‘Quite the achievement’: 2026 Calgary Stampede creates boon for Alberta economy

It was another big year for the Calgary Stampede, as more than 1.4 million visitors visited the grounds this year.

It was another big year for the Calgary Stampede, as more than 1.4 million visitors visited the grounds this year. Though it’s not the highest recorded attendance for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, Stampede officials are heralding this year’s event as a boon for Alberta’s economy. “We have a good chance that this will be the third most attended Calgary Stampede in history.

We’re coming off two record years in 2024 and 2025, and so surpassing 1.4 million guests in 2026 is quite the achievement,” said Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley. Cowley said last year’s Stampede generated $389 million for Alberta’s economy, and he expects this year’s official figure for cash influx to be “very similar” to 2025. Calgary Downtown Association executive director Shelia Taylor says thousands of people visit downtown Calgary during Stampede, supporting restaurants, hotels and other businesses in the area.

“The Stampede is a huge part of the success of the city and of downtown,” Taylor said. The economic impact of Stampede helps businesses of all levels, owners say. Some smaller businesses say the foot traffic and spending Stampede brings can be the difference between a success story or a failure.

“This is my income for the year, and another few shows, but this is one of the busiest, best shows,” said Janelle Moodie, owner of clothing and accessories business Jungle Flare. “We need a lot of foot traffic to make some sales, see our stuff and hopefully they buy our things online later on and keep us going in business.” Beyond Stampede Park, other Calgary businesses say Stampede helps them boost their exposure.

That’s the case for Cavernus, an exclusive wine lounge on Stephen Avenue that opened in February 2025. “It’s all about word of mouth,” said Cavernus co-owner John King. “Our business is built on memberships, so we have regular members in here who bring in their friends, colleagues, family.

But it’s also important for us to have a walk-in crowd because people have never seen our concept, so that was very positive.” King says the 2026 Stampede was the first time Cavernus had both it’s underground area and patio open for visitors. The number of new visitors during the Stampede was tremendous, he said.

“(The) patio was packed pretty well all the time, and then the basement became a place to go and decompress. It’s cooler down here, so as the week progress and it got warmer, this became an alternative for people to come down quieter space,” he said.

As the new executive director of the Downtown Association, Taylor says she wants the keep the core welcoming and safe as the entry point for many visitors during Stampede. “(Downtown) is where they stay or where they head, so we want the downtown to really be that best foot forward for the city,” Taylor said. Cowley added he’s also very proud of the broader community Stampede offers outside the grounds.

“(Our) caravan is throughout the city, feeding 4,000 to 6,000 people pancakes, pulling a portable stage in, providing entertainment, downtown attractions operating right downtown every day. We can provide a Calgary Stampede experience to those who don’t come to the park,” Cowley said. “It gives us great pride to offer those off-site experiences and take the Calgary Stampede to them.”

Financial challenges were an issue raised by several Stampede attendees and Cowley himself, who said he hopes the Stampede addressed this by offering free admission on four of the 10 days. “I think you need to be a little bit money conscious when you come to the Stampede, but it’s 10 days. Have fun, live it up while you can,” one Stampede attendee said.

Animal rights activists raised concerns about animal welfare during Stampede. Animal welfare group Animal Justice pointed to one incident where a horse appeared to have its mane pulled and was slapped multiple times . The group also flagged incidents on July 11 and July 12 where two horses, Glory Days and Dandy Delight, were “roughly handled in the chute.”

“Glory Days is seen being pushed with a closed fist and it appears he may also have been hit in the face. Dandy Delight is seen being pushed in the neck with a rodeo worker’s boot,” said Animal Justice’s Josh Lynn. “There appears to be a pattern of abusive treatment of horses in the chute at the Stampede Rodeo.”

On Saturday night during chuckwagon races, another horse was injured at the beginning of the third heat when two wagons collided. Cowley told reporters on Sunday afternoon the horse received “immediate medical care.” “It was transported to a local veterinary clinic, the best veterinary clinic in Alberta,” he said.

“An initial exam revealed no fractures, but the injury is considered serious and it undergoes ongoing evaluation, and we are hopeful that that horse will be okay.” Calgary Police added it was a safe Stampede. The force received more than 1,000 calls and thanked the community and all first responders for doing their part to keep the city safe during one of the busiest times of the year.