PUEBLO, Colo. - The Professional Bull Riders announced the release of the first half of its nationally-televised 2013 Built Ford Tough Series schedule today. 

The PBR will celebrate 20 years of competition in 2013. In just two decades, the dream of 20 cowboys has harnessed the raw power of bull riding and transformed a county-fair spectacle into a worldwide sports and entertainment phenomenon. More than 100 million viewers watch primetime PBR programming annually on networks around the world and nearly two million fans attend BFTS and Touring Pro Division events each year. PBR has awarded over $120 million dollars in prize money through 20 years of competition, including a $1 million dollar bonus to the PBR World Champion each year.

"Celebrating 20 years of PBR competition is a momentous occasion for us," PBR Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth said. "Two decades of hard work and one unified dream has altered the sport of bull riding in its entirety. It is something we couldn't have done without the support of our stock contractors, riders and loyal, passionate fans. We are very excited for the 2013 season and the future of PBR."

The BFTS schedule includes 26 stops in more than 15 states, featuring the world's best bull riders up against the roughest, toughest bucking bulls. The 2013 season will kick off at the world's most famous arena, New York's Madison Square Garden, Jan. 4-6, and will conclude in Las Vegas at the 2013 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, Oct. 23-27.

"Two decades of hard work and one unified dream has altered the sport of bull riding in its entirety."

Highlights of this year's schedule include the Ty Murray Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., the fourth-annual Iron Cowboy in Dallas and Last Cowboy Standing taking place in Las Vegas. The tour will also feature a stop in Louisville, Ky., after last being there in 2002. The Louisville event will take place at the KFC Yum! Center for the very first time. The 2013 season will also mark the PBR's 18^th consecutive year visiting Billings, Mont.

St. Louis, Mo., and Fresno, Calif., rejoin the BFTS schedule after appearing as stops on the tour in 2011. Tacoma, Wash., also returns as part of the 2013 season for the first time since 2009.

An additional 10 events in the second half of the season will be announced at a later date. For ticket and event information visit www.PBR.com.

2013 BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES SCHEDULE: FIRST HALF