The 2026 Calgary Stampede kicked off with a vibrant parade downtown on Friday, July 3, drawing thousands of spectators. Postmedia Calgary photographers documented the weekend's events, including the parade, rodeo, chuckwagon races, relay races, and the midway, as well as the Mexifest festival in Eau Claire Plaza and the Farm Fresh Festival at the Calgary Farmers' Market west location.
Calgary Stampede Parade
Parade watchers raced to secure spots before the 2026 Calgary Stampede Parade in downtown Calgary on Friday, July 3, 2026. The parade featured colourful floats, Tsuut'ina First Nation members, and tourists from Great Britain. First Nations chiefs also participated in the parade.
Calgary Stampede Rodeo — Day 1
Day 1 of the rodeo on Friday, July 3, 2026, included events such as bareback riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, and bull riding. Richmond Champion of Stevensville, MT, competed in the bareback event on Turbo Rocket. Heidi Gunderson of Murdock, MN, participated in barrel racing. Kyle Lucas of Carstairs, Alta., competed in tie-down roping. Jax Mills of Montgomery, TX, rode Alberta Prime Lift Off in bull riding, while bull Alberta Prime Devil's Advocate ran down a bull fighter.
Calgary Stampede Chuckwagons — Day 1
The Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races began on Friday, July 3, 2026. Heat 1 featured Dallas Dyck, Danny Ringuette, and Chance Bensmiller. Ross Knight competed in Heat 3, Jordie Fike in Heat 5, Evan Salmond in Heat 7, and Jamie Laboucane in Heat 8.
Calgary Stampede Relay Racing
Relay races on Friday, July 3, 2026, included the Ladies Race won by Lita Crawler. Joe Jackson of the Poitras team hit the ground running at the exchange, and Jesse Carlson of the Two Medicine team leaped off his horse. Joe Jackson finished first at the exchange.
Saturday Events
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, heavy crowds enjoyed the Stampede midway. The Monster Freestyle Motocross performed. The Farm Fresh Festival at the Calgary Farmers' Market west location offered a free pulled pork barbecue, live music, cowboy rope demonstrations, kids' scavenger hunts, and classic farm games. Hilary Martin served pulled pork, Jeff demonstrated rope wrangling, and Colin Wintz of Wintz Boots cut leather details. People competed in corn shucking and ring toss games. Mexifest in Eau Claire Plaza featured traditional dance, live bands, authentic cuisine, artisan vendors, and a wrestling ring with luchadores from Mexico. Luchadores Emperador Azteca, Candy, Ciclon Ramirez Jr., El Santo, and Emperador Azteca posed before entering the ring. Candy landed a daring flip on the Matriarch in the women's match.
Calgary Stampede Rodeo — Day 2
Day 2 of the rodeo on Saturday, July 4, 2026, saw Garrett Shadbolt of Merriman, NE, riding Enuff Cherry win the bareback event. Bryce Jensen of Huntsville, TX, was tossed riding Bon Jovi in bull riding. Allen Boore of Axtell, UT, riding Equal Money tied for day money in saddle bronc. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged of Langdon, Alta., won the breakaway roping event. Sydney Graham of Abilene, TX, won barrel racing. Sage Allen of Blackfoot, ID, was tossed and stomped riding Coffee Express in bareback. Bridger Anderson of Carrington, ND, competed in steer wrestling.
Calgary Stampede Chuckwagons — Day 2
Day 2 of the Rangeland Derby on Saturday, July 4, 2026, included Chance Bensmiller in Heat 1, Dayton Sutherland in Heat 3, Preston Faithful in Heat 6, and Evan Salmond in Heat 7.
Sunday Events
Family Day at the Stampede on Sunday, July 5, 2026, saw thousands storm the gates. Day 3 of the rodeo included Richmond Champion of Stevensville, MT, riding Shadow Warrior to win the bareback event. Julie Plourde of Krum, TX, won barrel racing. Taylor Manning of Ponoka, Alta., had a slip during barrel racing. Hudson Bolton of Milan, TN, riding Home Alone won bull riding with 89 points. Lefty Holman of Visalia, CA, riding Annual News won day money in saddle bronc. Celie Rogers of Choteau, MT, and Jenna Dallyn of Nanton, Alta., tied for day money in breakaway roping. Quaide Skjonsberg of Bluffton, Alta., riding Jamaican Sand won the bareback event. Bryce Jensen of Huntsville, TX, got hung up on Air Deacon in bull riding.
