Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media to Tenn Texas Media
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (November 8, 2026) — The dirt is flying, the pressure is mounting, and the road to a PBR Teams World Championship has come down to FOUR teams with ONE dream!
After an action-packed Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, the Nashville Stampede, Texas Rattlers, Austin Gamblers and Arizona Ridge Riders have earned their places in the semifinals of the 2026 PBR Teams Championship.
But getting there was anything but easy.
From a historic postseason walk-off victory by Nashville to an unbelievable upset by Arizona and a last-chance comeback by Texas, Saturday delivered everything that makes professional bull riding one of the most exciting sports in Western entertainment.
And behind every eight-second ride stood another extraordinary athlete — the bucking bull.
Tennessee’s own Nashville Stampede refused to back down against the defending 2025 PBR Teams Champion Carolina Cowboys.
With their championship hopes hanging in the balance, Nashville turned to Brazilian rider Gustavo Luiz da Silva, who came off the bench for a decisive re-ride opportunity.
The Stampede needed at least 80.35 points to advance.
Silva answered with an outstanding 89.15-point ride aboard Let’s Roll, securing the first postseason walk-off victory in PBR Teams history.
The moment sent Nashville into Championship Sunday and brought the inaugural 2022 PBR Teams Champions one step closer to another title.
Earlier in the matchup, Daniel Feitosa delivered 89.75 points aboard Max Bet, while Rogério Venâncio contributed an impressive 89.90-point performance on Flapjack.
Carolina put up a tremendous fight, led by Guilherme Valleiras with a career-high 91.15 points aboard American Made and Adriano Salgado’s 89.60-point effort aboard UB Smooth.
But Nashville had the final word.
TENN TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: Championship moments aren’t always about who starts the game. Sometimes they’re about the athlete who gets one opportunity and makes every second count.
ARIZONA RIDGE RIDERS SHOCK THE NO. 1 MISSOURI THUNDER
The No. 8 Arizona Ridge Riders entered Las Vegas as underdogs.
Now they’re heading into Championship Sunday undefeated in postseason competition.
Arizona delivered one of the biggest surprises of the weekend, upsetting the top-ranked Missouri Thunder and improving to 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena.
Elizmar Jeremias turned the momentum with a spectacular 90.55-point ride aboard Lieutenant Dan.
Then Wingson Henrique da Silva delivered when it mattered most, recording a season-high 88 points aboard Burning Inferno.
It was Henrique da Silva’s first qualified ride of the 2026 season.
For Missouri, Julio Cesar Marques delivered an 89.90-point ride aboard Cracky Chan, but the Thunder couldn’t overcome Arizona’s late surge.
The victory sent the Ridge Riders to Championship Sunday for the fourth time in five seasons.
TENN TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: Rankings may tell you who’s favored, but eight seconds inside a bull riding arena can rewrite the entire story.
AUSTIN GAMBLERS MAKE A CHAMPIONSHIP STATEMENT
Austin Gamblers 359.30 | Texas Rattlers 265.40
The Austin Gamblers came to Las Vegas ready to ride — and Saturday’s showdown against their Texas rivals proved it.
Austin delivered four consecutive qualified rides to secure a commanding victory over the Texas Rattlers.
Three-time PBR Teams MVP Jose Vitor Leme opened the scoring for Austin with 90.25 points aboard Walk Off, extending his record-setting career total to 96 rides of 90 points or more.
Dalton Kasel followed with 89.30 points aboard Doze You Down.
Sage Steele Kimzey kept the momentum alive with 89.85 points aboard Lever Action.
Then 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco sealed the victory with 89.90 points aboard Big Iron.
Texas answered with strong performances, including Brady Fielder’s 89.25-point ride aboard Dirty Dan and Qynn Andersen’s 85.70 points aboard Feel the Magic.
Veteran João Ricardo Vieira, 42, reminded fans why experience matters, delivering an outstanding 90.45-point ride aboard Big Mac — his first 90-point performance since 2024.
Austin advanced directly to the semifinals, while Texas faced one final opportunity to keep its championship dreams alive.
TEXAS RATTLERS REFUSE TO QUIT — LAST CHANCE GAME BRINGS THE DRAMA
And the Texas Rattlers weren’t ready to pack their bags.
After a slow opening, the competition erupted with spectacular rides from some of the sport’s top athletes.
Josh Frost ignited the Rattlers with a personal season-high 91.70 points aboard Moolah.
Missouri’s Maverick Smith answered with an incredible career-high 92.95-point ride aboard Ransom, the highest individual score of the game.
Lucas Divino kept Texas in contention with 87.60 points aboard Hermes.
Then 23-year-old Australian cowboy Qynn Andersen stepped into the chute for a matchup with Mr. Fahrenheit.
No rider had previously recorded a qualified ride aboard the bull.
Andersen changed that.
With an 89.40-point performance, he made history against Mr. Fahrenheit and secured the Texas Rattlers’ place in the semifinals.
Following the victory, Lucas Divino shared a message that reflected both the competitive spirit and the faith of the Western community.
“We have enough talent to win anything like the other teams, but God knows who’s going to be the winner. We just cheer for everybody to be safe and be healthy. That’s all that matters.”
– Lucas Divino
TENN TEXAS SPOTLIGHT: It wasn’t just a victory for Texas. It was a reminder that determination, teamwork and faith can carry athletes through the most difficult moments.
THE OTHER HALF OF THE STORY — THE BUCKING BULLS
At Tenn Texas, we believe the story of professional bull riding isn’t complete without recognizing the extraordinary livestock athletes that make this sport possible.
Saturday’s performances showcased the power, athleticism and competitive ability of some of PBR’s remarkable bucking bulls.
Among the standout matchups:
Ransom — Carried Maverick Smith to a career-high 92.95 points.
Moolah — Matched Josh Frost in a season-best 91.70-point performance.
Lieutenant Dan — Partnered with Elizmar Jeremias for 90.55 points.
Big Mac — Helped João Ricardo Vieira return to the 90-point club.
Mr. Fahrenheit — Surrendered his first qualified ride to Qynn Andersen.
Let’s Roll — Faced Gustavo Luiz da Silva in Nashville’s historic postseason walk-off victory.
Behind these remarkable animal athletes are the stock contractors, breeders, handlers and livestock professionals whose dedication helps sustain the sport.
Every great ride tells TWO stories — the cowboy who stays aboard and the bull determined to prove he’s the better athlete.
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY — FOUR TEAMS, ONE TITLE
Sunday, November 8, 2026 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada
The final four teams are ready for the ultimate showdown.
Semifinal
Matchup
Game 1
No. 5 Texas Rattlers vs. No. 3 Nashville Stampede
Game 2
No. 8 Arizona Ridge Riders vs. No. 2 Austin Gamblers
Game 3
Third-Place Game
Game 4
PBR Teams Championship Game
Broadcast: The CW Start Time: 5:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM CT
The winners of the first two games advance to the championship matchup.
TENN TEXAS MEDIA | MORE THAN EIGHT SECONDS
Professional bull riding is about more than championship trophies and record-breaking scores.
It’s about the athletes who travel thousands of miles chasing their dreams, the livestock professionals who dedicate their lives to raising exceptional bucking bulls, and the families and fans who support this Western way of life.
Saturday’s performances reminded us why this sport continues to capture hearts across America and around the world.
The Nashville Stampede are chasing another championship. The Texas Rattlers have fought their way back from elimination. The Austin Gamblers have established themselves as a formidable contender. And the Arizona Ridge Riders have proven that an underdog can challenge the very best.
Four teams. One arena. One championship.
Who will rise to the occasion when the gate swings open?
Stay connected with Tenn Texas Media for professional bull riding news, athlete spotlights, livestock stories and coverage of the Western lifestyle.
TENN TEXAS™ — WHERE THE WEST IS ONE™
Source: PBR Teams Championship competition results, November 7, 2026.
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