Where Calgary Does Business: Stampede 2026 brings opportunity, connection and economic growth across Calgary

Calgary, AB (July 2, 2026) – As Calgary prepares to welcome more than a million guests from around the world to Stampede 2026, excitement is building and strong early indicators point to another year of significant economic activity, business partnerships and community celebration ahead of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 

Beginning tomorrow, July 3, Calgary will come alive for 10 days, welcoming visitors from across the province, country and around the world to celebrate Western hospitality and community spirit. Beyond the excitement of the world-class rodeo and the thrills of the Midway, Stampede Park and the city itself serve as a hub for commerce and collaboration.  

Pancake breakfasts turn into informal meetings, conversations at the Rodeo spark new opportunities, and Calgary’s signature hospitality helps transform introductions into lasting partnerships, reinforcing why Stampede is where Calgary does business. 

“The Calgary Stampede is a catalyst for connection, not only on Stampede Park, but across our city. During our annual celebration, Calgary becomes a gathering place, and you can see opportunities take shape in real time,” says Joel Cowley, Chief Executive Officer at the Calgary Stampede. “We’re seeing that momentum reflected in strong advanced ticket sales, exceptional demand for premium experiences and tremendous support from our sponsors and the business community.” 

Currently, advanced ticket sales for both the 2026 Stampede Rodeo and Evening Show are pacing ahead of 2025’s strong advance sales for the same period, reflecting continued enthusiasm from guests looking to plan their Stampede experience early. 

Responding to growing demand for premium seating experiences, the Calgary Stampede is preparing to open the new North Infield Expansion in time for Stampede 2026—a four level venue, including the Corona Skydeck roof top patio, which will redefine the way guests experience the Rodeo and Evening Show with signature premium seating service, a vibrant bar and an unmatched atmosphere. Leading into Stampede, the Corona Skydeck is already sold out for Rodeo performances and near sold-out for Evening Show performances.  

“We are thrilled by the continued interest and support for our premium hospitality and corporate offerings. The strong demand demonstrates not only the quality of our presentation, but the value organizations place on relationship-building and doing business during Stampede,” adds Cowley.  

During the 2026 Calgary Stampede Canvas Auction in April, business leaders showed remarkable support of the Stampede, committing a record-breaking $6.075 million at the 2026 Calgary Stampede Canvas Auction. 

These significant early indicators reflect something larger than what is happening on Stampede Park; they also speak to the broader impact Stampede has across Calgary, where business, community and opportunity come together during the city's largest event. 

"The Calgary Stampede is a part of our City. It not only brings us together, but it also welcomes people from around the world and gives them a dose of the Western hospitality we are known for,” says Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “This celebration of who we are and where we came from fills our downtown—restaurants, shops, and countless offsite business—while reaching every corner of Calgary, from pancake breakfasts to community barbecues. It truly is The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, and we're lucky to welcome it back year after year with a signature Calgary YAHOO!" 

For local businesses, Stampede represents opportunity that extends beyond immediate economic activity. It creates space for new relationships to form, partnerships to grow, and for ideas to move forward across sectors. 

"The Calgary Stampede is not only a defining highlight for our city, but also a pillar of economic strength, supporting thousands of jobs, driving business growth across sectors and showcasing Calgary's entrepreneurial spirit to the world," says Ruhee Ismail-Teja, Vice President of Policy and External Affairs at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "From conversations over pancakes to partnerships that drive long-term economic momentum for our city, province and country, Stampede brings people together across business, government and community. At its heart, Stampede is about forging relationships and finding common ground, reflecting Calgary's—and Canada's—greatest strengths." 

Those connections also position Calgary on a global stage. Each year, Stampede draws leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, providing a uniquely Calgary space for conversations that lead to future collaboration. 

“In Calgary, economic development happens in cowboy boots. For 10 days, our city becomes a gathering place for global business leaders and decision-makers, giving us the opportunity to show them why the Blue Sky City is a place where unexpected possibilities become real growth opportunities,” shares Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development. “Relationships built during Stampede can become the partnerships, investment and jobs that create lasting benefits for Calgarians long after the Midway closes.” 

In 2025, 29 per cent of visitors to the Stampede were from outside of Calgary. For many, Stampede serves as their first introduction to Calgary, and that experience often leaves a lasting impression of a city that is welcoming, entrepreneurial and connected.  

"The Calgary Stampede is recognized around the world, and as one of Calgary's most anticipated events, it is often the first impression of our city for visitors. Many who come for it return for business or leisure once they see how much we have to offer," says Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary. "The economic benefit of hosting a world-renowned event is incredible, and businesses feel it across the 10 days and well into the rest of the summer." 

According to a 2026 economic impact analysis conducted by MNP LLP, the Calgary Stampede generated $389 million in economic output for Alberta during the 10 days of Stampede 2025 alone, demonstrating the event’s significant contribution to tourism, hospitality, retail and business activity across the province. 

As Stampede 2026 approaches, strong early momentum, support from the business community and sustained interest from guests showcase the event’s wide-spread impact. More than a celebration, the Calgary Stampede is a powerful economic driver, bringing people together, generating opportunity and showcasing Calgary as a place where business happens.