CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The top bull riders and remarkable animal athletes of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Series will visit John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia, for the second time as a Challenger event on Friday, September 19, 2025.  
 
For one night only, some of the top bull riders in the world will battle the sport’s rankest animal athletes in David vs. Goliath matchups, promising a night Virginia state fans will not soon forget.  
 
The PBR Challenger Series consists of 54 events traveling to 20 states across the United States, culminating with its Championship in late October in Las Vegas. The PBR Challenger Series provides additional competitive opportunities for bull riders who are both affiliated and unaffiliated with a team in the PBR Teams league, which runs adjacent to the Challenger Series. 
 
In 2024, when PBR was last in Charlottesville, 27-year-old Matt Allgood (Saline, Michigan) collected his first event win. 
 
Allgood first landed on the leaderboard in Round 1 earlier in the one-night event, with a fifth-place finish after making the whistle aboard Snap Dancer for 69 points. 
 
Going into the Championship Round with high hopes the talented Michigan athlete was paired with Donkey. Allgood was successful in this matchup, becoming the only man to go 2-for-2 with an impressive 83 point ride, and walking away with the Charlottesville buckle.   

Riders just like Allgood from around the world will attempt to win at the 2025 event in hopes of climbing the Challenger standings. All 35 competing bull riders will get on one bull each in Friday’s opening Round 1, followed by the Top 10 advancing to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title. 
 
The top talent of the series will take to the dirt at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, September 19. Tickets range in price from $20 to $103. 
 
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 three tiers, offer premium seats, personal on-site concierge at the PBR fan loyalty booth, and more. 
 
Tickets and premium packages can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, the John Paul Jones Arena box office, PBR.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.  
 
For more information about the PBR and the 2025 PBR Challenger Series schedule, or to purchase tickets, visit PBR.com. 

Photo courtesy of Andre Silva/Bull Stock Media