After 10 days of rodeo competition, live music, midway rides, Western heritage and unforgettable experiences, the Calgary Stampede came to a spectacular close on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Known as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Calgary Stampede combines world-class rodeo with a massive festival celebrating the culture, traditions and spirit of the Canadian West.
Each summer, Calgary becomes a meeting place for Western heritage, live entertainment, carnival rides, food, and music from around the world. This year, the 10-day event welcomed an overall attendance of 1,411,954 visitors before concluding with Showdown Sunday and its championship finals at GMC Stadium.
A Bird’s-Eye View of Stampede Park
We started our final day with a ride on the WestJet Skyride, one of the most iconic attractions at the Calgary Stampede. The continuously loading chairlift carries passengers approximately 30 feet above the midway, offering a unique view of the sprawling festival grounds.
The ride takes about eight minutes from end to end, providing a scenic perspective of Stampede Park and the Calgary skyline. From above, visitors can see the colorful midway, bustling crowds and the many venues spread throughout the park. It was the perfect way to begin our final day before heading over to GMC Stadium for the biggest rodeo competition of the week.
Showdown Sunday
Showdown Sunday is what makes the Calgary Stampede rodeo unique. While many rodeo competitions build toward a traditional final round, the Stampede uses a high-stakes format that gives competitors multiple opportunities to earn their way to the championship.
The top nine performers from the week in each category compete on Sunday. After that round, the top four advance to one final showdown. Those four athletes then compete for the championship title, a $50,000 prize and the coveted Calgary Stampede bronze trophy.
The format creates an incredible amount of drama. A competitor can dominate throughout the week, but still need to deliver one more exceptional performance on Sunday to claim the championship. With $2.17 million in prize money on the line, the pressure inside GMC Stadium was intense.
Championship Moments and Bronze Trophies
Among the notable winners was bull rider Noah Lee, who delivered a championship performance aboard Whiskey at Noon. Steer wrestler Riley Duvall also claimed a prestigious Calgary Stampede title, with both competitors taking home the event’s iconic bronze trophy.
The championship atmosphere was evident throughout the stadium as athletes battled for the final spots and then returned for the Final Four. Every ride and run carried the weight of the entire week, making Showdown Sunday one of the most exciting days of the Calgary Stampede.
Gibson Stillwell Sets a New Barrel Racing Record
Barrel racing was one of the most energetic events of the entire Stampede, and Showdown Sunday delivered another unforgettable moment. Hayle Gibson Stillwell and her horse, Piper, set a new arena record in the nine-man round with a time of 16.56 seconds. The record had previously belonged to two-time reigning world champion Kassie Mowry.
The record changed hands several times during the competition. Michelle Alley and Lipstick N Stilettos initially broke the existing mark during their first appearance at the Calgary Stampede. Mowry later reclaimed the record with a 16.68-second run, but Stillwell ultimately set the fastest time of the week. Her 16.56-second run will stand as the Calgary Stampede arena record until at least the 2027 edition.
Kassie Mowry and Jordon Briggs, who each claimed two round wins in Calgary, narrowly missed qualifying for the Final Four. Mowry finished Sunday with a 16.83-second run, placing fifth. Hailey Kinsel and Sister captured the final qualifying spot, setting up a dramatic final round.
As the final competitors entered the arena, the excitement inside GMC Stadium was at a fever pitch. As the saying goes, they saved the best for last.
Cheyanne McCartney Claims Breakaway Roping Title
The 2026 Calgary Stampede also saw history made in ladies breakaway roping. For only the second time in Calgary Stampede history, a female breakaway roper was awarded the championship title and $50,000 prize. Shelby Boisjoli Meged claimed the inaugural title in 2025, but this year the championship went to Cheyanne McCartney.
McCartney dominated the competition from the first swing to the last, delivering the consistency and precision needed to win the title. Her victory added another memorable chapter to the growing history of breakaway roping at the Stampede.
Music Across Every Genre
While rodeo is at the heart of the Calgary Stampede, the festival’s music lineup showcases an impressive variety of genres and performers. Throughout the 10-day event, visitors could move from country music and rock to pop, hip-hop, electronic music, and high-energy crossover acts.
The festival’s many stages created a different musical experience around nearly every corner of Stampede Park. Nashville North delivered legendary country performances, while the Coca-Cola Stage welcomed artists from across the musical spectrum. On Sunday evening, The Beaches took over the Coca-Cola Stage, adding a rock edge to the final night of the festival.
The diversity of the music lineup helped make the Stampede feel like more than a rodeo. Whether visitors came for traditional Western culture, major country stars, emerging artists, or live music in a festival setting, there was something happening throughout the day and into the night.
A Spectacular End to 10 Days
After the final championship competitions wrapped up, the evening continued with the final major show at GMC Stadium. The last night of the Calgary Stampede brought the energy of the entire 10-day festival together one final time before the event concluded with a massive fireworks display.
Watching the fireworks light up the Calgary sky was a fitting end to an incredible week. From the first day exploring the midway and watching the chuckwagon races to world-class rodeo competition, live music, cultural performances and countless memorable moments, the Calgary Stampede delivered a true celebration of the Canadian West.
Showdown Sunday proved to be the perfect finale. With new records set, championship titles awarded, $2.17 million in prize money distributed and more than 1.4 million visitors attending throughout the 10-day event, the 2026 Calgary Stampede ended on a high note.
After 10 unforgettable days, it was easy to understand why the Calgary Stampede continues to earn its reputation as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
Travel Guide to the Stampede
How to Get There:
Traveling to the Calgary Stampede is simple with WestJet, the event’s official airline. With routes connecting Calgary to destinations throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond, visitors can fly into Calgary International Airport and quickly begin their Stampede experience. As a longtime partner of “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” WestJet helps bring travelers to Calgary for the 10-day celebration, which combines world-class rodeo, live music, Western heritage, carnival rides, and an incredible variety of food. After landing, the airport’s convenient location makes it easy to reach downtown Calgary, settle into your hotel, and head to Stampede Park for the festivities.
Where to Stay:
For a convenient stay steeped in Calgary history, the Fairmont Palliser is an ideal choice during the Calgary Stampede. Located in the heart of downtown, the iconic hotel has welcomed travelers since 1914 and remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Its central location is particularly convenient during Stampede week, with Stephen Avenue and the morning pancake breakfast festivities just one block away. Stampede Park is also only a few miles from the hotel, making it approximately a 15-minute drive. After a full day of rodeo action, chuckwagon races, live music and exploring the Stampede grounds, the elegant Fairmont Palliser provides a welcoming and comfortable retreat in the heart of Calgary.