PBR’s ELITE “UNLEASH THE BEAST” TOUR CHARGES INTO BRIDGEPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – – For the first time in history, Bridgeport will host the most electrifying tour in Western sports as PBR’s premier series, Unleash The Beast, thunders into Total Mortgage Arena on February 27–28, 2025. While this marks PBR’s third visit to the city, it’s the debut appearance of the organization’s top-tier tour, bringing with it the world’s top bull riders, rankest bulls, and non-stop adrenaline for two nights only.
Bridgeport has hosted the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour the prior two seasons after making its city debut in spring 2024.
For two adrenaline-charged nights, the world’s top bull riders will go head-to-head against the toughest animal athletes on the planet in a series of jaw-dropping unpredictable 8-second battles. Known as America’s Original Extreme Sport, PBR delivers a non-stop action experience unlike anything else in sports and entertainment.
Ramon de Lima went 3-for-3 to win the Bridgeport Velocity Tour event in 2025 with an aggregate score of 238 points, besting out runner-up Aaron Williams by 13 points through two rounds and the championship finale. He tallied a 76-point ride against Double Nickle followed by a 78.5 points aboard Wildfire, punctuated by the highest score in the final round with 83.5 points against CoJo.
PBR Bridgeport will be the 11th event of the 18-event 2025-26 Unleash The Beast season, which showcases the top athletes in the sport, both human and bovine, with every second packed with grit, guts, and glory. Each stop on the tour counts toward qualifying for the prestigious PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.
In 2025, Unleash The Beast hosted more than 516,000 fans, including selling out 29 event days.
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 20 for the general public with options for VIP Elite Seats and combos as well.
Tickets can be purchased:
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At the Yale New Haven Health Box Office at Total Mortgage Arena.
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Online at Ticketmaster.com, PBR.com
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PBRewards Members can also call PBRDirect at 800-732-1727 or purchase via PBR.com
EVENT FAST FACTS
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750 tons of dirt (1.5 million pounds) are brought in to transform Total Mortgage Arena into a bull-riding mecca.
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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.
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It takes 7 semi-trucks to haul in the equipment for the event.
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A crew of about 30 works around the clock to prepare the venue.
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Over 50 of the rankest bucking bulls on the planet will be on site.
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PBR bulls are remarkable animal athletes born to buck. Each is a member of a special breed: The American Bucking Bull.
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By virtue of competing in PBR, they get the best food and care, avoiding a very brief career in the meat packing industry.
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The average PBR bull weighs 1,800 pounds.
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The average bull rider? Just 140 lbs.
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 you’re a seasoned PBR fan or new to the scene, PBR Bridgeport is an event that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat.
About PBR (Professional Bull Riders):
PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 1,000 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, and Canada. In 2022, the organization launched PBR Teams—10 teams of the world’s best bull riders competing for a new championship—as well as the PBR Challenger Series with more than 50 annual events nationwide. PBR events are broadcast on CBS Television Network, Paramount+, the CW Network, and FOX Nation. PBR is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, X at X.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
About Total Mortgage Arena
Located in Bridgeport, CT, Total Mortgage Arena is a 10,000-seat sports and entertainment arena that hosts over 130 live events every year including family shows, sporting events, and concerts. The arena is home to the Bridgeport Islanders, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. Total Mortgage Arena is proudly managed by Oak View Group. For more information visit TotalMortgageArena.com.
For more information contact:
Taylor Riemersma – TRiemersma@pbr.com