Scone to host first buck for PBR Australia’s season 2026 THIS WEEKEND!
Chutes open this weekend in Scone on PBR Australia's 2026 Grand Finals Journey with a record number of riders. Images and vision here
After an unforgettable 2025 season that rewrote the record books, SCONE in New South Wales is set to host the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour season opener THIS SATURDAY February 7, with fans in for a thrill as 35 of the sport’s biggest names, and some of the hottest newcomers, take to the arena.
The 2025 Gold Buckle holder, Queensland’s Kurt Shephard (Mareeba) returns and is keen to keep the title. Fellow Queensland champions Calliope’s Ben Bode and Boston Leather, Rockhampton’s Caiden Sandilands, Mount Isa’s Donnie Rutherford, Athol’s Zane Hall and Thomas Triplett from Bungundarra, are all back on the bulls and looking for the eight second bell.
Bullriding’s best from New South Wales will represent at Scone – Willow Tree’s Clint Glass, Oberon’s Charlie Bailey, Dungog’s Thomas Hudson, Tamworth’s Lachlan Slade and Walcha’s Tyson Smith. New Zealander Rylee Ward and Victorian-born Kelsey Pavlou had brilliant seasons in 2025, and will be looking to keep the momentum strong.
From Rockhampton, and a multigenerational rodeo family, Jordan Iker returns to the PBR and will be one to watch as are Billy Nell from NSW’s Central West and Jake Swan from NSW’s mid-north coast.
PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said the bucks start this weekend in Scone.
“This weekend is the PBR Monster Energy Tour Scone Invitational, the first event of the Monster Energy Tour as the road to 2026 Grand Finals in Townsville begins,” he said. “There’s only nine opportunities between now and Origin to qualify for the hotly contested Origin series, so it’s game on from the very first buck in Scone.”
Next Gen chute ready: The PBR Australia Can-am Junior Academy also kicks off in Scone, with the sport in safe hands given the number and calibre of riders ready for the chutes.
Returning to ride in 2026 include 2025 champions from the Pee Wee Division, Chase Berry from Gunnedah (NSW), Nash Goddard from Glendon Brook won the Junior Division, Chase Wieland from Gympie in Queensland who won the Senior series buckle and Tamworth’s Liam Birks who took out the Rising Star title. 2024 Pee Wee Mini Bull Champion Sonny Heffernan (Singleton, NSW) and 2024 Junior Mini Bull Champion Kassedy Carlon (Bundarra/Armidale, NSW) will also ride.
A Junior to watch in the Rising Stars division is 17-year-old Bailey Searle from Willow Tree in NSW who just competed at the ABCRA Finals where we won the Junior Bull Riding title, All Round Cowboy, Junior Breakaway, All Round Cowboy (finals average), Junior Steer Ride (finals average) and Junior Breakaway (finals average) - six buckles in all!
“We’re incredibly proud of the talent coming out of PBR Australia. Through structured training and top-tier events, we provide athletes with the foundation to excel both at home and on the global stage. The PBR Australia circuit plays a vital role as a pathway to the prestigious U.S. PBR circuit, offering our riders invaluable experience and opportunities to compete at the highest level,” said Glen.
Towns and cities on the full 2026 PBR Australia tour include:
- Queensland (QLD): Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Beaudesert, Toowoomba, Burnett Heads, Bloomsbury and Caboolture.
- New South Wales (NSW): Sydney, Newcastle, Nowra, Hawkesbury, Coffs Harbour, Orange, Tamworth and Scone.
- Victoria (VIC): Melbourne, Gippsland
- South Australia (SA): Adelaide and Marrabel
WHERE AND WHEN TO SEE AUSTRALIA’S BEST BULL RIDERS IN 2026
All event detail can be found here: Schedule — The Professional Bull Riders
TICKETS ON SALE: www.pbraustralia.com.au
- PBR Origin Series: Newcastle, Brisbane and Sydney tickets on sale NOW
- Scone and Beaudesert tickets on sale NOW
- Nowra, Cairns, Melbourne and Adelaide events on sale 6 March
- Grand Finals on sale 20 March
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings —which also owns UFC and WWE— has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes. For more information, visit www.pbraustralia.com.au.
Contact details:
Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email [email protected]
