COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 27, 2026) — The United States Space Force (USSF) and PBR (Professional Bull Riders) are uniting this June for a landmark America 250 celebration. PBR Space Cowboys Presented by the U.S. Space Force will bring elite team bull riding and a live concert by Grammy Award-winning superstar Tim McGraw and multi-platinum country star Chris Janson to Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on June 20.

This first-of-its-kind event is designed to connect the American public directly with the Space Force Guardians and their mission. The US Space Force is a critical, active war-fighting branch of the U.S. military that protects the space-based capabilities Americans rely on every single day.

PBR Space Cowboys will feature 30 of the world’s top bull riders, divided into three teams of 10, each representing a distinct Space Force Operational unit. Riders chosen by team captains in a draft will match up against the rankest bucking bulls in high-intensity, 8-second matchups. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Thursday, April 30 at noon MT and can be purchased at PBR.com/SpaceCowboys.

The U.S. Space Force is a real, active war-fighting service standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines as a critical part of the Joint Force. While the Space Force’s domain is beyond the atmosphere, its impact is felt by every American on the ground, including GPS navigation, satellites enabling cell phones, synchronizing power grids, and securing global financial transactions. Partnering with PBR allows Space Force to share its mission with a patriotic, hardworking audience.

“We’re proud to partner with the United States Space Force for this historic America 250 event,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of PBR. “Cowboys helped tame America’s last physical frontier; today, Space Force Guardians stand watch over the frontier of space. Both bull riders and Guardians embody grit, discipline, and the drive to push beyond the known. This event celebrates that shared spirit – honoring American pride, spotlighting the technology that keeps our nation secure, and delivering an unforgettable night of patriotic entertainment.”

To transform Falcon Stadium into a world-class bull riding venue, PBR will truck in approximately four million pounds of specialized dirt to cover roughly 30,000 square feet, along with a full-scale production of lighting, sound, and video infrastructure that will expand the venue well beyond a traditional elite tour stop.

Connecting the grit of Western sports with the cutting edge of American space capability, the PBR Unleash The Beast World Championship belt buckle will make history on May 3. Launching by USSF Space Systems Command, aboard a LEAP Space rocket from the Mojave Desert in California, it will mark the first time a PBR championship belt buckle has flown to space. The buckle will return to Earth the same day and ultimately be presented to the 2026 PBR World Champion.

This milestone spaceflight also signals the official launch of the USSF’s “Letters to Space” campaign, a nationwide initiative inviting the American public to submit personal messages that will be sent beyond Earth’s atmosphere aboard future rocket missions. Thousands of letters from across the country will be collected at Space Force-supported events, anchored by the Space Cowboys event on June 20.

Festivities kick off at 1 p.m. on June 20 with a family-friendly activation zone in the stadium plaza. The zone will offer interactive exhibits highlighting U.S. Space Force capabilities, fun activities, and live entertainment celebrating America’s military and space heritage. Highlights include live music throughout the afternoon, featuring chart-topping hit-makers to be announced, and superstar Jeremy McGrath headlining Monster Energy’s motocross activation.

Throughout the main bull riding event, the night will feature military tributes to be announced, including:
• Thrilling flyovers
• Parachute landing directly into the arena
• Surprise activations honoring the men and women who serve the nation
• A spectacular large-scale drone show lighting up the Colorado sky—a high-tech finale worthy of the U.S. Space Force.

Additional musical performances leading up to the bull riding competition will be announced at a later date. Tickets are available starting at $31 (inclusive of all fees) for maximum affordability. The event will be broadcast on FOX Nation on June 20 at a time to be announced.