LAS VEGAS – The league’s first-ever 12-event season, followed by Thursday night’s ever-dramatic Ride-In Round, are officially in the books.

RELATED: Nashville Stampede, New York Mavericks ride supreme at Ride-In Round, advancing to 2024 PBR Teams Championship

Once featuring a group of 10 pack hopefuls, the PBR Camping World Team Series field has been trimmed down to just 8 teams as the series prepares to invade T-Mobile Arena Oct. 18-20.

With the Nashville Stampede and New York Mavericks exiting South Point Arena in victorious fashion, the units sneak into their respective No. 7 and No. 8 seeds for this year’s playoff gauntlet, joining the Kansas City Outlaws, Carolina Cowboys, Florida Freedom, Texas Rattlers, Austin Gamblers and Missouri Thunder in forging the 2024 edition of postseason contenders.

The 2022 PBR Teams Champion Stampede haven’t entered the postseason higher than the No. 7 seed in three fall sessions.

But we know the team was able to complete their Cinderella story during the inaugural tournament riding as the No. 8 seed. And having entered the 2023 iteration of playoff action in the No. 7 spot, it should be familiar territory for Justin McBride and company at this point.

RELATED: Nashville Stampede locked in, live to see another day with Ride-In Round triumph

And while the eventual No. 8 seed New York Mavericks’ last-second run positions them to attempt their first-ever playoff experience, the expansion unit has gotten to used to the underdog angle as they continue to shock the world during their first season on tour.

They haven’t had the most consistent lineup, riders or results by any means in 2024.

But Sin City welcomes chaos – Specifically the PBR Teams Championship. So if it seems a little quirky that the “come from behind” unit made its way to the dance via a standout performance at the Ride-In Round, take it up with the Arizona Ridge Riders and Oklahoma Wildcatters, who allowed the No. 10-ranked squad to pull of the feat.

While there were likely some brief celebrations following the first-ever four-way showcase, Las Vegas has been known for some tight turnarounds – exactly what both squads will need to embrace as they prepare to compete again Friday night.

RELATED: Underdog New York Mavericks earn franchise’s first postseason berth via Ride-In Round rowdiness

Not necessarily a disadvantage, as the Stampede and Mavericks likely bring some additional momentum with them into the postseason picture. At the same time, the two teams who exited the Ride-In Round just found out who they were dancing with last night.

And when we consider athletes from the other four teams set to ride on night one received their Friday night matchups earlier in the week, most of them have been doing bull research and watching videos since Wednesday morning.

Potentially a leg-up but only time will tell.

At the same time, being tired and overcoming a few obstacles is merely part of the sport at this point. And knowing both the Nashville Stampede and Missouri Thunder have made epic runs as low-ranked competitors in years past, we know this thing is completely wide open.

Now that we’ve got this year’s eight teams settled, squads ranked No. 3 through No. 8 will kick off the enticing action via three head-to-head showdowns.

Potentially one of the most entertaining matchups we’ll see on the night, the No. 6 Missouri Thunder are set to take on the No. 5 Austin Gamblers. Having won each of the first two PBR Teams regular season titles in 2022 and 2023, Friday’s opener represents the first time we’ll see the green and black contingent compete during night one of a PBR Teams Championship.

Looking to defend their 2023 league-best honors when Game 2 rolls around, the No. 4 Texas Rattlers await a showdown against the No. 7 Stampede, which will pit one of the deepest teams in the league against McBride’s veteran-heavy lineup.

Rounding out the first three showcases, the No. 3 Florida Freedom will look to keep the accolades coming, with 2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber set to lead the way for the red, white and blue unit as they prepare to knock off the surging No. 8 Mavericks.

Once the three winners have officially secured their spot during the second night of postseason play, the three losers from said contests will compete head-to-head-to head during a Last Chance Game.

At the conclusion of the 15-out showcase, the squad with the highest score moves onto Saturday, while the other two teams will see their season come to an end.

With the circuit’s Top 2 seeds in the No. 1 Kansas City Outlaws and No. 2 Carolina Cowboys receiving opening night bye games, they’ll watch night one’s action from the stands as they rest up and prepare to get their own shows started come Saturday evening.

Knowing the amount of cash, pride, bragging rights and hardware up for grabs means everybody will be bringing their best effort. Be it on the dirt or scouting from afar.

2024 PBR Teams Championship Seeding

1. Kansas City Outlaws
2. Carolina Cowboys
3. Florida Freedom
4. Texas Rattlers
5. Austin Gamblers
6. Missouri Thunder
7. Nashville Stampede
8. New York Mavericks

Lineups and draw are in for the league’s third postseason gauntlet, so we’re taking a closer look at Friday 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 Las Vegas, Nevada, Oct. 18-20, for the 2024 PBR Teams Championship, we’re breaking down starting lineups for Friday night’s competition inside T-Mobile Arena (With coverage set to begin at 7 p.m. PDT via Merit Street).

2024 PBR TEAMS CHAMPIONSHIP STARTING LINEUPS

*Denotes a rematch

No. 6 Missouri Thunder vs. No. 5 Austin Gamblers

*Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Mike’s Motive
Kaique Pacheco vs. Margin of Error
*Boudreaux Campbell vs. Baldy
Dalton Kasel vs. Air Marshall
*Felipe Furlan vs. Rock ‘n Roll
Lucas Divino vs. Bueno
Dawson Gleaves vs. Bangarang
Ramon de Lima vs. Regulator
Andrew Alvidrez vs. Almost Sober
*Jose Vitor Leme vs. Feeds Red River

REMATCHES

Boudreaux Campbell vs. Baldy (90.25 points in Springfield, Missouri)
Felipe Furlan vs. Rock ‘n Roll (7.17 seconds in Fort Worth, Texas)
Jose Vitor Leme vs. Feeds Red River (90.5 points in Cheyenne, Wyoming)
Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Mike’s Motive (81.75 points in Greensboro, North Carolina; 87.75 points in Kansas City, Missouri; 88.75 points in Nashville, Tennessee)

Thunder vs. Gamblers Game Preview

2024 has been a bit of a wonky year for the Austin Gamblers. But all of that is out the window as this point, as the team has five outs to prove they are still very much top-tier contenders. Getting Dalton Kasel back in the lineup for first time since Sept. 7 drastically increases their odds of finding success. Jose Vitor Leme getting set for a second go aboard Feeds Red River (after initially besting him for 90.75 points) certainly won’t hurt their odds. But the team needs to ride like they’re “all in” if they want their time in T-Mobile to continue.

Especially when you consider how hot and cold the Missouri Thunder can be. Set to embrace several rematches of their own, the Thunder aren’t worried about who they drew across the chutes. They’re more than content with their bullpen, as Boudreaux Campbell ripped off an epic 90.25-pointer atop Baldy a few weekends back, who he just so happens to be paired with once more on Friday night. Not as flashy but potentially just as impressive from a quantitative perspective, the team’s ride leader Paulo Eduardo Rossetto prepares to dance with Mike’s Motive for a fourth time. Besting the animal athlete in each of their first three showcases for 81.75, 87.75 and 88.75 points this season. Knowing two of those three successful rides came during Shootout Round competition means the team will be counting on Rossetto to deliver in clutch fashion once more.

It’s Austin, however, who captured a 2-1 record against Missouri during the regular season, thus keeping the team with a few World Champions on its roster as the favored party to pull off the win.

No. 7 Nashville Stampede vs. No. 4 Texas Rattlers

Alan de Souza vs. Desert Twister
*Brady Fielder vs. Magic Hunter
Cody Jesus vs. Doze You Down
Daniel Keeping vs. Hoka Hey
Anderson de Oliveira vs. Killer Instinct
*Claudio Montanha Jr. vs. Black Ice
Chase Outlaw vs. Spice
Qynn Andersen vs. Haymaker
*Silvano Alves vs. Lapua
Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Body Roc

REMATCHES

Brady Fielder vs. Magic Hunter (91.25 points in Kansas City, Missouri; 91.75 points in Fort Worth, Texas)
Claudio Montanha Jr. vs. Black Ice (4.3 seconds in Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Silvano Alves vs. Lapua (4.19 seconds in Austin, Texas; 6.77 seconds in New York, New York)

Stampede vs. Rattlers Game Preview

If it seems like guys are running into bulls they’ve had some good success on, it’s because that’s exactly what each unit’s coaches are looking for: favorable rematches and bulls that their guys have established confidence aboard. After all, that’s one of the biggest reasons this 5-on-5 format was created: to allow the sport’s legends to hand-select bovine matchups they think their guys will knock out of the park. Exactly what should happen for a third-straight time when Brady Fielder and Magic Hunter hit the dirt Thursday night.

The Rattlers bring many weapons into the showdown outside the first-ever Great 8 Award-winner in Fielder. But after surrendering the regular season series to the Stampede, dropping two of three games, they know they’ll have their work cut out for them if they want to avoid the Last Chance Game. Especially knowing how hot Nashville will be coming in off Thursday night’s success.

A showdown between the 2022 and 2023 PBR Teams Champions wouldn’t be complete without the yellow and blue squad drumming up some excitement ahead of the playoffs. Bringing the likes of Silvano Alves, Chase Outlaw, Cody Jesus, Mason Taylor and beyond into the second game of the night, this team understands its goals for the season – And heading home on night one is not in their field of view. Momentum can be one of the most dangerous elements of a head-to-head bull riding, exactly what the squad carries after out-scoring each of the other three teams in Thursday’s Ride-In Round. They’ve been here before and they understand the winning formula.

A showdown between the 2022 and 2023 PBR Teams Champions wouldn’t be complete without the yellow and blue squad drumming up some excitement ahead of the playoffs. Bringing the likes of Silvano Alves, Chase Outlaw, Cody Jesus, Mason Taylor and beyond into the second game of the night, this team understands its goals for the season – And heading home on night one is not in their field of view. Momentum can be one of the most dangerous elements of a head-to-head bull riding, exactly what the squad carries after out-scoring each of the other three teams in Thursday’s Ride-In Round. They’ve been here before and they understand the winning formula.

No. 8 New York Mavericks vs. No. 3 Florida Freedom

Mason Taylor vs. John 14:6
*Alex Cerqueira vs. Cliff Hanger
*Leonardo Castro vs. Slingin’ It
Joao Lucas Campos vs. Tulsa Time
*Hudson Bolton vs. Wingman
*Joao Lucas Campos vs. Woody
Maverick Smith vs. Twisted Sister
Thiago Salgado vs. Washita Red
Mauricio Moreira vs. The Kraken
John Crimber vs. Riser

REMATCHES

Alex Cerqueira vs. Cliff Hanger (4.46 seconds in New York, New York)
Hudson Bolton vs. Wingman (re-ride accepted in Austin, Texas)
Leonardo Castro vs. Slingin’ It (84 points in Louisville, Kentucky)

Mavericks vs. Freedom Game Preview
Anytime you’ve got the top-ranked rider in all the land on your side, you’re going to feel good about your odds of making some noise. That’s exactly the case for the Florida Freedom as 2024 PBR Teams MVP John Crimber prepares to put on his red, white and blue cape during what will be his first postseason action. Yet, in a bit of shocking fashion, the Freedom also dropped two of three regular season showdowns between the teams this year, so we know anything is possible. The team switched a few riders in and out of its lineup since Wednesday night but appears to be rolling with their usual mix of guys. Thiago Salgado prepares to dance with Washita Red, which could be a big factor in this one, as the small Brazilian has been able to show off his bulls when healthy.

Across the chutes? A squad who just pulled off one of the bigger upsets in league history Thursday night: The New York Mavericks.

Adding to their odds of recording what be a quite a LARGE upset Friday night, they posted a 2-1 record against the Freedom during the regular season, meaning the expansion unit seems to have jotted down Florida’s number. But they only need to be concerned about the men rocking their colors – a set of cowboys who got the job done in the direst of circumstances and are only even more pumped to make their debut inside T-Mobile Arena. They don’t have the perfect formula. They don’t have many defined all-stars. But they’re here and they’re ready to make some noise.

FOLLOW ALONG
This weekend’s 2024 PBR Teams Championship showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada, is set to invade T-Mobile Arena Thursday, Oct. 18 as the state-of-the-art arena prepares to host the first three showdowns and opening Last Chance Game of the three-day weekend.

RELATED: PBR announces the launch of PBR+ streaming service

With opening night festivities set to begin at 6:45 p.m. PDT, supporters interested in watching the league’s third postseason tournament can tune into Merit Street and the Merit+ app beginning at 7 p.m. PDT on Friday, Oct. 18.

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 and sign up for PBR+ to watch all of this weekend’s exclusive action!

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media