Stampede attendance drops 11,500 visitors through first three days
Opening day and Saturday drew fewer visitors than 2025, though Tim Hortons Family Day on Sunday has historically driven strong crowds.
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The Calgary Stampede's 2026 attendance is already tracking below last year through the first three days.
Opening day drew 155,518 visitors and Saturday 139,914, with Sneak-A-Peek adding around 32,000—a combined 327,456. The same period in 2025 saw 161,057, 142,199, and 35,715 respectively, for a total of 338,971, meaning this year sits about 11,515 visitors behind.
The attendance record remains 1,477,953 from 2024. Last year came close, reaching 1,470,288—just 7,000 short.
Today is Tim Hortons Family Day at Stampede Park, historically a high-attendance draw. In 2024 it pulled 201,260 visitors; last year 182,063. The park is hosting a free pancake breakfast at the GMC Stadium Courtyard until 10 a.m., with the rodeo starting at 1:30 p.m., evening show at 7:15 p.m., and fireworks at 11 p.m.
