PBR
Tampa

About PBR Tampa and the Unleash The Beast Tour

The Professional Bull Riders organization, founded in 1992 by 20 bull riders who pooled their resources to launch their own sport, has grown into one of the most successful and televised brands in pro sports. The PBR's elite tour, Unleash The Beast, features the top 35 bull riders in the world competing weekly at marquee arenas across the United States. Riders chase points throughout the regular season to qualify for the PBR World Finals each fall, where the World Champion is crowned and a multi-million-dollar bonus is awarded.

The Tampa stop on the 2027 Unleash The Beast tour falls on January 22 and 23, 2027 at Benchmark International Arena. The event marks only the second year PBR's premier tour has been in Tampa since the brand returned to the market after a 13-year absence. The 2026 return was a sellout success, with fans across Florida packing the arena both nights -- the 2027 event is expected to bring even more of the same energy.

Bull riding is judged on a 100-point scale across two performances. A successful ride requires the cowboy to stay on the bull for eight seconds while keeping his free hand off the animal. Half the score comes from the rider for form, control, and aggressiveness, and the other half comes from the bull for difficulty, bucking ability, and intensity. The top riders consistently score in the 86 to 89 range, with championship-level rides hitting 90 and above. The famed bovine athletes -- bulls like Woopaa, Smooth Operator, Man Hater, and Speckles -- are stars in their own right, with riders selecting their bulls in a draw before each event.

Tampa is a natural fit for PBR. Florida is home to the Florida Freedom, one of the PBR Teams franchises in the league's growing eight-month team-based competition. While the Unleash The Beast stop in January is part of the individual world standings season rather than the Teams series, the Florida fan base brings a regional pride to every PBR event held in the state. Expect a heavy contingent of cowboy hats, Bass Pro Shops gear, and Florida cheer sections at both nights.

Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena) is the home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning and one of the busiest entertainment venues in the Southeast. Built in 1996 and significantly renovated in 2012 and 2025, the arena seats about 19,000 fans for hockey and basketball, and can accommodate larger floor-style events with dirt installation for PBR. The location at 401 Channelside Drive puts the arena steps from the Tampa Riverwalk, the Florida Aquarium, and the Sparkman Wharf dining district. The Channelside neighborhood is a popular pre- and post-event destination for restaurants, bars, and waterfront drinks.

The Friday and Saturday format mirrors most PBR Unleash The Beast events. Round 1 happens Friday night, with all riders attempting their first bull. Saturday night opens with Round 2 (a second bull for all riders), followed by the Championship Round, where the top 15 riders from the weekend qualify to ride a final premier bull for the event title and the largest share of the prize purse. Expect roughly two and a half hours each night, plus an in-arena entertainment package featuring live music, fireworks, sponsor activations, and a meet-and-greet experience for younger fans through the Young Bucks Kids Club.

What makes a PBR event special is the way the sport feels both ancient and brand new. Bull riding traces back to American cattle ranching traditions of the 1800s, but the PBR production wraps it in a modern pro sports presentation -- LED rigs, pyro, walkout videos, in-arena hosts, sponsor activations, and live broadcasts on CBS and CBS Sports Network. The result is a night out that works for hardcore rodeo families, sports fans looking for something new, and date-night couples who have never been to a bull ride before. The 8-second clock is the most universal pressure cooker in any sport.

How to Buy PBR Tampa Tickets

Where can I buy PBR Tampa tickets?

Tickets are available through the Benchmark International Arena box office and authorized primary sellers like Ticketmaster, as well as the official PBR Tampa event page. Verified resale tickets for both nights are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees and a 100 percent buyer guarantee on every order.

When is PBR Tampa 2027?

PBR Unleash The Beast Tampa takes place on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2027 at Benchmark International Arena. Both nights kick off at 7:45 PM Eastern Time, with doors typically opening ninety minutes before showtime. Check the listings above for current ticket availability on both nights.

What is the difference between Friday and Saturday night?

Friday night is Round 1, where all 35 riders attempt their first bull of the weekend. Saturday night opens with Round 2 (a second bull for all riders), followed by the Championship Round, where the top 15 riders from the combined Round 1 and Round 2 scores compete on a premier bull for the event title and the largest share of the prize purse. Saturday night is the more dramatic of the two, but both nights are full PBR productions.

What should I know about Benchmark International Arena?

Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena) is located at 401 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa, in the Channelside district. The arena seats roughly 19,000 fans for major events and is the home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. Multiple parking garages are within a few blocks of the venue, and the TECO Line Streetcar System stops at Channelside. The neighborhood is full of pre- and post-event restaurants and bars.

How does bull riding scoring work?

Each ride is scored on a 100-point scale across two performances by four judges. The rider can earn up to 50 points for his form, control, and aggressiveness over the 8-second ride. The bull can earn up to 50 points for difficulty, bucking ability, and intensity. The two scores are added together. Top riders consistently hit 86 to 89, and a 90-plus score is considered championship-level. The cowboy must stay on for the full 8 seconds with his free hand off the bull to earn any score.

Are resale tickets from BigStub legitimate?

Yes. BigStub has been a trusted secondary ticket marketplace for more than 20 years and holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the resale industry. Every order is backed by a 100 percent buyer guarantee that protects against fraudulent or undelivered tickets, and there are no hidden service fees added at checkout. If the event is canceled and not rescheduled, customers receive a full refund through the BigStub guarantee program.

What if I can no longer attend?

If your plans change after purchasing tickets through BigStub, you can list them for resale through the BigStub seller marketplace. Customer service can walk you through the process, and the resale fee structure is clearly listed on the site. Refunds for personal scheduling changes are not available, so list early if you need to recoup the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PBR coming to Tampa in 2027?

Yes. PBR Unleash The Beast Tampa takes place at Benchmark International Arena on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2027, with both nights kicking off at 7:45 PM Eastern Time. The two-night event is part of the PBR's elite Unleash The Beast tour and features the top 35 bull riders in the world. Check the listings above for available tickets.

What is PBR Unleash The Beast?

PBR Unleash The Beast is the elite tour of the Professional Bull Riders organization, featuring the top 35 ranked bull riders in the world. Each event awards championship points toward qualifying for the PBR World Finals each fall, where the World Champion is crowned and a multi-million-dollar bonus is awarded. The tour stops at major arenas across the United States from January through May each year.

Who are the top PBR riders to watch?

Recent world champions and top-ranked riders frequently competing on the Unleash The Beast tour include Jose Vitor Leme, Kaique Pacheco, Cooper Davis, Cassio Dias, Eduardo Aparecido, and rising stars from the rookie ranks. The full daysheet for Tampa is set the day of each event, when riders draw their bulls. Check the official PBR site for the most current rider rosters and standings.

How long is a PBR event?

Each PBR Unleash The Beast performance runs about two and a half hours from doors through the final ride. The Friday night Round 1 features all 35 riders attempting their first bull, and the Saturday night Championship Performance includes Round 2 plus a Championship Round for the top 15. Both nights include in-arena entertainment, live music, and full pyro and lighting production.

How much do PBR Tampa tickets cost?

Prices vary by section, night, and demand. Friday night Round 1 tickets are typically more accessible than Saturday's Championship Performance, but both nights offer a wide range of price points from upper bowl to dirt-side floor seats. Check the listings above for current pricing on BigStub, where verified resale tickets are available with no hidden fees added at checkout.

Where is Benchmark International Arena?

Benchmark International Arena, formerly Amalie Arena, is located at 401 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa, Florida, in the Channelside district. The arena is the home of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, seats approximately 19,000 fans for major events, and is one of the busiest entertainment venues in the Southeast. The location puts it steps from the Tampa Riverwalk and Sparkman Wharf.

What is the difference between Friday and Saturday night?

Friday night is Round 1, where all 35 riders attempt their first bull. Saturday night opens with Round 2 (a second bull for all riders), followed by the Championship Round, where the top 15 from the combined scores ride a premier bull for the event title. Saturday is the more dramatic of the two nights, but both nights are full Unleash The Beast productions.

How does PBR scoring work?

Each ride is scored on a 100-point scale by four judges. The rider can earn up to 50 points for form, control, and aggressiveness during the 8-second ride. The bull can earn up to 50 points for difficulty, bucking ability, and intensity. The two scores combine for the final ride score. Top riders consistently score 86 to 89, and a 90-plus score is considered championship-level.

Are PBR events family-friendly?

Yes. PBR Tampa is one of the most family-friendly major sports events of the year, with the Young Bucks Kids Club, in-arena entertainment, pyro and music, and an action format that holds the attention of younger fans. Children typically need their own ticket for entry, and Benchmark International Arena has dedicated family seating sections.

What is the Florida Freedom?

The Florida Freedom is the Florida-based franchise in the PBR Teams series, the eight-month team-based competition that runs separately from Unleash The Beast. While the Tampa Unleash The Beast event in January is not a Teams event, the Florida Freedom presence in the PBR brings a regional pride to every event held in the state.

Can I get a refund if PBR Tampa is canceled?

Yes. BigStub's 100 percent buyer guarantee covers refunds for events that are canceled and not rescheduled. If an event is postponed to a new date, your tickets typically remain valid for the rescheduled performance. Contact BigStub customer service for help with any specific situation.

What is the dress code at PBR Tampa?

There is no formal dress code -- the PBR crowd ranges from full Western wear (cowboy hats, boots, and pearl-snap shirts) to casual sports fan attire. Anything appropriate for an indoor arena event works. Layers are recommended, since arena climate control can run cool throughout the night.

How do I get to Benchmark International Arena?

The arena is located at 401 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa. Multiple parking garages are within a few blocks of the venue, and the TECO Line Streetcar System stops at Channelside. Ride-share drop-off and pick-up zones are designated outside the arena. The Tampa Riverwalk and Sparkman Wharf are both within walking distance for pre- or post-event dining.

Will the event be on TV?

PBR Unleash The Beast events are typically broadcast on CBS Sports Network and CBS, with select rides streamed on the PBR's RidePass platform. Check your local listings closer to the event date for the most current broadcast schedule. The in-arena experience is the main draw, but the broadcast lets fans watching from home follow along.

How early should I arrive at the arena?

Doors typically open about ninety minutes before showtime. Plan to arrive at least an hour before the 7:45 PM start to allow time for security, parking, finding your seat, and grabbing concessions. The downtown Tampa Channelside district can get busy on event nights, so leaving extra travel time is a good idea.