PBR has unveiled a transformative evolution to its judging system, now officially using .1-point increments for both rider and bull scores — a shift created to bring nuanced, meaningful scoring separation at the highest level of the sport.
A comprehensive two-year analysis of 15,500+ premier-level rides revealed that bull performance at the elite tier is remarkably consistent:
• 96% of bull scores above 19 land between 20.0 and 22.0
• 81% fall within just one point — 20.5 to 21.5
This revealed two truths. First, elite bulls perform at nearly identical levels. Second, judges were effectively trapped inside three scoring “buckets”: 20.5, 21.0, and 21.5.
The move to .1 increments allows judges to reward subtle differences that matter — and that riders earn.
For example, a bull better than a 21.0 but shy of a 21.5 can now score 21.2. Or, a bull above 20.5 but below 21.0 can now score 20.8
Additionally, a rider’s score may not exceed the bull’s by more than 3.0 points, ensuring symmetry and competitive accuracy.
In billing the changes as fostering a more accurate system, PBR points out that judges have privately used tenths for years. Now, the sport officially aligns with that precision — a significant leap forward entering 2026.
New Year, Higher Stakes, Same Million-Dollar Dream
While broader changes reshape the sport, Manchester offers something far more immediate: the return of champions, the rise of challengers, and the beginning of a world title race that feels wide open.
The Return of a World Champion
No storyline looms larger than the return of 2024 PBR World Champion Cassio Dias. At full strength, he is one of the most dangerous riders on earth — a competitor whose balance, grit, and explosiveness carried him to bull riding’s highest honor just one season ago.
This weekend begins his next chapter with a question: Is Cassio healthy enough — and hungry enough — to chase a second gold buckle?
Kaique Pacheco — A World Champion Reloaded
Standing alongside Dias is another giant: 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco.
Pacheco’s discipline, foundation, and consistency make him a perennial threat. His presence means Manchester opens with two former World Champions looking to set the tone immediately.
Seven-Time PRCA World Champion Sage Steele Kimzey Begins His Climb
Sage Steele Kimzey — already cemented as one of the greatest champions in PRCA history — now turns his full attention to bull riding’s most elite championship. How will his season begin? Every journey to the top of the mountain starts with a single step.
Notable Absences — for All the Right Reasons
Two explosive young athletes, Hudson Bolton and Qynn Andersen, will not appear in Manchester this weekend.
Both are in Las Vegas at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, battling for PRCA Rookie of the Year.
Bolton’s quest is historic: he is attempting to become the first man ever to win Rookie of the Year in both the PBR and PRCA in the same season.
Their absence opens the door for new faces eager to make a statement at Stop No. 1.
Who Else to Watch in Manchester
Eduardo Aparecido — Back Where He Belongs
A veteran force returning to the UTB stage, Eduardo Aparecido brings grit, toughness, and championship-caliber experience.
John Crimber, Brady Fielder, Jose Vitor Leme, Dalton Kasel, Clay Guiton
A thrilling blend of young stars and proven contenders. Crimber comes off his second straight PBR Team MVP showing for the Florida Freedom.
Kasel had a very strong 2025 Unleash The Beast season and would have been World Champion if it weren’t for Jose Vitor Leme’s otherworldly stretch run – possibly the greatest comeback in professional sports history.
Leme missed nearly half the 2025 season with injuries, then climbing from 31st to 1st in the standings in the final weeks, punctuated by a flawless performance at the World Finals, winning all 4 championship rounds to secure his third world title. Jose is motivated to become the only four-time individual champion, pulling away from Silvano Alves and Adriano Moraes.
Brady Fielder has grown into one of the most dependable, consistent riders in the world and his pairing versus Sweet Action stands out as one of the weekend’s most intriguing matchups. Fielder’s centered, classic riding style evokes comparisons to Jim Sharp — high praise, and deserved.
Sweet Action is one of Friday night’s matchups I’m looking forward to the most. Is this Brady Fielder’s year? Only time will tell — and there are two ways to find out: attend the event in person, or watch it unfold live on Paramount+.
For fans attending live, ticket information and more can be found HERE.
For fans watching from home, the UTB has a new broadcast home in 2026:
A full-season streaming platform offering complete event coverage.
Click HERE for the broadcast schedule.
What’s at Stake This Weekend
Stop No. 1 won’t crown a world champion — but it can define early momentum, set the tone, and establish confidence. And in a year with sharper scoring separation and tighter competitive windows, early points matter more than ever.
Every second shapes the season ahead.
Manchester may be the beginning — but its impact will be felt long after the dust settles.
Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation is carrying forward the same spirit of resilience seen in bull riding — but in a way that changes lives off the dirt. The Foundation provides access to the Action Trackchair, a groundbreaking all-terrain wheelchair designed to give people with mobility challenges the freedom to experience the outdoors without limits.
But here’s the harsh truth: no insurance will cover these life-changing pieces of equipment, and their hefty $25,000 price tag puts them out of reach for the very people who need them most. That is why the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists — to bridge that gap and make the impossible possible. Because you can’t put a price on freedom, independence, and living life to the fullest.
Whether it’s navigating rough pastures, rolling through wooded trails, or simply enjoying time with family in places a standard wheelchair can’t reach, the Action Trackchair opens doors to independence many thought was gone. It’s not just equipment — it’s freedom, dignity, and the chance to live fully.
Just as PBR athletes push themselves to conquer challenges eight seconds at a time, the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation helps others overcome obstacles of their own, ensuring no one is left behind in the Western lifestyle or the outdoors.
