PUEBLO, Colo. – In more than 115 years as a mainstay in the Fort Worth Stockyards, Cowtown Coliseum has hosted a variety of events. Hell, just last year it played host to two of the three 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast stages.

From Mexico In Our Blood and Ultimate Bullfighters to the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, endless WRCA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) events and beyond, the old barn has seen it all at this point.

Well, most of it!

With the epic 5-on-5 circuit set to invade said historic grounds Thursday night for the first evening of PBR Teams: Rattler Days action, the legendary building is adding its first-ever PBR Camping World Team Series showdown to its steadily-growing resume.

RELATED: What to Watch For: Defending Champion Texas Rattlers red-hot ahead of homestand

It’s not just a weekend of firsts for the elegant structure by any means, as this weekend’s PBR Teams: Rattler Days celebration also marks the first time a team has been able to call two different buildings “home” in the same event.

It’s also the first time a PBR Teams event has started on a Thursday this season, with this weekend’s three-day showcase set to begin at 7:45 p.m. CT inside Cowtown Coliseum before the tour transitions its setup to the state-of-the-art Dickies Arena for Friday and Saturday night’s sessions.

The Rattlers, however, aren’t concerned about any of the hoopla or extracurriculars surrounding the big weekend. They’ll be present, signing autographs, shaking hands and checking all of the boxes as they welcome the community to one of the most old fashioned, bull riding towns out there.

But at the end of the day, they’re here to ride bulls.

Just like the league’s other nine teams set to round out the season.

Which includes the likes of the No. 1 Carolina Cowboys (who are set to enjoy a bye game on Thursday) and the No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws.

While eight squads will continue their battle to punch their respective tickets to T-Mobile Arena for next month’s 2024 PBR Teams Championship, the Cowboys and Outlaws have their own race to settle: The honors of claiming the 2024 PBR Teams regular season chip.

When it comes to advancing to the postseason, though, this weekend’s set of scenarios start and end with the Florida Freedom, who enter the showcase with a healthy 14-9 record and amongst a stunning six-game winning streak. Holding the best current odds of ensuring their spot in the 8-team playoff among teams yet to clinch, a win Thursday against the Arizona Ridge Riders would go a long way in assuring the red, white and blue team ends the regular season having achieved one of their biggest goals.

From there, it’s up to the Rattlers to take care of business, as Texas can make the most of their current No. 4 spot by picking up a couple of wins on home dirt.

The No. 5 Austin Gamblers and No. 6 Nashville Stampede, who have experienced their own roller-coaster campaigns, are the last two teams with promising hopes of avoiding the Ride In Round. But knowing how up and down the units have been in 2024 means they’re far from locked in. And when you consider they square off against each other on Thursday night means one of the teams will see their postseason likelihood dramatically increase at the end of night one and one of the squads will see their chances diminished a bit.

At the end of the day (weekend, really), everything comes down to what the league’s bottom four-ranked squads can accomplish. The Ridge Riders are on the brink of postseason elimination, but technically still alive in the No. 10 spot.

Teams ranked No. 7 to 9, aka the Missouri Thunder, New York Mavericks and Oklahoma Wildcatters, ultimately control their own destiny. Needing several wins alongside a little bit of help along the way, there are confirmed paths for each of these units to cause some chaos. The question remains: Who wants it most?

RELATED: Week 10 PBR Camping World Team Series power rankings

2024 PBR Camping World Team Series Standings:
1. Carolina Cowboys (16-6-1)2. Kansas City Outlaws (16-7)
3. Florida Freedom (14-9)
4. Texas Rattlers (12-11)
5. Austin Gamblers (11-12)
6. Nashville Stampede (11-12)
7. Missouri Thunder (10-14)
8. Oklahoma Wildcatters (9-14-1)
9. New York Mavericks (9-14)
10. Arizona Ridge Riders (7-16)

Lineups and draw are in for the 11th of 12 regular season showdowns, so we’re taking a closer look at Thursday night’s matchups, rematches and beyond, with some additional game preview insights, latest team transactions and everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s first slate of games!

With the 5-on-5 circuit set to invade Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 26-28, we’re breaking down starting lineups for Thursday night’s competition inside Cowtown Coliseum (With coverage set to begin at 8 p.m. CT via Merit Street).

PBR TEAMS: RATTLER DAYS STARTING LINEUPS

*Denotes a rematch

(9-14) New York Mavericks vs. (16-7) Kansas City Outlaws

*Leonardo Castro vs. Let’s Roll
Sandro Batista vs. Bookers Bandit
Mason Taylor vs. Phantom
*Koltin Hevalow vs. Baldy
Davi Henrique de Lima vs. Rip
Julio Cesar Marques vs. Lever Action
Hudson Bolton vs. Margin of Error
Brennon Eldred vs. Exodus
Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Ridgeway
*Cassio Dias vs. Down Payment

REMATCHES

Cassio Dias vs. Down Payment (88.25 points in Springfield, Missouri)
Koltin Hevalow vs. Baldy (85.25 points in Salt Lake City, Utah)
Leonardo Castro vs. Let’s Roll (6.68 seconds in Billings, Montana)

Mavericks vs. Outlaws Game Preview
These aren’t the No. 1 and No. 10 seeds meeting during the Rattler Days weekend-opener … but if the league ranked teams by their team’s combined aggregate score they certainly would be, as the Kansas City Outlaws are pacing the entire circuit with 5,186.5 points to the New York Mavericks’ league-lowest 2,410 (the fewest by nearly 800 points). So, when we say it would be one hell of an upset if the year one Mavericks were able to defeat the Outlaws Thursday night, it would be an understatement. That said, the Mavericks accomplished exactly that earlier this season during a 260.25-0 win during their homestand inside Barclays Center. Then again, that was a much different Outlaws squad at that point, so the first-ever PBR Teams game inside Cowtown Coliseum is set to thrill.

New York may not be bringing the spiciest roster or flashiest record into the Week 11 opener. But they’ve also traversed the waters of their first season decently well for a year one squad all things considered. Sure, they have a 9-14 slate, but they’ve been able to grind out enough close calls to keep themselves alive in the postseason race with just two regular season events remaining. Head Coach Kody Lostroh has recognized his group as a gritty bunch and they’ve been able to run with their “get the job done” approach for the most part. However, they’ll need to start stringing together some quality showings here over their final five games if they want to feel good about their odds, be it within the Ride In Round or the 2024 PBR Teams Championship itself, should they end the campaign ranked as a Top-6 contingent. Drawing the Outlaws to start that streak doesn’t pose things in their favor but they’ve been apart of several upsets throughout the season.

Kansas City, on the other hand, is looking to surpass the No. 1 Carolina Cowboys en route to racking up what would be their 17th win of the year (which would serve as the most on tour with Carolina getting a bye game Thursday night). They’ve been absolutely on fire the past month and continue to retain three riders in the Top 10 of the PBR Teams MVP race, with the likes of Sandro Batista, Cassio Dias and Koltin Hevalow each standing out in 2024. One of four teams mathematically still alive to earn the regular season title this season, J.W. Hart’s unit isn’t looking to rest up and relax over the home stretch. They want the No. 1 seed and they want quality outings contributing toward their guys’ respective MVP races, so fans can look for the Outlaws to keep their foot on the gas throughout this weekend’s action down south.

(7-16) Arizona Ridge Riders vs. (14-9) Florida Freedom

Nick Tetz vs. Rock ‘n Roll
Alex Cerqueira vs. Ridin’ Salty
Eduardo Aparecido vs. Vindicated
Lucas Martins Costa vs. Kodiac
*Dener Barbosa vs. John 14:6
*Yan Victor Cunha vs. Hay Ring
JaCauy Hale vs. Buckshot
Thiago Salgado vs. Mercy
*Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Cold Creek
John Crimber vs. Always Been Crazy

REMATCHES

Dener Barbosa vs. John 14:6 (89 points in Little Rock, Arkansas)
Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Cold Creek (7.14 seconds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 90 points in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Yan Victor Cunha vs. Hay Ring (87.5 points in Greensboro, North Carolina; 88 points in Greensboro, North Carolina)

TRANSACTIONS

The Arizona Ridge Riders placed Luciano De Castro on Injured Reserve from the Protected Roster.
The Arizona Ridge Riders placed Bruno Carvalho on the Protected Roster from the Reserve Roster.
The Florida Freedom signed Lucas Martins Costa to the Reserve Roster.

Ridge Riders vs. Freedom Game Preview
Just because the Arizona Ridge Riders are on the brink of postseason elimination does NOT mean they’re going to show up and roll over for the Florida Freedom Thursday night. In fact, knowing the group of men in that locker room, they’ll likely bring all the fire they can to the dirt inside Cowtown Coliseum during the opening night of PBR Teams: Rattler Days action. Seeing veteran Luciano De Castro placed on Injured Reserve certainly doesn’t help the team’s odds of picking up a late-season win as they look to keep their postseason hopes alive. Neither does drawing the No. 3-ranked team in the Freedom, either. Especially knowing John Crimber continues to lead the league’s MVP race in big fashion. The red, white and blue squad has the opportunity to officially clinch their own spot in the dramatic playoff gauntlet, courtesy of their 14-9 start to the season.

2024 just hasn’t been the year of the Ridge Rider, ever evident by the team’s 7-16 slate this time around. Previously the only team to compete on both Championship Sundays during the 2022 and 2023 PBR Teams Championships, they’ll likely need to make some noise during next month’s Ride In Round should they want a shot at continuing said trend. But before those worries creep in, they’re mathematically still alive to make a late-season run, albeit needing to win at least four of these last five games while getting some help from the pack. Set to compete for Arizona in just his second weekend of action since being activated from Injured Reserve, Dener Barbosa prepares to dance with John 14:6, who he bested for a sincere 89 points in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2023. If he can provide a conversion in the heart of the black and white lineup, it would certainly be the boost they need. But knowing the Freedom have rode at least three in each of their last six matchups means the likes of Nick Tetz, Eduardo Aparecido, JaCauy Hale and Keyshawn Whitehorse will need to bring their A-game if they hope to compete.

Florida hasn’t quite stamped their postseason passport yet. But they 100% bring the best odds of doing so into this weekend, which is all the motivation Head Coach Paulo Crimber and company need. Hell, they’ve got a flashy six-game winning streak to defend. They’ve got the top-performing cowboy in John Crimber on their team. Everything is rolling in the right direction for the Freedom, who endured plenty of ups and downs throughout the season. That stint is over, though, as the Freedom have been much more dominant here in September than what we saw from the group during the first half of the season. If Yan Victor Cunha can build on his encouraging 4-for-6 start the Freedom should be able to take care of business. Not to mention Thiago Salgado returning to the chutes for the first time in six weeks, primed to dance with Mercy Thursday. Freshly inked to the team this week, Lucas Martins Costa also gets a shot to impress, set to challenge Kodiac during his second out of the summer.

(11-12) Austin Gamblers vs. (11-12) Nashville Stampede

*Kaique Pacheco vs. Mahan
*Silvano Alves vs. Powerstroke
Lucas Divino vs. Electric Kitty
*Anderson de Oliveira vs. Rowdy
Guilherme Valleiras vs. Army Slasher
*Ednelio Almeida vs. Highwire
Ramon de Lima vs. Whiskey Trip
Cody Jesus vs. Midnight Magic
*Jose Vitor Leme vs. Geronimo
Kaiden Loud vs. Blue Suede Shoes

REMATCHES

Anderson de Oliveira vs. Rowdy (6.73 seconds in Springfield, Missouri)
Ednelio Almeida vs. Highwire (86.75 points in Jacksonville, Florida)
Jose Vitor Leme vs. Geronimo (89.5 points in Anaheim, California)
Kaique Pacheco vs. Mahan (7.29 seconds in Fort Worth, Texas; 88.75 points in Arlington, Texas)
Silvano Alves (3 seconds in Sunrise, Florida)

TRANSACTIONS

The Austin Gamblers released Ezekiel Mitchell from the Protected Roster.
The Austin Gamblers placed Rafael dos Santos on Excused Absence List.
The Austin Gamblers signed Ezekiel Mitchell to the Reserve Roster.

Gamblers vs. Stampede Game Preview
Practically mirroring Major League Baseball’s (MLB) version of a wild card game, these two teams could quite literally be fighting for their playoff lives in this contest depending on how the rest of the regular season slate plays out. Bringing matching 11-12 records into the showdown while being ranked No. 5 and 6 in the rankings, respectively, with Austin slightly ahead of the 2022 PBR Teams Champions, this one has plenty of drama awaiting. And even more veterans ready to remind their units they still have what it takes to perform at a world championship-capturing caliber.

On one side you have the two-time PBR Teams regular season champion Austin Gamblers, who may be bringing some extra steam with them when they load into Cowtown Coliseum Thursday knowing they’ve been officially eliminated from regular season honors in 2024. That won’t stop them from looking to make some noise in their home state, even if it’s the Texas Rattlers who are ultimately on home dirt this weekend. Their leader in two-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme should be amped for this one on a personal note, as he’s slipped to the No. 4 spot in the individual aggregate score race last weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina. Now behind the tour’s current leader in No. 1 John Crimber by a drastic 419.75 points, Leme will need to ride two or three this weekend if he wants to stay alive in the race during next weekend’s regular season finale. They have plenty to fight for and should be able to get the job done inside the old barn Thursday night.

That is, depending on which version of the Nashville Stampede shows up on Thursday. The Stampede, who won the 2022 PBR Teams Championship via a thrilling Cinderella Run in Sin City, are more than familiar with what the Gamblers have to offer. But Head Coach Justin McBride has had his squad focused on their business, instead insisting that his team is competing against themselves, rather than any of the league’s other nine contingents. And, well, it’s been working for the blue and yellow unit lately.

Bringing a four-game winning streak into this weekend’s PBR Teams: Rattler Days kickoff game, will Kaiden Loud resume the same elite form he displayed last spring when the 2024 PBR World Finals invaded Cowtown Coliseum? If that’s the case, the Stampede could very well get past the Gamblers.

(9-14-1) Oklahoma Wildcatters vs. (12-11) Texas Rattlers

Eduardo Matos vs. Triple Aught
Brady Fielder vs. Desert Twister
Tate Pollmeier vs. Black Ice
Daniel Keeping vs. Renegade
Austin Richardson vs. Black Tie
Claudio Montanha Jr. vs. Hell Right
Clay Guiton vs. Washita Red
Marcelo Procopio Pereira vs. Warlock
Cort McFadden vs. Rank Frank
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Bruised Ego

REMATCHES

Clay Guiton vs. Washita Red (3.74 seconds in Sunrise, Florida)
Eduardo Matos vs. Triple Aught (86.5 points in Houston, Texas)
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Bruised Ego (0.96 seconds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

TRANSACTIONS

The Oklahoma Wildcatters released Dustin Herman from the Reserve Roster.
The Oklahoma Wildcatters released Colton Byram from the Reserve Roster.
The Oklahoma Wildcatters signed Dustin Herman to the Reserve Roster.

Wildcatters vs. Rattlers Game Preview
The first three showdowns inside Cowtown Coliseum will be action-packed, no doubt. But everything ultimately boils down to the Texas Rattlers preparing to host the Oklahoma Wildcatters for their first of three hometown games. Which is a decent opening night opponent to draw, if you ask us. But if you ask Head Coach J.B. Mauney, he’d likely say he’d take his guys over any of the league’s other nine options. And for good reason, as the youthful group has continued to piece things together throughout their first season on tour, showing plenty of promise along the way.

Specifically, Eduardo Matos has been enjoying his “coming out” tour, as the Brazilian talent continues to lead his team in conversions. Getting set for an epic rematch with Triple Aught Thursday night, who he’s previously bested for 86.5 points, the spicy rematch could be exactly what the Wildcatters need to get started in a big way. After returning from injury last weekend in North Carolina, Clay Guiton looks to get a ride streak started aboard Washita Red, who dispatched the youngster earlier this season at PBR Teams: Freedom Days. But if Oklahoma is going to pull off what would be one of the bigger upsets of the weekend, they’ll need Cort McFadden to exit his dance with Rank Frank in the ride column, as the talent has often been in the middle of many “make or break” moments so far this summer.

As far as the home team is concerned, they aren’t worried about which bulls they draw or which guys they’re competing against. They’re simply looking to ride em’ all, just like last weekend.

Each of the team’s riders are more than capable of surviving the 8 on any given weekend. Specifically, it’s been Brady Fielder and Daniel Keeping who have been converting at insane rates lately, which is more than welcome as Head Coach Cody Lambert and company look to secure a spot in the postseason on home dirt this weekend. Keeping, riding in the No. 2 spot, is set to dance with Renegade while Fielder is primed for a showdown against Desert Twister in the team’s opener role as the Australian looks to not only maintain his spot atop the Great 8 Award standings but potentially even chase down John Crimber in the MVP race. We’d expect the hometown unit to come out rested and ready to fire on all cylinders. But after seeing the league’s most recent hosts suffer unideal records at the end of their respective weekends, do the Rattlers need to beware of a rising home dirt advantage curse? Surely not, as the team is 6-0 all-time in Fort Worth!

Friday Night Bye Games: 

Carolina Cowboys, Missouri Thunder

TRANSACTIONS

The Carolina Cowboys placed Derek Kolbaba on Injured Reserve from the Protected Roster.
The Carolina Cowboys released Adilson Junior from the Reserve Roster.
The Carolina Cowboys acquired Andrei Scoparo via Documents of Intent and placed him on the Protected Roster.
The Carolina Cowboys released Braden Richardson from the Reserve Roster.
The Carolina Cowboys signed Manoelito de Souza Jr. to the Reserve Roster.
The Carolina Cowboys signed Lorenzo Lopez to the Reserve Roster.
The Missouri Thunder assigned Dawson Gleaves to the Protected Roster from the Reserve Roster.
The Missouri Thunder placed Grayson Cole on the Reserve Roster from the Protected Roster.

FOLLOW ALONG

This weekend’s PBR Teams: Rattler Days showcase in Fort Worth, Texas, is set to begin Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7:45 p.m. CT as the New York Mavericks and Kansa City Outlaws get the three-day showcase started. Thursday night’s opening slate is set to take place inside the historic Cowtown Coliseum, which is set to host the 2025 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast, before the tour shifts gears to Dickies Arena for nights two and three.

With competition set to continue Friday, Sept. 27 at 7:45 p.m. CT and conclude Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1:45 p.m. CT, the ninth homestand of the regular season will see the world’s best bull riders lay it all on the line with just three weeks remaining until the 2024 PBR Teams Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 18-20!

Fans can tune into Merit Street and the Merit+ App on Thursday, Sept. 26 beginning at 8 p.m. CT to take in the four opening night games. The first three games from night two’s slate, airing on Friday, Sept. 27, will also air on Merit Street and the Merit+ App starting at 8 p.m. CT, with all of Sunday’s showdowns concluding the weekend’s coverage on Merit Street and the Merit+ App beginning at 8 p.m. CT.

RELATED: Where to Watch: Rattler Days

Spanish broadcasts of all three days of action will also air on TUDN, with night one’s action airing on Friday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. CT, Friday’s slate airing on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. CT and Saturday’s showdowns airing on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. CT.

Fans can keep an eye on PBR.com and @PBR social media channels for the latest news, scores, wrecks and more! And be sure to download the Merit+ App to watch all of this season’s exclusive action!

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media