Over the course of the two-day event in March, 35 top riders will appear in two full rounds, taking on some of the sport’s toughest bulls. After two rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores will take on one final bull for a chance at the event title.

The riders will battle for crucial points toward the Velocity Global Standings, which determine qualification for the season-ending Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, Texas, on May 1–2. At the Velocity Tour Finals, one rider will be crowned the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion, and five riders not already qualified will earn coveted spots to compete at the PBR World Finals, beginning May 7 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.

Melvin Byler won the Reading event during the 2025 campaign after recording an 86-point ride on Smooth Criminal to edge out Alisson De Souza and Eduardo de Oliveira. Michael Lane took home the event title in 2024 after Grayson Cole won the debut event in 2023.

The two-day event at Santander Arena, featuring some of the best riders in the country, begins on Friday, March 6, at 8 p.m. ET, and Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m. ET.

The Velocity Tour has emerged over the past decade as PBR’s fastest-growing tour, experiencing strong attendance growth and reaching fans in 97 cities across the U.S. In 2025, the Velocity Tour hosted more than 370,000 fans, including selling out 18 event days.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased:

• At the Santander Arena Box Office

• Online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com

• PBRewards Members can also call PBRDirect at 800-732-1727 or purchase via PBR.com

Event Fast Facts

• 750 tons of dirt (1.5 million pounds) are brought in to transform Santander Arena 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 to protect riders when thrown.

• It takes seven semi-trucks to haul in the equipment for the event.

• A crew of about 30 works around the clock to prepare the venue.

• Over 50 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 receive the best food and care, avoiding a very brief career in the meatpacking industry.

• The average PBR bull weighs 1,800 pounds.

• The average bull rider weighs just 140 pounds.

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 a seasoned PBR fan or new to the scene, PBR Reading is an event that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat.