The 114th edition of the Calgary Stampede concluded on Sunday, with organizers reporting over 1.4 million attendees over the 10-day event. While this year’s turnout falls short of the record attendance in 2024 and 2025, CEO Joel Cowley remains optimistic, projecting it to be the third most-attended Stampede in history.
Cowley highlighted the significance of surpassing 1.4 million guests in 2026, considering the economic uncertainties and affordability issues faced by Canadians. To address these concerns, the Stampede introduced four free-admission days and various community events outside the park.
Approximately 70% of attendees were local, with 11% from other parts of Alberta, 12% from different regions of Canada, and 7% international visitors. Cowley emphasized the economic impact generated by outside visitors, citing last year’s Stampede contributing $389 million to Alberta’s economy.
Stampede president Stuart O’Connor praised this year as exceptional, mentioning the record number of entries in the parade and the diverse lineup of over 100 artists at the concert series. The popular Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races and rodeo competitions continued to draw enthusiastic crowds.
However, concerns arose following a Saturday night incident where a horse was injured during a chuckwagon collision, reigniting debates on animal welfare. The Vancouver Humane Society criticized the incident, calling it part of a distressing pattern of annual accidents and animal fatalities.
Cowley reassured that the injured horse was under intensive care and expressed hope for its recovery. Looking ahead, he emphasized the optimism for the Calgary Stampede’s future, citing the recently unveiled 20-year master plan for Stampede Park and ongoing enhancements in various operational aspects.