OCEAN CITY, Md. – For the third consecutive season, the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Series will buck into Ocean City, Maryland, again welcoming fans to the Ocean City Inlet on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean May 31-June 2 for the PBR Ocean City SEACRETS Classic.
For three days 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 a series showcasing one of the most exciting live sporting events to witness.
“Ocean City is thrilled to welcome back PBR to the beach,” said Richard Meehan, Mayor of Ocean City. “This adrenaline-pumping event had great success the past two years and we are excited to bring the competition back. Get ready to witness the ultimate showdown of strength, skill and courage right here in Ocean City, where the action never stops!”
"We're excited to have PBR return for the third year in a row,” said Tom Perlozzo, Director of Tourism and Business Development for Ocean City. “Hosting this event adds excitement to our community and sets the stage for a great start to summer. PBR consistently delivers an unforgettable experience, and we're proud to feature our city as the venue for this electrifying event."
“There’s something very special about bulls at the beach, making Ocean City one of our tour’s most popular stops coast to coast,” said Sean Gleason, Commissioner and CEO, PBR. “The past two years we’ve hosted capacity crowds in the Ocean City Inlet and are thrilled to come back for the third straight year.”
The PBR Ocean City SEACRETS Classic is held at one of the most captivating venues across the entire 2024 PBR schedule. In addition to Ocean City being one of the most travelled to vacation destinations on the east coast, the Ocean City Inlet is nestled between the city’s renowned boardwalk and family-friendly beaches.
Tickets for the three-day event are on sale now, and start at $40, taxes and fees not included. Tickets can be purchased online at ETIX.com and PBR.com, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
Three-day and two-day ticket packages are available, offering fans a 20% discount on select price levels.
The PBR Challenger Series will hold more than 60 events from May-October, culminating with its Championship in late October in Las Vegas. The PBR Challenger Series provides additional competitive opportunities for bull riders who are both affiliated and unaffiliated with a PBR Teams league team.
The PBR debuted at the picturesque Ocean City Inlet in June 2022, as 40 of the world’s best bull riders competed within feet of the Atlantic Ocean.
Backed by a 2-for-4 showing, Eduardo de Oliveira (Nova Lacerda, Brazil) emerged the supreme competitor, winning his career-first PBR event. Oliveira earned 34.5 Challenger Series points, propelling him to No. 3 in the series standings. When the season came to a climactic end, Oliveira finished the campaign ranked No. 29.
The 2022 season for the Challenger Series was dominated by 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) who won two events and finished third at the Challenger Series Championship in Las Vegas to be crowned the inaugural Challenger Series Champion.
When the Challenger Series returned to Ocean City in 2023, Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil) dominated, winning the PBR Ocean City SEACRETS Classic and cracking the Top 10 in the tour’s standings. Compliments of the victory, Cerqueira netted 128 Challenger Series points, vaulting to No. 7 in the series standings. When the season concluded, Cerqueira, who logged four additional Top 10 efforts, finished No. 10 in the series standings.
The 2023 Challenger Series Championship was won by Alan de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) who edged teenage phenom and runner-up John Crimber (Decatur, Texas) by a mere 27.33 points. Souza’s season was headlined by a torrid six event victories, in addition to an accompanying 13 Top-10 finishes.
The bull riding action for the 2024 PBR Challenger Series’ Ocean City SEACRETS Classic, begins at 6 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 21 and Saturday, June 1, and 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 2.
All competing bull riders will get on one bull each in Rounds 1-3. Following Round 3 Sunday afternoon, the riders’ individual three-round scores will be totaled with the Top 10 advancing to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title.
For more information about the PBR and to see the full 2024 PBR Challenger Series schedule, visit PBR.com.
