Next month's Professional Bull Riders stop in Billings has been postponed, the organization announced Wednesday morning.
Billings, traditionally an April stop on tour, was set for a three-day PBR weekend next month at First Interstate Arena during Jan. 22-24. But due to the latest Yellowstone County COVID-19 health regulations, the PBR will reschedule. MTN Sports has learned the new dates will likely be in May, and the PBR updated the event schedule on its website to include a Billings stop May 14-16.
"The PBR, which led the sports world back to competition with trailblazing safety protocols following the COVID-19 shutdown, has announced it will return to its roots to start the 2021 season staging its top Unleash The Beast tour in historic outdoor venues in longstanding rodeo communities across the Southern United States," the group said in a media release.
However, 2021 events scheduled for Billings; Duluth, Georgia; Jacksonville, Florida; Oklahoma City; Indianapolis; Little Rock, Arkansas; St. Louis and New Orleans have been postponed.
PBR Unleash The Beast: American Roots Edition will travel to markets in Arizona, Texas, Florida and Louisiana to jump start its latest season.
“Bringing a retro presentation of PBR to iconic outdoor rodeo venues across the country furthers our commitment to putting safety first to keep our industry employed, helping open communities responsibly, and providing fans the sport they love in the most exciting ways,” said PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason. “We’re looking forward to getting back to our roots by bringing the top western sport to our fans in legendary rodeo arenas.”
Pecos, Texas is recognized as the birthplace of organized rodeo beginning in 1883. Payson, Arizona, has hosted the longest continuous rodeo beginning in 1884.
"The PBR will implement the same protocols that enabled the sport to hold 20 safe and successful event weekends in the U.S. in 2020 --13 with fans in attendance -- and crown a champion on schedule in November," the release said. "Safety measures include medically testing athletes and crew, social distancing, wearing facial masks, and capping arena capacity to separate fans."
A limited number of tickets will be sold at each outdoor performance.
Fans will be able to watch PBR Unleash The Beast events on CBS Television Network and CBS Sports Network, with broadcast dates and times to be announced.
Scheduled PBR 2021 dates:
January 9-10 Tucson, AZ – Tucson Rodeo Grounds
January 16-17 Payson, AZ – Payson Rodeo Grounds
January 23-24 Pecos, TX – Buck Jackson Arena
January 30-31 Del Rio, TX – Val Verde County Fairgrounds
February 13-14 To be announced in Florida
February 20-21 To be announced in Florida
February 27-28 Longview, TX -- Longview Rodeo Arena
March 6-7 To be announced in Louisiana
