PBR Enters New Era with Premier Women’s Rodeo Brand

PBR (Professional Bull Riders) announces the 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.

Premier Women’s Rodeo plans 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 exposure alongside the world’s best in Western sports.

“PBR is all-in on women’s rodeo,” says 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,” says 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.