On Saturday, June 13, 2026, GMC Stadium will host the inaugural Calgary Stampede First Nations Rodeo & Relay, bringing together top Indigenous athletes from across Canada and the United States for a one-night showcase of history, culture and sport.
Created in partnership with the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR), and with the support of Elbow River Camp Tipi Holder Advisors from Treaty 7 First Nations, the event will feature eight rodeo competitions alongside the fast-paced excitement of relay racing.
For Marty Wildman, competition consultant for the Stampede, rodeo judge and longtime member of the INFR, the event represents both competition and connection.
“For us, stepping into that arena, the cathedral that is the Calgary Stampede grandstand, it means something,” Wildman says. “It’s a dream to be able to showcase our skills on this level.”
Alongside the rodeo events, relay racing brings another dimension of intensity to the night. Often described as one of the fastest and most exciting competitions on the track, relay teams rely on precision teamwork as riders race bareback and transfer between horses at full speed.
“The competition has been getting stronger every year, and I’m sure we’re going to be up against some of the top relay teams in the world at this event,” says Cody Big Tobacco, horseman for the Big Tobacco relay team. “To be competing so close to home is going to be awesome but being that it’s a new event adds another level of excitement because there will be so many people coming out to enjoy our culture by watching some relay racing and rodeo.”
Beyond the competition itself, the experience extends throughout GMC Stadium. Guests can explore a market featuring First Nations artisans and vendors connected to Elbow River Camp presented by Enbridge, where craftsmanship and storytelling are expressed through art, design and traditional practices.
“This is about showcasing who we are,” he says. “Our skill, our tradition, our connection to the horse — and sharing that with people.”
As competitors ride into GMC Stadium this June, the event promises not only elite competition, but an opportunity for thousands of guests to experience the skill, pride and traditions that continue to shape Indigenous rodeo culture today.
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