Sports takeover in Kansas City begins with bull riding: What to know
Professional bull riding returns to Kansas City, this time kicking off a five-day takeover of T-Mobile Center from one brand.
TKO Group Holdings, a media conglomerate that also includes the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Wrestling Entertainment, bring Professional Bull Riders and the Kansas City Outlaws back to their home turf for a PBR Teams showcase.
It’ll be “Missouri vs The World,” at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24, as the defending Teams regular season champion Outlaws and Missouri Thunder team up to take on bull riders from the other eight teams in the league.
Here’s what to know about PBR before the Outlaws hang their championship banner inside the T-Mobile Center rafters.
How much are PBR tickets?
Individual tickets for PBR’s event are available on AXS starting at $30 before fees. The most expensive tickets are $99 in sections 106-107 and 116-117, next to the chutes that hold the bulls before their rides.
The arena uses more than half of the lower bowl and one section in the upper bowl for seating, where prices can cost anywhere from $30 to $99 in the lower bowl or $30 in the upper bowl.
How does PBR’s Teams format work?
The PBR Teams style competition sees bull riders band together in teams to compete in head-to-head games.
The opening round begins with four head-to-head games, which will feature 3-on-3 matchups:
- Game 1: Texas Rattlers vs. Austin Gamblers
- Game 2: Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters
- Game 3: Nashville Stampede vs. Carolina Cowboys
- Game 4: New York Mavericks vs. Florida Freedom
The winners of each game is determined by the team that has the highest aggregate score across the three bull riders.
The four winning teams’ head coaches will choose two of their three riders to form a eight-man superteam to compete against the Missouri-based superteam, comprised of four Outlaws and Thunder riders, respectively.
The final is an 8-on-8 championship round, where the team with the highest cumulative score is crowned the winner.
What can and can’t I bring to T-Mobile Center?
T-Mobile Center does not have a clear bag policy, but the venue encourages fans to pack lightly when attending. Your bag should not be larger than 12” by 6” by 12”. Don’t bring backpacks or chain wallets.
These other items are not allowed inside:
Artificial noisemakers
Beach balls and balloons
Cameras with detachable lenses
Coolers and containers
Laptop and tablet computers
Outside food and beverages
Pocket knives
Selfie sticks
Spurs
Umbrellas with spike-like points
Any type of weapon, fake weapon or object resembling a weapon
Where can I park in downtown Kansas City?
Downtown Kansas City has plenty of parking available near T-Mobile Center. The arena offers on-site parking in the red lot at 12th and Oak streets and the yellow lot at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard, which is the KC Live! garage.
You will have to purchase passes to these lots in advance online. Both lots cost $20 before online fees. Event parking opens three hours before the concert.
Fans can also purchase parking in the Magenta lot on Oak Street in front of the venue for $150.
Other than those, there are over 40,000 parking spaces in the downtown area. Many are paid lots, and street parking is available, though it may cost up to $40 during events like concerts.
You can also park farther away and take the free KC Streetcar to the stop 14th and Main streets, the closest to T-Mobile Center.
Where can I be dropped off and picked up for the concert?
Grand Boulevard and Oak Street in front of T-Mobile Center will be blocked off for PBR.
If you’re being dropped off by a family, friend, Uber or Lyft, they can take you as close to the 13th and Oak Street entrance as possible. They may also drop you off on streets that aren’t blocked off in the Power & Light District or farther away if walking isn’t an issue.
The same is true for picking up concertgoers after the show. Communicate with your driver so they can find you once the show’s over.
