The Calgary Stampede Rodeo returns in 2026 with 210 of the world's top cowboys and cowgirls vying for a record prize purse of $2.17 million. The event runs July 3-12 at GMC Stadium, part of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Stetson Wright Leads the Field
Ten-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion Stetson Wright headlines the competition. The 26-year-old from Milford, Utah, leads the PRCA all-around standings with $269,361 in season earnings. He is also first in saddle bronc and second in bull riding, chasing the elusive roughstock triple crown.
"I haven't felt this good going into the Fourth of July in a long time," Wright said after winning bull riding and all-around titles at the Sisters Rodeo in Oregon. "I feel like I've been riding everything, and I feel like I'm on fire at a good time."
The Wright Brothers Impact
Wright is joined by his brothers Rusty, Ryder, and Statler, all accomplished rodeo athletes. The Brothers Wright, from Beaver, Utah, are expected to dominate across multiple events. Statler Wright competed in saddle bronc at the 2024 Stampede, riding Borderline Untimely.
Kristina Barnes, director of agriculture & western events at the Calgary Stampede, said: "This year's lineup brings together proven champions, rising stars and athletes with powerful stories of grit, family legacy and incredible comebacks. From lightning-fast rides to edge-of-your-seat competition, every afternoon at GMC Stadium will showcase the strength, precision and determination that make the Calgary Stampede Rodeo unforgettable."
Prize Money and Events
The total prize purse of $2.17 million includes $50,000 paydays for winners in each of the seven major events: saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, and barrel racing. The all-around champion earns additional bonuses.
Wright's triple crown ambition would require winning world titles in saddle bronc, bull riding, and all-around in a single season. "The triple crown has been at the forefront of my mind for a long time," Wright said. "I may have never done it, but each year, I've gotten closer than I was the year before. So I'm just going to keep trying."
Wright's Championship Pedigree
Wright already holds three PRCA world championships in bull riding (2020, 2022, 2025) and one in saddle bronc (2021). He added his sixth all-around title at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last December. "These ones dang sure mean more to me than any of them, and I'm a very greedy person," Wright said. "I'm never satisfied, so I'm always wanting more. All this did is get me thinking 2026. I want that triple crown."
The Calgary Stampede Rodeo runs daily from noon to 4:30 p.m. at GMC Stadium, with evening performances on select days. The event culminates with the championship round on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
