Brian Courson (2007), Daniel Constable (2009) and Jarrod Craig (2012).
The PBR Pensacola Invitational will mark the fifth PWVT event of the year, with PBR’s fastest-growing tour first scheduled to stop in Cedar Park, Texas; Greenville, South Carolina; Lexington, Kentucky; and North Charleston, South Carolina.
With two PWVT events already complete on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, competition has been fierce as riders attempt to follow in the boot steps of past series Champions Chase Outlaw (2016), Jose Vitor Leme (2019) and Mason Taylor (2020).
After J.T. Moore (Alvin, Texas) claimed the victory at the season-launch event in Texas, surging Brazilian Marcelo Procopio Pereira (Rinopolis, Brazil) won the most recent stop in South Carolina.
The bull riding action begins at 7:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 20 and at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 21 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
On Saturday night, all 45 competing riders will attempt one bull each in Round 1. The Top 30 riders from Round 1 will then return for Round 2 on Sunday afternoon. Following Round 2, the Top 15 will then advance to the championship round where they will attempt one final bull, all in an effort to be crowned the event champion. Additionally, the PBR Pensacola Invitational event winner will also earn an invite to compete on the elite PBR Unleash The Beast.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and start at $15. They can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or PBR.com, charge by phone at 859-787-0915, or by calling PBR Customer Service at 1-800-732-1727.
For an enhanced PBR experience, fans can also purchase PBR Elite Experience Add On, which will provide a behind-the-chutes look into the toughest sport on dirt.
The Elite Experience Add On includes a pre-event question and answer session with PBR stars, commemorative lanyard and photo opportunity on the shark cage. For more information, contact PBR Direct at 800-732-1727.
Throughout the 2021 season, PBR will continue to commit to providing a safe environment for fans, athletes, employees, and crew by working with its venue partners to implement industry-leading protocols for live events while following health guidance from local and state officials.
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