Calgary Stampede 2025 draws record crowds, lavish spending, and optimism—despite recession fears and ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
Stampede Begins with a Spending Spree
Canada’s 2025 Calgary Stampede kicked off in high spirits as crowds poured into Canada Life Centre, defying broader economic anxieties and inflation worries. One of the most iconic cultural events in Canada, the 10-day festival has already seen significant spending on food, fashion, and entertainment—despite growing economic pressure from a U.S.-Canada trade standoff.
A purple ube-flavoured corn cob, priced at $15, summed up the mood. “Overpriced, but it’s my first Stampede,” said Allison Zhou, a 25-year-old attendee from Toronto. “It’s unique—I’m down to try it.”
No Budget, Just Big Fun
From teens to seniors, festival-goers are loosening their wallets. Doug Coleman, 64, flew in from the Maritimes to see Shania Twain, this year’s parade marshal. “I’ll buy what I want. I deserve it,” he said while tapping his credit card for $26 crocodile-themed lemonade.
The Stampede’s midway is bursting with high-priced offerings: $13 corndogs, $16 parmesan fries, and boutique fashion. Yet visitors like Fred Parafina, who scored $200 snake-skin boots for his wife, still find value amid the splurge.
Chuckwagon Auction Shatters Records
The annual chuckwagon tarp auction, a signature of the Stampede, reflected Alberta’s bullish sentiment. The 2025 auction raised $3.84 million, nearly matching the 2012 all-time high despite having fewer drivers.
Top bid: $230,000, won by Birchcliff Energy for sponsoring champion Jason Glass. “It’s a great relief,” said Glass. “There was uncertainty, but we pulled through.”
This strong result came just months after economic jitters over U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policy rocked investor confidence.
Alberta Economy Defies National Trends
While Ontario and Quebec continue to feel the brunt of the trade conflict, resource-rich provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland are experiencing renewed confidence. Rising oil prices and liquified natural gas exports have helped insulate Alberta’s economy from the downturn elsewhere.
Mark Parsons, Chief Economist at ATB Financial, noted, “The Stampede is Alberta’s economic bellwether—it shows how confident people are feeling.”
Attendance Boom, Travel Twist
Stampede attendance hit 1.47 million in 2024, and officials expect to break that record in 2025. VIP seating for rodeos and concerts sold out before opening day. Staycations are also fuelling the surge as Canadians opt for local getaways.
Interestingly, while overall U.S. travel to Canada is down 8.9%, Calgary saw a 29% increase in American visitors by air, bucking the national trend.
