Calgary Stampede ends with 1.4 million visitors, third-most attended ever
2026 Stampede drew strong crowds despite economic uncertainty. Survey shows 91 per cent of guests felt the experience met or exceeded expectations.
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The 2026 Calgary Stampede brought in 1.4 million visitors over ten days, ranking it as the third-most attended event in the Stampede's history, said CEO Joel Cowley on the final day Sunday.
The attendance represents a strong showing given ongoing economic challenges facing Canadians. Cowley noted the organization surpassed last year's record-setting numbers in 2024 and 2025. "Surpassing 1.4 million guests in 2026 is quite the achievement, given the ongoing economic uncertainty," he said.
A mid-show survey found 91 per cent of attendees believed the Stampede met or surpassed their expectations, while 86 per cent said they would return and 94 per cent would recommend it. The survey also showed 70 per cent of mid-show attendees were from the Calgary metro area; the remaining 30 per cent came from outside the region, with that outside visitation generating significant economic impact.
During the ten-day event, the Stampede generated $389 million of economic impact for Alberta. Additionally, 76 per cent of attendees were returning guests, meaning 24 per cent were experiencing the Stampede for the first time.
Cowley credited the event's success to 3,000 volunteers serving on 36 committees and 360 full-time employees. The organization also expressed gratitude to partners, including performances from A$AP Rocky and Alanis Morissette across multiple stages.
