Nashville Stampede makes history at T-Mobile Arena
The Nashville Stampede became the first team in PBR Teams history to win back-to-back championships on Sunday, defeating the Arizona Ridge Riders in Las Vegas.
The Stampede secured the 2026 title with a 356.45-268.35 victory, marking their second championship win since the league’s inaugural season.
According to a report from PBR, the championship game featured a new 7-on-7 format, a first for the league. Nashville’s victory was defined by consistent high-scoring rides that allowed them to withstand a late-game surge from the Ridge Riders.
The road to the trophy was shaped by significant upsets throughout the weekend. The Arizona Ridge Riders entered the final as a “Cinderella story,” having defeated the No. 2 Austin Gamblers in the semifinals, as reported by NXTbets Pro. Meanwhile, Nashville advanced by beating the No. 5 Texas Rattlers in their respective semifinal matchup.
The championship duel in Las Vegas
The final was a see-saw battle of elite riding. Everton Natan da Silva opened the championship game for Arizona with a 90.55-point ride on Dead Red. Nashville responded immediately when Alan de Souza scored 91.30 points on Freedom Fighter to take the lead.
Nashville’s momentum built through the middle rounds. Daniel Feitosa earned 88.75 points on Yo Mamma, and Alisson De Souza added 87.90 points on Smooth Whiskey. These scores allowed the Stampede to maintain a commanding lead heading into the final stages of the competition.
Arizona attempted a comeback in the sixth round. Cody Jesus delivered a personal-best 92.40-point ride on Lights Out, which narrowed Nashville’s lead to 88.10 points. However, the comeback fell short when Alex Cerqueira bucked off during Arizona’s second must-ride chance in the seventh round. This final result secured the title for Nashville.
Championship Game Scoring Breakdown
| Round | Arizona Ridge Riders | Nashville Stampede |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 90.55 | 91.30 |
| 2 | 0.00 | 88.75 |
| 3 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 4 | 89.90 | 87.90 |
| 5 | 85.40 | 88.50 |
| 6 | 92.40 | 0.00 |
| 7 | 0.00 | N/A |
| Total | 268.35 | 356.45 |
A legacy built on team accountability
For Nashville Head Coach Justin McBride, the achievement was less about the hardware and more about the internal culture of the roster. Speaking on The CW broadcast, McBride emphasized the bond between the riders.
“A group of young men coming together, sticking with each other through thick and thin… Loving each other and pushing each other and holding each other accountable. All the work they put in that nobody sees. To have a chance to write their own story – that’s what it’s about to me,” McBride said.
McBride added that while the belt buckles might eventually tarnish, the memories made with teammates would remain permanent for the riders.
The individual brilliance of the Arizona Ridge Riders was recognized through Eduardo Aparecido, who was named the 2026 PBR Teams Championship MVP. NXTbets Pro noted that Arizona’s run included a major upset of No. 1 Missouri earlier in the postseason, which helped establish the team as a high-pressure contender.
How PBR Teams are evolving
Nashville’s win cements their place as a dominant force in the relatively young PBR Teams era. They join a short list of champions that includes the Carolina Cowboys (2025), Austin Gamblers (2024), Texas Rattlers (2023), and the original 2022 winners, who were also the Nashville Stampede.
The tournament structure has seen rapid evolution. The semifinals were contested in a 6-vs.-6 format before transitioning to the 7-on-7 championship game. This shift highlights the league’s efforts to increase the difficulty and scoring potential of the team-based format.
The postseason also saw high-stakes drama in the semifinals. Riquelmi Silva secured Nashville’s spot in the final with a 91.95-point ride on Fringe Minority, marking his sixth walk-off conversion of the season.
As the 2026 season concludes, the Nashville Stampede stands alone as the only franchise to have successfully defended their title, setting a new benchmark for consistency in professional bull riding.
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