Now, with the Rattlers tied for third in the 2025 standings and the Gamblers holding steady at No. 2, the stakes could not be higher. If the playoffs started today, both teams would have a first-round bye.

For Texas, defending its perfect home record is non-negotiable. The Rattlers are the only team in PBR Teams history to remain undefeated at home across three straight seasons – an impeccable 9-0 record. That streak, their playoff seeding and a chance at a coveted first-round bye in Las Vegas all hang in the balance this weekend.

For Austin, Saturday offers the chance to put the rivalry on ice. The Gamblers enter Dickies Arena leading the 2025 Texas Cup series two games to one. A win would give them the outright Cup and another statement victory over their in-state rivals. But there’s a catch: the Gamblers have never beaten the Rattlers on their home dirt.

Then again, no one else has, either.

What’s on the Line

Texas Rattlers

• Must win Saturday night’s game to keep their Texas Cup hopes alive.

• To claim the Cup outright, they must win by at least 170 points — the equivalent of two 85-point rides.

• A first-round bye in Las Vegas remains within reach if they stay perfect at home.

Austin Gamblers

• Currently lead the Texas Cup series 2–1.

• With a win Saturday, they take the Cup outright.

• The defending champions continue to hunt for momentum heading into the postseason as they vie to become the first team to win back-to-back league titles.

The Road to Saturday

Results from the first three games of the 2025 Texas Cup:

Duluth – Texas 342.50, Austin 253.75

Totals – Texas 512.25, Austin 682.00

A Rivalry Born of Champions

• 2023: Austin Gamblers finish No. 1 in the regular season, but the Texas Rattlers claim the league championship.

• 2024: The Texas Cup rivalry is officially established. The Rattlers win the inaugural Cup 3–1, while Austin answers by taking the league title.

• 2025: Both teams remain among the league’s elite. Heading into Rattler Days, Austin leads the Cup series 2–1. The Rattlers must protect their dirt and win big to reclaim the trophy.

If we look closely at these rosters and the way they’ve performed over the last four seasons, the depth and drama of this rivalry comes into sharp focus. Both teams have gone a perfect five-for-five in games during league history, but Texas stands alone as the only franchise to have done it three times. That kind of firepower underscores why Saturday could produce one of the most dramatic games in league history.

For the Rattlers, production from the middle of the lineup will be crucial. Brady Fielder, one of the most effective lead-off men in league history, sets the tone, while Daniel Keeping anchors the squad. If Texas can get steady rides out of its third, fourth and fifth slots, the team has the talent to overwhelm any opponent – especially at home.

On the other side, the Gamblers arrive with a roster that still reads like a Hall of Fame ballot, even with José Vitor Leme sidelined on injured reserve until at least Glendale. The three-time and reigning PBR world champion and two-time league MVP remains the heart of the roster, but his absence shifts the weight onto the rest of the lineup. The legendary Sage Steele Kimzey, a seven-time PRCA world champion, alongside Dalton Kasel — “Mr. 90 Points” of this generation — and 2018 PBR world champion Kaique Pacheco, give Austin no shortage of firepower. Under head coach Michael Gaffney, the Gamblers are still among the most stacked teams in the league on paper.

But what makes this matchup even more compelling is the man steering the ship: head coach Cody Lambert. Known for his fiery style and tactical mastery, Lambert is arguably the best at using the challenge flag in the league. His ability to get the most out of his roster, even in pressure-packed situations, is second to none.

Both teams have stuck to similar lineups throughout the season, with only minor changes from week to week. That means the outcome could hinge less on who takes the dirt and more on what bulls they draw. This is bull country, after all — and whether the game comes down to bull count or total score, it will take every ounce of grit to come out on top.

The Texas Cup has never been just another series. Every ride between these two franchises carries the weight of history. For Texas, Saturday is about survival — protecting its house, extending its undefeated streak and clawing toward a first-round bye. For Austin, it’s about supremacy — closing out the Cup, defending its championship pedigree and proving it can finally conquer Dickies Arena.

If you can’t make it to Fort Worth this weekend, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Click here for the full PBR broadcast schedule of the Texas Cup and all the action across the Camping World Team Series.

Beyond the Dirt

The Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation is carrying forward the same spirit of resilience seen in bull riding — but in a way that changes lives off the dirt. The foundation provides access to the Action Trackchair, a groundbreaking all-terrain wheelchair designed to give people with mobility challenges the freedom to experience the outdoors without limits.

But here’s the harsh truth: no insurance will cover these life-changing pieces of equipment, and their hefty $25,000 price tag puts them out of reach for the very people who need them most. That is why the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists — to bridge that gap and make the impossible possible. Because you can’t put a price on freedom, independence and living life to the fullest.

Whether it’s navigating rough pastures, rolling through wooded trails, or simply enjoying time with family in places a standard wheelchair can’t reach, the Action Trackchair opens doors to a level of independence many thought was lost. It’s not just equipment — it’s freedom, dignity and the chance to live fully.

Just as PBR athletes push themselves to conquer challenges eight seconds at a time, the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation helps others overcome obstacles of their own, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to the Western lifestyle and the outdoors.

To learn more — and to be part of helping someone reclaim that freedom — visit www.moafoundation.org.