Visiting eight of the 20 largest markets in the United States, the Professional Bull Riders announced their 2011 elite Built Ford Tough Series schedule that will make 28 stops in 23 states beginning Jan. 7–9 in New York City.

Featuring the top bull riders in the world and the fiercest bucking bulls on the planet, the BFTS travels to 20 of the largest television markets, including the top three with New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

“The 2011 Built Ford Tough Series schedule sets the stage for the continued growth of our sport and the PBR brand,” said PBR Chief Global Events Officer David Cordovano. “We are excited to be returning to the Pacific Northwest and the great fans in Portland and Seattle as well as adding key stops throughout the country including Chicago, Charlotte and Indianapolis.”

The season begins at world famous Madison Square Garden, which hosted three sellout crowds in a row in 2010. It concludes Oct. 26–30 in Las Vegas with the PBR World Finals and the crowning of the 2011 PBR World Champion, who receives the largest single payout of any bull riding event in the world and a $1 million bonus.

The PBR will make its first trip to the United Center in Chicago on Mar. 5–6, and Milwaukee, Wis., will host its inaugural BFTS event on Sept. 9–10. The PBR is back in Indianapolis after more than 10 years on Jan. 29–30, and visits Key Arena in Seattle for the first time on Apr. 29–30.

After setting one-day records for largest crowd (46,500) and largest payout ($260,000) on Feb. 20, 2010, the PBR heads back to Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 19 for a special one-day event.

J.B. Mauney and Shane Proctor of Mooresville, N.C. will be competing only 30 miles from home when the BFTS visits Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, N.C. on Sept. 30–Oct. 1.

“It is always more exciting when all your family and friends can be there,” said Mauney, who is ranked third in the BFTS standings. “I was leading going into the last day when we were there in 2007, but didn’t win so I want to win there next year.”

It will be less than an hour for Ross Coleman to travel from Molalla, Ore. to compete at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. on Feb. 4–5 and for Travis Briscoe to drive from Edgewood, N.M. to Albuquerque and the world-famous Pit on Mar. 25–27.

Oklahomans will be able to cheer home state favorites Austin Meier of Kinta, Ryan McConnel of Coalgate, L.J. Jenkins of Porum and Cord McCoy of Ada in Oklahoma City on Feb. 11–13 and at Tulsa on Aug. 12–13.

“Oklahoma City and Tulsa are definitely two events that I want to win every year,” said Meier, who is currently the top-ranked rider in the world. “They are also special because it is nice to know that all your family and friends can be there rooting for you in person instead of watching on TV.”

Tickets for the first 19 events will be available to PBR Fan Club members beginning Oct. 1. Tickets will be on sale to the general public on an event-by-event basis. For ticket availability and information, please visit www.PBR.com and select the event.

About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 100 million viewers annually watch over 400 hours of primetime PBR programming on VERSUS, NBC, CBS and networks around the world. The PBR has awarded over $100 million in prize money, and 20 riders have earned over $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million – the most of any western-sports athlete in history. The PBR was nominated as 2010 Sports League of the Year at the Sports Business Journal Sports Business Awards, alongside the National Football League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Nearly 2 million fans attend Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division events each year. For more information on the PBR, go to www.pbr.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamPBR and http://twitter.com/TEAMPBR.

2011 PBR Built Ford Tough Series Schedule