Arizona to host Professional Bull Riders championship in 2027

The 2027 PBR World Finals: Championship is bucking its way into the Valley.

Professional Bull Riders, in partnership with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, announced Wednesday that the event will be held at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale from May 20-23, 2027.

It comes on the heels of a multi-year partnership announced earlier this week between TKO Group Holdings, Inc. and the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance to bring high-profile live events to the Grand Canyon State.

Tickets for the 2027 championship weekend are already on sale.

“Arizona is a proven championship stage – home to Super Bowls, College Football Playoff games, and the Fiesta Bowl – and a strong market for PBR,” PBR CEO and Commissioner Sean Gleason said in a press release.

Gleason noted that the PBR has held premier events at Desert Diamond Arena for more than a decade.

The West Valley has also become a stronghold for the sport since the Glendale-based Arizona Ridge Riders were established as one of the league’s founding PBR Teams franchises in 2022.

“Bringing our championship weekend to Glendale puts our sport on that same world-class platform,” Gleason said.

The PBR World Finals has a history of calling iconic venues home, having stayed in Las Vegas from 1994 until 2021 before moving to Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022.

While the ultimate title will be awarded in Glendale, Texas isn’t losing its grip on the event entirely. The opening rounds of the 2027 World Finals will still take place at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth from May 6-9 before the top riders and bulls head west to Arizona to crown a champion.

Jay Parry, president and CEO of the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, said Glendale and the broader Arizona market provide the perfect backdrop for the high-octane event.

“We look forward to welcoming the world’s top riders, bulls and fans while further showcasing our state as a premier destination for major live sports and entertainment events,” Parry said in the release.

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