PBR (Professional Bull Riders), the global leader in bull riding, today announced PWR (Premier Women’s Rodeo), a new wholly-owned brand built to become the preeminent platform for women’s rodeo athletes worldwide.
The organization’s marquee event – the 2026 PWR Championship – will take place May 12 – 15, 2026 at the historic Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Backed by the same vision and innovation that made PBR a dominant force in Western sports, Premier Women’s Rodeo is set to elevate women’s rodeo through increased competition, visibility, and financial opportunity. The brand is a rebirth of the Women’s Rodeo Championships (WRC) and the Women’s Rodeo World Championship (WRWC) – the richest women-only rodeo event in the world.
Founded in 2020, the WRWC crowned world champions in Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, and Goat Tying. Since inception, PWR and its predecessor have awarded more than $4.5 million to women athletes.
Building on a landmark moment in 2021 when the WRWC on CBS drew 2.4 million viewers, making it the highest-rated rodeo telecast in history, PWR will aim to reach broader audiences with Finals events continuing to be staged in conjunction with the PBR World Finals, giving women athletes unprecedented exposure alongside the world’s best in Western sports.
“PBR is all-in on women’s rodeo,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of PBR. “PWR gives us the chance to grow the sport by showcasing the amazing stories of these athletes – their drive, their grit, their passion. Empowering all levels of female rodeo athletes with more money, more visibility, and more opportunity than ever will inspire competitors, fans and partners, ringing in a new era for women’s rodeo.”
“The evolution from the Women’s Rodeo Championships to Premier Women’s Rodeo marks a powerful step forward. With the full backing, strength, and vision of PBR, our foundation has never been stronger,” said Linsay Rosser Sumpter, Commissioner, PWR. “We’re elevating women’s rodeo to new heights, expanding opportunities, celebrating inclusivity, and showcasing the undeniable power of the cowgirl. Premier Women’s Rodeo isn’t starting over; we’re continuing the legacy with new momentum.”
Using a year-round Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) system, women can earn points and qualify from anywhere, removing traditional barriers of travel and cost. Athletes compete in three divisions – Pro, Challenger, and Limited – to ensure equitable opportunities for all competitors. PWR’s innovative tiered system awards equal payouts across all disciplines and classifications, ensuring parity across Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Team Roping, and Goat Tying.
In 2025, PWR also introduced a new Athlete ID Card Program to streamline classification across all disciplines and verify eligibility for VRQ leaderboards.
PBR is currently pursuing media rights partnership opportunities to bring PWR’s athletes and storylines to fans around the world, with a focus on storytelling, athlete branding, and national recognition.
Unlike traditional co-ed rodeos, PWR is 100% focused on women and offers multiple disciplines under one banner—making it the most comprehensive and richest women-only rodeo championship ever created.
Key Highlights:
- $4.5+ million paid out since 2020 – the most in women’s rodeo history.
- $1.25 million total payout in 2025 – the richest women’s rodeo event in the world.
- Equal payouts across all disciplines and classifications.
- Multiple tiers (Pro, Challenger, Limited) to include every skill level.
- Year-round qualification through the VRQ, accessible from anywhere.
- National recognition through major broadcast and digital partnerships.
About PWR (Premier Women’s Rodeo)
PWR is the leading organization for women’s rodeo, sanctioning the Premier Women’s Rodeo World Championship and other key events. Founded by PBR and built upon the success of the Women’s Rodeo Championship, PWR is dedicated to empowering women in Western sports through equitable competition, visibility, and opportunity. PWR offers the richest payouts, the broadest range of disciplines, and an inclusive qualification system designed for athletes of all levels — from grassroots competitors to elite professionals.
About PBR (Professional Bull Riders):
PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 1,000 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, and Canada. In 2022, the organization launched PBR Teams—10 teams of the world’s best bull riders competing for a new championship—as well as the PBR Challenger Series with more than 50 annual events nationwide. PBR events are broadcast on CBS Television Network, Paramount+, the CW Network, and FOX Nation. PBR is a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, X at X.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.