Grand Rapids – Home to one of the most tenured events in tour history, Grand Rapids, Michigan, will welcome the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour for the sixth time in league history in 2022, hosting the PBR Tractor Supply Classic Jan. 28-29 at Van Andel Arena.
For two nights only, 40 of the best bull riders from around the world will compete in one of the most exciting live sporting events to witness. Going head-to-head against the sport’s rankest bovine athletes, the tour stop will showcase the ultimate showdown of man vs. beast.
In 2021, the electric Great Lake State crowd inside Van Andel Arena saw surging Brazilian Leonardo Lima (Vale do Paraiso, Brazil) reach a critical career milestone in clinching his first Velocity Tour event win compliments of an impressive 88-point score aboard Pennsylvania-raised bovine athlete White Dust (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls).
The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour is known for playing a key role in riders reaching the top levels of competition in professional bull riding, shown in the 2018 iteration of the event in Grand Rapids.
Delivering a perfect 2-for-2 effort, including an event-best, 89.5-point score aboard Stand Up (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) in the championship round, Colten Jesse (Konawa, Oklahoma) captured the event win, subsequently propelling him to the elite Unleash The Beast.
Jesse remained a staple contender on the premier series for the remainder of the season and qualified for his first appearance at the prestigious PBR World Finals. While Jesse is currently sidelined by injury, he contended for the World Championship in 2020, concluding the season a career-high No. 14 in the world.
Other past PBR Grand Rapids Classic event winners include: Joseph McConnel (2020), Scottie Knapp (2019) and Jake Gowdy (2017).
The bull riding action for the 2022 PBR Tractor Supply Classic begins with Round 1 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 28, followed by Round 2 and the championship round at 7:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 29.
All 40 bull riders will get on one bull each in Rounds 1-2. Following Round 2 Saturday evening, the riders’ individual two-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.
Tickets for the two-day event go on sale Friday, October 25 at 10 AM, and start at $15, taxes and fees not included. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early, with all price levels increasing $5 on event day. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Van Andel Arena box office or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727. Please note that the Van Andel Arena box office will not be open for the on sale. For box office hours, please visit VanAndelArena.com.
Two-day ticket packages will also be available, offering fans up to a 15% discount on select price levels.
PBR Elite Seats are available for avid fans who want an exclusive VIP experience while enjoying the world’s top bull riding circuit. These tickets, available for $225, offer the best seats in the venue, a question-and-answer presentation with some of the top bull riders and stock contractors in the world, $10 concession voucher, souvenir credential and lanyard, and post-event photo opportunity from the dirt.
For an enhanced PBR experience, fans can now purchase add-on PBR Premium Experiences which will include the Elite Experience on both Friday, January 28, and Saturday, January 29.
The Elite Experience, available for $50, will include a Q&A session with a select group of the league’s top riders, bullfighters and stock contractors, photo opportunity, $10 concession voucher and commemorative credential and lanyard.
For more information on PBR Premium Experiences, or to purchase the Elite Experience for the PBR Tractor Supply Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan visit https://pbr.com/tickets/premium-experiences/.
About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour:
The PBR’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT) began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR. The Velocity Tour, the sport’s fastest-growing tour, brings the excitement and top-levels of cowboy and bovine talent that fans have come to expect from the sport to cities across the United States. The PWVT is proudly supported by Pendleton Whisky, Lucas Oil, the United States Border Patrol, Boot Barn, Cody James Boots, Tractor Supply, Nexgrill, Cooper Tires, USCCA, Union Home Mortgage, TicketSmarter, Kubota, TAAT and the South Point Hotel and Casino. Every Velocity Tour event is carried on PBR RIDEPASS on Pluto TV, Channel 720.
About ASM Global
Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall are managed by ASM Global. ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more information, please visit asmglobal.com.
####