Charleston, W. Va. – The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour will make its fifth visit to Charleston, West Virginia, Jan. 16-17, 2026, bringing two days of bucking action back to Charleston Coliseum, where the rankest bulls and toughest cowboys will square off against each other in the most exciting and dangerous 8 seconds in sports.

Over the course of the two-day event, 40 top riders will appear in the two initial rounds, taking on some of the sport’s fiercest bulls. After two rounds, the top 10 riders with the highest aggregate scores will ride for a chance at the event title.

In 2025, Ethan Winckler, a 19-year-old cowboy from Winnie, Texas, rode his way to perfection, going a perfect 3-for-3 to win the PBR Charleston event title. In 2024, Marco Rizzo of Quitman, Ga., rode supreme to win his first event buckle in the PBR.

All the competing riders will battle it out for crucial Velocity points, which contribute to the Velocity Global Standings and determine who qualifies for the season-ending Velocity Tour Finals in Corpus Christi, Texas the first week of May 2026. In addition to a VT Championship, the Top 3 Velocity Finals riders not already qualified for PBR World Finals earn the right to compete at the World Championship event the second week in May 2026.

The two-day event at Charleston Coliseum featuring riders determined to punch their ticket to the PWVT Finals in May 2026 begins on Friday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. ET and Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. ET.
Stay tuned to PBR.com for the full 2026 Velocity Tour schedule announcement along with the latest news and results. Be sure to follow the sport on all social media platforms at @PBR.

Tickets can be purchased:
• At the Charleston Coliseum Box Office
• Online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com
• PBRewards Members can also call PBRDirect at 800-732-1727 or purchase via PBR.com

EVENT FAST FACTS
• 750 tons of dirt (1.5 million pounds) are brought in to transform Charleston Coliseum into a bull-riding mecca.
• The dirt is a special clay-sand blend establishing a firm enough surface for the bulls to buck hard but soft enough so that every rider is not injured when thrown like a rag doll.
• It takes 7 semi-trucks to haul in the equipment for the event.
• A crew of about 30 works around the clock to prepare the venue.
• Over 50 of the rankest bucking bulls on the planet will be on site.
• PBR bulls are remarkable animal athletes born to buck. Each is a member of a special breed: The American Bucking Bull.
• By virtue of competing in PBR, they get the best food and care, avoiding a very brief career in the meat packing industry.
• The average PBR bull weighs 1,800 pounds.
• The average bull rider? Just 140 lbs.

Don’t miss this action-packed weekend where man and beast collide in one of the most electrifying shows in sports, the only sport showcasing a lightweight taking on a heavyweight. Whether you’re a seasoned PBR fan or new to the scene, PBR Charleston West Virginia is an event that will keep everyone on the edge of their seat.