Modelled after the State of Origin rugby series, PBR Origin takes what was for nearly 30 years an individual sport and transforms it into a fierce team showdown between two rival states — NSW and QLD, with 10 riders on each side.

To qualify for the PBR Origin Series, riders must hold a current 2025 PBR World or PBR Australia membership. Riders registered to compete in Australia must participate if they qualify through the PBR Australia standings.

A rider's state of origin is determined by the hometown or home address listed on their membership form. If a registered rider is from another Australian state or overseas, they must declare the state they wish to represent at the time of registration. Once a rider nominates a state, they cannot change teams in future Origin events.

The highest-ranked Australian riders in the Top 50 of the Velocity Standings, as of 21 days prior to the event, will be eligible. If no riders qualify through the Global Standings, the available positions will be filled by riders from the 2025 PBR Australia standings, based on rankings 14 days prior to the event.

Both teams face off in a head-to-head battle, and the team with the highest aggregate score from their 10 riders wins the round.

The PBR Origin Series crowns a champion across three rounds held on separate event dates. Each event day features five sections of competition, including four mini rounds and a bonus round. Each team of 10 riders has three scoring opportunities spread across the five sections, aiming to deliver their best rides and highest scores for their home state.

The team with the highest aggregate score following the bonus round, will win that event. The team that claims the most wins across all three events will be crowned the 2025 PBR Origin Series Champions.

Alongside the team competition, there will be a Cowboy of Origin $30,000 bonus to the rider with the highest aggregate score across Rounds 1 and 2 over the full three-event series.

The Bonus Round is the final section of each PBR Origin Series event and features the top 4 riders from each team based on their event average—resulting in 8 riders competing in this final round.

These riders each have one last ride, known as “8 buck outs.” The Bonus Round is non-points earning for PBR standings, but it does carry a $10,000 prize pool, paid out to the top 4 riders.

If there's a tie in aggregate scores heading into the Bonus Round, the team coach will choose which rider advances. If the coach declines to decide, the spot goes to the rider with the highest national ranking prior to the event. If those rankings are tied, the judges will make a random draw between the riders.

Yes, substitutions can be made during the 2025 PBR Origin Series if:

• The PBR medical team deems a rider medically unfit to compete.

• A rider withdraws due to injury or chooses to withdraw for any other reason.

Substitutes include:

• Alternates, who are eligible for both standings points and prizemoney.

• Double entries, where riders are treated separately for Cowboy of Origin qualification (scores do not combine), giving each rider a chance to win the title.

If a rider is unable to compete, they will be replaced by the next available alternate or double entry rider, who will be drawn into position.

Yes – for the most intense 8 seconds in sports, hang onto the bull rope and don’t touch the bull with your free arm or the ground.

PBR Monster Energy Origin Series Glossary

Alternate: A rider on a team’s Reserve Roster which attends a game and may participate if a rider in the Starting Lineup cannot compete.

Australian Bucking Bull Inc ("ABBI"): The registry agency for all PBR Australia bucking bulls that is responsible for selection of bulls for PBR Australia Monster Energy events.

Away From His Hand: The term used by bull riders to describe when a bull spins in the opposite direction of their riding hand. For example, a right-handed bull rider on a bull that spins to the left is riding a bull "away from his hand."

Buckoff: When a rider is thrown from the bull before the required 8 seconds, he has bucked off and does not earn a score.

Protection Athletes: PBR Protection Athletes distract the bull away from a rider who has been bucked off or who has dismounted following an out. These tough and courageous athletes allow the rider to get back onto his feet and out of harm’s way and are sure not to harm the bovine athletes in doing so.

Chute: Each bull ride originates from a gated, steel box called a chute. The rider and the bull remain in their designated chute until the arena is clear and the rider has wrapped his hand into his bull rope. When the rider is ready, he nods his head, signaling the gate man to open the chute gate, releasing the bull and allowing the out to begin.

Daysheet: A digital document displaying any given event’s matchups, rider scores, bull scores and placements.

Foul: If something happens during the ride that gives the bull an unfair advantage over the bull rider, it is considered a foul, and the rider is given the option of a re-ride. Examples of fouls include the bull making contact with the bucking chute at the beginning of the ride, or if the flank strap falls off before the ride has been completed.

Free Hand: The hand not used to grip the bull rope and must stay in the air throughout the ride. If the free hand makes contact with the bull or rider before 8 seconds elapse, the rider will be disqualified and will not receive a score.

Hung Up: If a rider is unable to free his hand from his bull rope when dismounting, he is "hung up," and often requires the assistance of bullfighters to release him. Proper usage is to refer to a rider being "hung up on" a bull, though bull riders will sometimes use the term "hung up to" a bull.

Into His Hand: The scenario where a bull spins in the same direction of the rider’s riding hand. For example, if a right-handed rider is on a bull that spins to the right then he is riding a bull "Into his hand."

Cowboy of Origin: The rider to record the highest aggregate score throughout the PBR Monster Energy Origin Series will be named the series’ Cowboy of Origin and receive a check for $30,000.

Qualified Ride: If a rider reaches 8 seconds without being disqualified, he has completed a qualified ride and therefore earns a score.

Re-Ride: A judge may grant a rider a re-ride if the bull suffers a foul during the out or if he feels that the bull did not perform at a level comparable to the other bulls in the competition, therefore not giving the rider a fair chance to earn a score. Potential re-ride bulls are selected prior to the event.

Ride Score: Each PBR ride is worth up to 100 points – 50 points for the bull, and 50 points for the rider if he successfully rides the bull for 8 seconds. Four judges award up to 25 points each to the rider and the bull. All four of the judges’ scores are combined and then divided by two for the official score.

Bonus Round: The final section of each PBR Origin Series event, featuring the top 4 riders from each team (8 total) that compete for a $10,000 prize pool, with non-points awarded for PBR standings. 

Slap: If a rider makes contact with the bull with his free hand during a ride, it is called a slap. He is disqualified from the out and does not receive a score.

Stock Contractors: Any individual, related personnel (including flanker), or entity involved in raising, care of and transportation of bucking bulls selected for PBR Series Event competitions.

Wreck: When a rider is bucked off, then subsequently horned and/or stomped by the bull, he has been involved in a wreck.