“The PBR is very proud and excited to bring the World Cup to the USA for the very first time.  It has had record crowds in Australia, Mexico and Brazil.  We expect the same results here in America,” stated Randy Bernard, CEO of the Professional Bull Riders. “This event has become bigger than all expectations and the fierce competition between Brazil and USA has grown.  With the USA one up on Brazil, this year promises to be a fierce competition. It is very exciting for the entire city of Las Vegas to get behind this, along with the Academy of Country Music Awards. It promises to be one the best events we have produced in the USA.”

Five countries - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States - will go head-to-head to find out which country will take home bragging rights as the best bull riding nation in the world.  The winning team will also take home $200,000 in prize money.

A total of five riders from each country will compete in six rounds, two rounds per night, with the contestants riding in each round. Fans will get the chance to see 50 rides per night! Only the top three scores for each team will score in each round. Once all six rounds are complete, the team with the highest total score will be declared the winner. 

“I’m really excited that the World Cup is coming to the U.S.,” comments J.W Hart, Captain of Team U.S.A 2008. “It will be fun to finally have a home field advantage and a hometown crowd pulling for us. To have all of this going on, along with the ACM Awards, it will be a really exciting weekend! As far as any strategy for the U.S. team selection, I see no need to change what has been working, but I will say I hope Kody Lostroh is healthy come April!”

"Las Vegas is proud to be the first U.S. city to host the Professional Bull Riders World Cup," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. "The PBR and Las Vegas have been great partners for more than 15 years, and we believe there is no better destination to showcase the event.  We welcome the competitors and fans of the PBR World Cup."

Las Vegas visitors can always count on enjoying a host of unique amenities that the city has to offer. Guests of the city can take their pick of numerous luxury resorts as well as catch sizzling entertainment, not to mention world class dining and shopping. The mood of Las Vegas is electrifying thanks to its legendary gaming, celebrated shows, and signature entertainers. In addition to headliner entertainment and distinctive shopping and dining experiences, Vegas consistently hosts marquee sporting events such as the Professional Bull Riders World Cup.

For more information on the 2009 PBR World Cup presented by Dickies, please contact Briana Stensrud at 719.242.2800 or bstenstrud@pbrnow.com.

###

About the PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, VERSUS and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 400 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one and one half million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., and has over 1,200 PBR bull riders compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.