PBR: Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour
Schedule
Fri, 02 Jan, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
515 Main St, Bangor, ME, United States, Maine 04401 | Bangor, ME
Building upon a decade of bringing Bangor the most thrilling 8 seconds in sports, PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour series bucks into the city for the 11th-straight year.The 2026 three-day event at Cross Insurance Center kickstarts the new year, January 2 – 4 as the action plays out through four rounds to crown a new champion. The bull riding action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, 7 p.m. ET Saturday, and 2 p.m. ET Sunday.
Top bull riders in the sport will be battling for crucial Velocity Global points in Bangor. Velocity Global points contribute to the Velocity Global Standings and determine which PBR riders are added to the Unleash The Beast tour throughout the season in addition to qualifications for the PBR World Finals in May 2026.
When PBR last came to Bangor in 2025, Dawson Gleaves, a 24-year-old cowboy from Texas, claimed the event title with an aggregate score of 242.5.
Over the course of the event, 40 riders will appear in all three of the initial rounds, taking on some of the sport’s toughest bulls. After three rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores ride for a chance at the title.
PBR Elite Seats are available for avid fans who want an exclusive VIP experience while enjoying the world’s top bull riding circuit. These tickets, available in two tiers, offer premium seats, personal on-site concierge at the PBR fan loyalty booth, and more. For more on elite seats, visit https://pbr.com/elite-seats-unleash-the-beast, or call (800) 732, 1727.
Stay tuned to PBR.com for the full 2026 Velocity Tour schedule announcement along with the latest news and results. Be sure to follow the sport on all social media platforms at @PBR.
EVENT FAST FACTS
750 tons of dirt (1.5 million pounds) are brought in to transform Cross Insurance Center 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 75 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 live on the PBR App and a host of top line providers that carry PBR RidePass – the PBR’s flagship digital network.
Where is it happening?
515 Main St, Bangor, ME, United States, Maine 04401
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