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Lexington, Ky. – The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) returns to Lexington as the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour makes its ninth appearance all-time in the city on Feb. 13-14, 2026.
Over the course of the two-day event in mid-February, 40 top riders will appear in the initial round before cutting down to 36 riders for round two, taking on some of the sport’s toughest bulls. After two rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores will take on one final bull for a chance at the event title.
The riders will battle for crucial points toward the Velocity Global Standings, which determine qualification for the season-ending Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, Texas, on May 1–2. At the Velocity Tour Finals, one rider will be crowned the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion, and five riders not already qualified will earn coveted spots to compete at the PBR World Finals, beginning May 7 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Eli Vastbinder put together a perfect weekend in 2025 in Lexington, going 3-for-3 en route to claiming the event title. He bested Back Drop in the first round for 82.5 points before hopping on Hollywood the next round for 85 points. He ended the weekend with an 84-point ride on Buz in the Championship Round.
The two-day event at Rupp Arena featuring some of the top bull riders in the country begins on Friday Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. ET and Saturday Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. ET.
The Velocity Tour has emerged over the past decade as PBR’s fastest-growing tour, experiencing strong attendance growth and reaching fans in 97 cities across the U.S. In 2025, the Velocity Tour hosted more than 370,000 fans, including selling out 18 event days.
Tickets can be purchased:
- At the Rupp Arena Box Office
- Online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com
- PBRewards Members can also call PBRDirect at 800-732-1727 or purchase via PBR.com
Don’t miss this action-packed weekend where man and beast collide in one of the most electrifying shows in sports, the only sport showcasing a lightweight taking on a heavyweight. Whether a seasoned PBR fan or new to the scene, Cooper Tires PBR Lexington is an event that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat.
EVENT FAST FACTS
- 750 tons of dirt (1.5 million pounds) are brought in to transform Rupp Arena into a bull-riding mecca.
- The dirt is a special clay-sand blend establishing a firm enough surface for the bulls to buck hard but soft enough so that every rider is not injured when thrown like a rag doll.
- It takes 7 semi-trucks to haul in the equipment for the event.
- A crew of about 30 works around the clock to prepare the venue.
- Over 50 of the rankest bucking bulls on the planet will be on site.
- PBR bulls are remarkable animal athletes born to buck. Each is a member of a special breed: The American Bucking Bull.
- By virtue of competing in PBR, they get the best food and care, avoiding a very brief career in the meat packing industry.
- The average PBR bull weighs 1,800 pounds.
- The average bull rider? Just 140 lbs.
About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour:
The PBR’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT) began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR. The Velocity Tour, the sport’s fastest-growing tour, brings the excitement and top-levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect from the sport to cities across the United States. The PWVT is proudly supported by Pendleton Whisky, Boot Barn, Cooper Tires, Rank 45, South Point Hotel & Casino, Kubota, the United States Border Patrol, Silencer Shop, Camping World, Wal Mart Health and Wellness, Anheuser Busch, Beatbox Wine and GovX. Every Velocity Tour event is carried on PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, PBR’s flagship digital network.
