Professional bull riders return to Glendale after last year's cancellation

Last March, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Professional Bull Riders to cancel its annual event in Glendale.

This weekend they return for a three-day event. Top bull riders will compete at Gila River Arena in two championship rounds, back on the bulls after a February event cancellation in Texas because of the winter storm. 

That's good news for Jess Lockwood, who, after becoming the youngest PBR champion at 20-years-old, has struggled with injuries.

He wasn’t able to compete when the Glendale vent was axed in 2020. Last month, prior to the Texas event's cancellation, he’d come back after suffering a broken jaw. 

He’s looking for consistency starting this weekend in Arizona. 

“I can do everything during the week to fully prepare myself but nothing beats being able to get on bulls, every single weekend,” Lockwood said. “You can be in great shape but there's nothing like bull riding shape though.”

This will be the two-time champion's second time competing in Glendale, the first coming in his second championship run in 2019. 

About 4,000 fans will be allowed inside the arena when Lockwood and other top riders compete. Typically Gila River Arena holds 13,000 seats for fans.

Lockwood said fans in Glendale have electric in the past, so he expects a similar reaction. 

“Fans are fantastic and even though we have limited seating capacity now with COVID guidelines,” he said. “I think they're going to be great and be loud enough to make it feel like a full arena.” 

In the midst of the pandemic, safety protocols have been set up for fans and riders alike. Before entering the building guests will be required to pass a health questionnaire. Lockwood said riders are tested for COVID-19 every week before a PBR event.

Along with basic measures like wearing face masks and social distancing with spaced seatin, the venue took steps to reduce touchpoints and become as contactless as possible. All tickets and parking passes must be purchased online. Concessions can be ordered through fans’ mobile devices and picked up at a designated spot. 

Assistant General Manager of Gila River Arena Kate Girotti said they’ve been working on creating a safe pathway to the return of fans since the pandemic began. 

“It's not something that we just take very lightly,” Girotti said. “It's something that we work on for months in advance, making sure that it is the safe environment for our guests to return to.”

In addition, no bags will be allowed inside the building. Girotti said it’s another measure to eliminate transfer of germs. 

The Unleash the Beast Glendale Invitational action begins 6:45 p.m. Friday at Gila River Arena and continues through Sunday. Tickets on sale now ranging from $15 to $107. Tickets from last year’s canceled event will be honored, Girotti said. 

Fans can exchange last year’s tickets for an event at this year’s PBR weekend at the box office before the show. 

More information is available at pbr.com.