PBR New York: The 2026 PBR Unleash The Beast season rolls on this weekend in New York City, as the world’s best riders and rankest bulls converge on Madison Square Garden for PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden presented by Ariat. Following a sold-out debut weekend at TD Garden in Boston, the tour heads straight into another iconic arena, marking PBR’s 19th visit to “The World’s Most Famous Arena” and the fourth stop of the 2026 season.
Action begins Friday, Jan. 9, at 7:45 p.m. ET, continues Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:45 p.m. ET, and concludes Sunday, Jan. 11, at 1:45 p.m. ET. All rounds will stream live on Paramount+, with a special one-hour Monster Energy Team Challenge broadcast airing Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
New York marks the final stop before the first rider cut of the 2026 season, raising the pressure across the standings. Following this weekend, the five lowest-ranked riders on the Unleash The Beast tour will be cut, with their positions filled by riders advancing from the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour.
With Madison Square Garden hosting its 19th PBR event, and the Monster Energy Team Challenge launching its season at this stop, every out carries added weight. Riders near the cutline will be fighting to survive, while those at the top aim to solidify early control of the title race in one of the sport’s most historic venues.
REMATCH RECAP
Round 1 in New York brings a slate of familiar foes back together as Madison Square Garden sets the stage for 10 notable rematches. Afonso Quintino and Hoobastank meet for the second time this season after combining for 82.15 points in Manchester, a matchup that resulted in a re-ride opportunity, while Andrew Alvidrez looks to recreate magic against Nobody after the pair teamed up for a monster 92.50-point score in Indianapolis in February 2025.
Claudio Montanha Jr. seeks his first qualified ride on Feel The Magic after being bucked off in 2.99 seconds during Thunder Days, while Daniel Keeping and Rockville square off again following a previous re-ride opportunity. John Crimber is out for redemption against Holy Roller after being bucked off in 2.38 seconds in Manchester, and Julio Cesar Marques reunites with Tulsa Time after the duo earned 88.75 points together in Albany in December 2024.
Elsewhere, Kaiden Loud and Snuggles resume a rivalry knotted at 1-1 after their most recent meeting ended in a quick buckoff, while Luciano De Castro draws OptiWize Mercy for the first time since August 2024. Sage Steele Kimzey looks to remain perfect against Blue Duck after riding the bull for 88.50 points in Belmont Park, New York, in September 2025, and Thiago Salgado aims to stay flawless against Ridin’ Salty following an 89.5-point score during Stampede Days in Nashville.
From high-profile bull rematches to the final event before the first rider cut, three days inside Madison Square Garden promise intensity from the opening gate, with all the action streaming live on Paramount+ and the Monster Energy Team Challenge debuting on CBS.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media