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Dust off those boots because professional bull riding is coming to Oklahoma City this weekend.
The Oklahoma Wildcatters will host their annual homestand, Wildcatter Days, at Paycom Center from July 31-Aug. 2.
Wildcatter Days is the second event of the PBR Teams series, where 10 teams of drafted riders compete weekly for the championship in November. The team format debuted in 2022, with the Oklahoma Wildcatters joining the league in 2024.
After opening weekend, the Texas Rattlers lead the standings as the only 2-0 team. The Wildcatters are tied for eighth at 1-1 with 350 points. Each team sends five riders per competition, with each ride scored out of 100 points based on the rider's control and the bull's bucking performance.
Veteran collegiate coach Greg Rhodes was hired as the Oklahoma Wildcatters head coach for the 2026 season after the team parted ways with two-time PBR world champion J.B. Mauney. Rhodes was previously the head coach at Western Texas College, where he developed numerous national champions and top PBR riders.
Here are some riders to look out for this weekend:
More: PBR partners with OKC's National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for its Hall of Fame
Kimzey comes from one of Oklahoma’s smallest towns, Strong City, with a population of 33 people west of Hammon and a sign that reads “Home to legendary bull rider Sage Kimzey.” Known throughout bull riding as "The Professor" for his calculated approach and experience, Kimzey first earned a rodeo scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and became a seven-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion. Kimzey was then selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 PBR Teams Draft and won the event title at the 2024 PBR World Finals.
The reigning PBR World Champion has taken over the sport since entering the big leagues in 2024. Crimber became the No. 1 overall draft pick at just 18, becoming the second-youngest rider in PBR history to win a world title. Raised in Decatur, Texas, Crimber grew up around the sport under the guidance of his father, PBR Hall of Famer and Florida Freedom head coach Paulo Crimber.
The São Paulo, Brazil, native won the PBR Brazil championship in 2022 before moving to the United States. In 2024, he became just the second rider in history to win both the PBR World Championship and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. During the 2024 World Finals, Dias was knocked unconscious and hospitalized after a wreck with a bull, then returned one week later to clinch the world title in one of the most memorable comebacks in PBR history.
Hitt returns home to Oklahoma this weekend as one of the Wildcatters' top riders. The Dickson native grew up bucking bulls, with his uncle, H.D. Page, serving as one of the sport's most successful stock contractors. After an injury shortened rookie season in 2024, the 22-year-old has emerged as a rising talent, highlighted by his first Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour victory in January 2026 after a comeback performance in the championship round.
Three-day event at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Amanda Avila is a sports intern for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Amanda? She can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @avilaonair. Support Amanda's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: PBR Wildcatter Days: What to know about rodeo event at Paycom Center in OKC
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The Oklahoma Wildcatters will host their annual homestand, Wildcatter Days, at Paycom Center from July 31-Aug. 2.
Wildcatter Days is the second event of the PBR Teams series, where 10 teams of drafted riders compete weekly for the championship in November. The team format debuted in 2022, with the Oklahoma Wildcatters joining the league in 2024.
After opening weekend, the Texas Rattlers lead the standings as the only 2-0 team. The Wildcatters are tied for eighth at 1-1 with 350 points. Each team sends five riders per competition, with each ride scored out of 100 points based on the rider's control and the bull's bucking performance.
Veteran collegiate coach Greg Rhodes was hired as the Oklahoma Wildcatters head coach for the 2026 season after the team parted ways with two-time PBR world champion J.B. Mauney. Rhodes was previously the head coach at Western Texas College, where he developed numerous national champions and top PBR riders.
Here are some riders to look out for this weekend:
More: PBR partners with OKC's National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for its Hall of Fame
Sage Steele Kimzey, Austin Gamblers
Kimzey comes from one of Oklahoma’s smallest towns, Strong City, with a population of 33 people west of Hammon and a sign that reads “Home to legendary bull rider Sage Kimzey.” Known throughout bull riding as "The Professor" for his calculated approach and experience, Kimzey first earned a rodeo scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and became a seven-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion. Kimzey was then selected No. 1 overall in the 2023 PBR Teams Draft and won the event title at the 2024 PBR World Finals.
John Crimber, Florida Freedom
The reigning PBR World Champion has taken over the sport since entering the big leagues in 2024. Crimber became the No. 1 overall draft pick at just 18, becoming the second-youngest rider in PBR history to win a world title. Raised in Decatur, Texas, Crimber grew up around the sport under the guidance of his father, PBR Hall of Famer and Florida Freedom head coach Paulo Crimber.
Cassio Dias, Kansas City Outlaws
The São Paulo, Brazil, native won the PBR Brazil championship in 2022 before moving to the United States. In 2024, he became just the second rider in history to win both the PBR World Championship and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. During the 2024 World Finals, Dias was knocked unconscious and hospitalized after a wreck with a bull, then returned one week later to clinch the world title in one of the most memorable comebacks in PBR history.
Kase Hitt, Oklahoma Wildcatters
Hitt returns home to Oklahoma this weekend as one of the Wildcatters' top riders. The Dickson native grew up bucking bulls, with his uncle, H.D. Page, serving as one of the sport's most successful stock contractors. After an injury shortened rookie season in 2024, the 22-year-old has emerged as a rising talent, highlighted by his first Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour victory in January 2026 after a comeback performance in the championship round.
How to watch 2026 PBR Wildcatters Days
Three-day event at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
- July 31: Friday at 7:45 p.m. - Streamed on Paramount+
- August 1: Saturday at 6:45 p.m. - Streamed on CW Sports
- August 2: Sunday at 1:45 p.m. - Streamed on CW Sports and select CBS
2026 PBR Wildcatters Days matchups
Day 1
- Missouri Thunder vs. New York Mavericks
- Texas Rattlers vs. Carolina Cowboys
- Kansas City Outlaws vs. Florida Freedom
- Austin Gamblers vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
- Nashville Stampede vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters
Day 2
- Missouri Thunder vs. Arizona Ridge Riders
- Kansas City Outlaws vs. New York Mavericks
- Florida Freedom vs. Nashville Stampede
- Carolina Cowboys vs. Austin Gamblers - Streamed on CBS on Sunday
- Texas Rattlers vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters - Streamed on CBS on Sunday
Day 3
- Austin Gamblers vs. Florida Freedom
- Missouri Thunder vs. Texas Rattlers
- Kansas City Outlaws vs. Nashville Stampede
- New York Mavericks vs. Carolina Cowboys
- Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters
Amanda Avila is a sports intern for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Amanda? She can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @avilaonair. Support Amanda's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: PBR Wildcatter Days: What to know about rodeo event at Paycom Center in OKC
Continue reading...
