PBR
Finals 2027
PBR World Finals championship weekend goes live in...
The 2027 PBR World Champion Gets Crowned in Glendale!
For the first time in pro bull riding history, the PBR World Finals: Championship is moving outside Texas -- and the home of the 2027 title weekend is Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The championship weekend runs May 20-23, 2027, with the top 40 riders in the world chasing the gold buckle, the $1 million championship bonus, and the season-long World Championship title. After years of the Finals living entirely in Fort Worth, the league is taking the climax of the season to the Phoenix metro for the first time.
The 2027 format keeps the two-venue structure that made the modern PBR World Finals one of the most-watched events in pro rodeo. Opening rounds stay in Fort Worth at Cowtown Coliseum from May 6-9, 2027, with the historic 5,000-seat Stockyards barn hosting the first four rounds of the field. Then the action shifts to Arizona for the closing four nights -- May 20-23, 2027 at Desert Diamond Arena -- where the championship round on Sunday night crowns the new PBR World Champion. Two cities, three weeks, and the biggest stage in the sport.
Why the move to Glendale? PBR has been working to expand the World Finals footprint and bring the championship to a major Western audience, and Desert Diamond Arena fits the brief perfectly. The 17,000-seat former Gila River Arena was purpose-built for major events, sits next to State Farm Stadium in the Westgate complex, and is part of one of the most active entertainment districts in the Phoenix metro. The move also makes the World Finals a true national event -- with Texas hosting the opening rounds and Arizona hosting the championship, fans from both regions get a piece of the biggest weekend in PBR.
The stakes at the 2027 World Finals are massive. The gold buckle, the Robinson Cup, a $1 million championship bonus, and what should once again be the biggest total prize purse in pro bull-riding history are all on the line. Defending world champions return to defend their titles, the top international riders from Brazil and Australia chase their first American championship, and the rising rookies who have made noise during the regular season look to break through. By the time the championship round ends Sunday night, May 23, one rider will have the buckle, the bonus check, and the legacy of being the first World Champion crowned in Glendale.
Browse the listings below for every available night at both Cowtown Coliseum and Desert Diamond Arena, and lock in your seats through BigStub. 20+ years in the business, verified sellers, no hidden fees at checkout, and a full buyer guarantee on every order. The biggest stage in bull riding lands in Arizona for the first time -- do not miss your shot at being there!
2027 PBR World Finals: A Historic Move to Glendale
The 2027 PBR World Finals: Championship marks one of the biggest structural changes in modern pro bull riding. After establishing the Finals in Dickies Arena in Fort Worth from 2022-2026, the league is moving the championship weekend to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona for the first time. The 2027 edition runs from May 6-23 across two cities: opening rounds at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards (May 6-9), then championship weekend at Desert Diamond Arena in the Phoenix metro (May 20-23). It is the first time the title weekend has lived outside Texas in the modern era of the event.
Why the move? PBR's strategic plan for the back half of the 2020s has been about expanding the league's reach into major Western markets, and Arizona has been one of the strongest PBR growth markets in the country for years. The state hosts multiple Unleash The Beast regular-season events, has a deep ranching and rodeo culture, and is home to one of the largest urban Western audiences in America. Putting the championship weekend in the Phoenix metro broadens the event's audience without giving up the Fort Worth heritage that opens the Finals at the historic Cowtown Coliseum.
Desert Diamond Arena -- formerly Gila River Arena and Glendale Arena -- is one of the most fan-friendly major-event venues in the West. The 17,000-seat building was purpose-built in 2003 and has hosted major concerts, NHL games (it was the longtime home of the Coyotes), and big-event productions ever since. The bowl is steeply pitched with excellent sightlines from every section, the concourses are wide and well-stocked, and the arena complex sits beside State Farm Stadium and the Westgate Entertainment District -- a built-in pre- and post-event hangout zone. Hotels are easy walking distance, parking is plentiful, and the I-101 / I-10 corridor makes the venue easy to reach from anywhere in the Phoenix metro.
The 2027 World Finals format follows the standard PBR structure. The top 40 PBR riders in the world standings compete across eight rounds: Rounds 1-4 at Cowtown Coliseum (May 6-9), then Rounds 5-8 plus the championship round at Desert Diamond Arena (May 20-23). Riders score on the standard 100-point scale (50 rider, 50 bull) and must stay on for 8 seconds for a score to count. World-standings points accumulate across the regular season and the Finals, with the rider holding the most total points after the championship round winning the gold buckle and the seven-figure bonus that comes with the World Championship.
For fans planning the trip, Glendale in late May is a great time to visit. Daytime temperatures are warm but manageable (typically high 80s to low 90s), the spring training crowds have cleared out, and downtown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale are both easy day trips. The Westgate complex itself is packed with restaurants, sports bars, and entertainment options for pre- and post-show hangouts. If you have not been to Glendale before, the World Finals weekend is a great excuse to come see what makes the Phoenix-area Western scene one of the most active in the country.
What makes the 2027 edition special
Every PBR World Finals is significant -- but the 2027 edition will be remembered specifically as the first championship weekend held outside Texas. The rider who lifts the gold buckle on Sunday night, May 23 will be the first World Champion crowned in Arizona. Combined with the continuing tradition of opening rounds at the historic Cowtown Coliseum, the 2027 Finals delivers both the new era and the heritage that has made this event one of the most-watched in pro rodeo television history.
How to Buy 2027 PBR World Finals Tickets
Where can I buy 2027 PBR World Finals tickets?
Tickets may be available through the official 2027 PBR World Finals website, the Desert Diamond Arena box office, the Cowtown Coliseum website, and Ticketmaster. Verified resale tickets for both the Fort Worth opening rounds and the Glendale championship weekend are available on BigStub, a trusted third-party marketplace with no hidden fees, a buyer guarantee, and more than 20 years of experience.
What is the full 2027 World Finals schedule?
Opening rounds run May 6-9, 2027 at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Wednesday through Saturday evening sessions start at 7:45 PM CT, with the Sunday session at 1:45 PM CT. Championship weekend runs May 20-23, 2027 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ. Thursday through Saturday sessions and the Sunday championship round wrap up the season.
Why did the World Finals move to Glendale?
PBR announced the 2027 move in May 2026 as part of a strategic plan to expand the World Finals into major Western markets. Glendale and the broader Phoenix metro have been one of the league's strongest growth regions. The opening rounds remain at Cowtown Coliseum to preserve the Fort Worth Stockyards heritage that has defined the Finals for decades.
What should I know about Desert Diamond Arena?
Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) is located in Glendale, AZ, next door to State Farm Stadium and the Westgate Entertainment District. It seats approximately 17,000 for PBR configurations, offers concourse-level concessions throughout, and has dedicated parking across the larger Westgate complex.
Are resale tickets safe?
Yes. BigStub vets every seller, encrypts every transaction, and backs every order with a full buyer guarantee. The marketplace has been in business for more than two decades, holds the highest Trustpilot rating in the industry, and never charges hidden fees at checkout. If your tickets do not arrive or are not valid for entry, BigStub stands behind the purchase.
What if I cannot attend -- can I resell?
Yes. PBR World Finals tickets are some of the most-resold tickets in pro bull riding, especially the championship-round seats. Tickets purchased through BigStub can typically be resold through the marketplace or another verified platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 PBR World Finals?
The 2027 PBR World Finals: Championship runs across two venues. Opening rounds are at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth May 6-9, 2027. Championship weekend moves to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ May 20-23, 2027 -- the first time the title weekend has been held outside Texas in the event's history.
What is moving to Glendale in 2027?
The closing championship weekend of the PBR World Finals -- including Rounds 5-8 and the championship round on Sunday May 23 -- is moving to Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ for the first time. Opening rounds remain at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth.
Is Cowtown Coliseum still part of the 2027 World Finals?
Yes. The opening four rounds (May 6-9, 2027) stay at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The historic 5,000-seat venue has hosted the opening rounds of the modern PBR World Finals since the multi-venue structure was introduced.
How much prize money is on the line?
PBR has expanded the World Finals prize purse significantly across recent seasons. The 2026 edition featured a record $3.3 million total purse, including the $1 million World Championship bonus awarded to the season-long points leader. The 2027 prize structure is expected to match or exceed that figure.
How is the PBR World Champion decided?
The PBR World Champion is the rider with the most total points across the season (regular season plus the World Finals). Points are awarded for ride scores, event finishes, and bonus points at the Finals. The championship round on the final Sunday of the Finals is when the standings are locked in and the gold buckle is awarded.
Where is Desert Diamond Arena?
Desert Diamond Arena is located at 9400 W. Maryland Avenue in Glendale, AZ, in the Westgate Entertainment District next to State Farm Stadium. The arena is easily accessible from I-101 and I-10 and is approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix.
How long does each round last?
Each PBR World Finals round runs approximately three to three-and-a-half hours including pre-show production, rider introductions, the competition itself, and intermissions. The championship round on Sunday tends to run longer with extended trophy presentations and on-stage celebrations after the final ride.
What is the difference between rounds 1-4 and rounds 5-8?
Rounds 1-4 at Cowtown Coliseum are the opening qualifying rounds, where every rider in the field of 40 draws bulls and the standings begin to take shape. Rounds 5-8 at Desert Diamond Arena are the championship rounds, where the contenders refine their position and the World Championship gets decided in the final championship round.
Is there parking at Desert Diamond Arena?
Yes. Several large parking lots surround the Desert Diamond Arena complex, with both standard and accessible parking available throughout the Westgate Entertainment District. Some Westgate garages are also available for fans who want to combine pre-show dinner with the event.
What about flying in?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is approximately 30 minutes from Desert Diamond Arena. Glendale itself has multiple hotels within easy driving distance, and downtown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale are both 20-30 minute drives for fans who want to base in those neighborhoods instead.
What should I wear?
There is no formal dress code. PBR is a rodeo crowd -- jeans, boots, and cowboy hats are the standard. Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended. The Western wear scene at the World Finals is one of the great fashion shows in pro sports.
How much do 2027 PBR World Finals tickets cost?
Prices vary by night, seat location, and venue. Championship-weekend tickets at Desert Diamond Arena command the highest prices, especially the Sunday championship round. Opening-round tickets at Cowtown Coliseum tend to be more affordable. Browse the listings above for current pricing on every available night.