Professional Bull Riders’ Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Bucks Back to Wichita, Kansas for Ninth Time April 22, 2023
Wichita, Kansas – For the ninth time in history, PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour will buck into Wichita, Kansas, returning to INTRUST Bank Arena on April 22, 2023 with the PBR Wichita Invitational.
For one night only, some of the best bull riders in the world will battle the sport’s rankest bovine athletes in the ultimate showdown of man vs. beast in one of the most exciting live sporting events to witness.
During the 2023 season, the PBR will celebrate its 30th anniversary since 20 cowboys broke away from the traditional rodeo with the belief that bull riding could be a standalone sport. Since their trailblazing initiative, the PBR has grown into a global phenomenon awarding nearly $300 million in prize money.
The upcoming PBR Wichita Invitational will mark the 26th event of the new individual season for the PBR’s expansion series. Eventgoers will watch on as riders vie for crucial points in the race to be crowned the 2023 PBR Velocity Tour Champion.
When PBR last travelled to Wichita in April 2022, Canadian young gun Griffin Smeltzer (Claresholm, Alberta, Canada) reached a crucial career milestone, delivering a flawless 2-for-2 effort to earn his first victory on the organization’s expansion series.
Smeltzer was sensational as the event got underway in Round 1. Drawing Jingle and Go (JQH Bucking Bulls – Skip & Elaine Jones), he reached the requisite 8 for 86 points.
Advancing to the championship round fifth on the event leaderboard, Smeltzer next readied to climb aboard Axel Surgeon (Halpain Bucking Bulls). In perfect timing with his animal athlete counterpart, Smeltzer brought the raucous crowd to its feet as covered Axel Surgeon for a championship round-best 86.5 points to clinch the event victory.
For his efforts, Smeltzer earned a crucial 38 world points, catapulting him 13 positions in the world standings from No. 64 to No. 51.
Other past PBR Wichita Invitational event winners include: Michael Lane (2021 – Tazewell, Virginia); Daylon Swearingen (2019 – Piffard, New York); Ouncie Mitchell (2018 – Fresno, Texas); Cody Heffernan (2017 – Singleton, New South Wales, Australia); Nevada Newman (2016 – Melstone, Montana); Cody White Tyler (2015 – Talala, Oklahoma); and Juan Alonzo (2014 – Weslaco, Texas).
On Saturday evening, all 40 competing riders will attempt one bull each in Round 1. Following the opening round, the Top 15 will then advance to the championship round where they will attempt one final bull, all in an effort to be crowned the event champion.
Tickets for the one-day event go on sale Friday, November 11 at 10:00 a.m. CT, and start at $15, taxes and fees not included. Tickets can be purchased online at selectaseat.com, PBR.com, by phone at 855-755-SEAT, in person at the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
PBR Elite Seats are available for avid fans who want an exclusive VIP experience while enjoying one of the world’s top bull riding circuits. These tickets, available in three tiers, offer premium seats, personal on-site concierge at the PBR fan loyalty booth, on-the-dirt photo available for digital download following the event, $10 concession voucher and souvenir credential and lanyard.
Priced at $145 is the PBR Plus Seats and $185 is the PBR VIP Elite Seats. In addition to the above benefits, the VIP Elite Seats also include a pre-event, backstage tour by some of the PBR’s top riders, stock contractors and personnel.
Available at $235, the PBR Premier Elite Seats, which will offer the best views in the venue, will also include limited-edition 30th anniversary season hat and a pre-event tour.
For more information about the PBR and to see the full 2023 PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour schedule, visit PBR.com.