2026 PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden: A Wild Ride in The World’s Most Famous Arena

by Warren Rosenberg, John Chuhran and Clark Thompson - January 12, 2026

The weekend of January 9-11, 2026 brought 40 of the worlds most talented bull riders, dozens of bucking bulls, and three days of sell-out crowds to the dirt-filled floor of Madison Square Garden.   “The World’s Most Famous Arena” was transformed from a hockey and basketball palace into a dirt-packed battleground where the world’s top bull riders faced off against some of the rankest bucking bulls on the planet.

Above: A rider from the New York Mavericks aboard a bucking bull on the floor of NYC's Madison Square Garden. Photo credit - Clark Thompson www.Clarkshots1.com

Hosting one of the premier stops of the PBR season, Madison Square Garden delivered a unique atmosphere, blending Manhattan chic with Western grit as dirt and dust filled an arena more often associated with basketball, hockey, and concerts.

The weekend showcased not just athleticism and bravery, but also the broadening appeal of professional bull riding — proving that even in the heart of New York City, the grit and tradition of rodeo culture can fill an arena and captivate a diverse audience.

Above: Alfonso Quintino aboard the bull, Nobody, in riding in front of MSG's sell-out crowd. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg www.nyspg.com

Thirty-one year old Sage Steele Kimzey out of Strong City, Oklahoma, completed all four 8-second rides scoring over 90 points on two of them to win the weekend’s event. While Kimzey was the final rider in Sunday afternoon’s Championship Round he was also the winner of Friday night’s Opening Round scoring 90.60 points on the bull, Blue Duck. His ride in the Championship Round aboard Lights Out earned him the score of 92.05, the highest score this season in the PBR’s Unleash the Beast series.

Above: Sage Steele Kimzey collecting his winnings as the champion of the 2026 PBR Monster Energy Bock-Off at the Garden. Photo credit - Warren Rosenberg www.nyspg.com

In addition to accumulating points toward the individual championship standings, Friday night’s event included the kick-off of the 2026 Monster Energy Team Challenge, the PBR’s tournament-style team competition. This season-opening event included four of the PBR’s teams, pitting the New York Mavericks against the Carolina Cowboys and the Texas Rattlers against the Austin Gamblers.  where riders from thew York’s home team Mavericks defeated the Carolina Cowboys and the Austin Gamblers who were victorious over the Texas Rattlers.

Look for more detailed coverage in the upcoming MetroSports Winter Wrap-up issue due out in early spring