Indigenous relay racing and rodeo will take over GMC Stadium on June 13.
Calgary Stampede says it will stage the inaugural First Nations Rodeo & Relay three weeks before the 2026 Stampede opens.
When is the first nations rodeo & relay at calgary stampede?
The event is set for Saturday, June 13, with a 6:30 p.m. start time, the Stampede says. It will run at GMC Stadium on Stampede Park, a venue usually reserved for high-attendance shows and major competitions.
Tickets go on sale March 23, starting at $30, plus applicable taxes and fees, according to the Stampede. Organizers have not yet published a full schedule of events inside the evening program.
The June date places the show roughly three weeks ahead of the main Calgary Stampede festival. The 10-day Stampede typically begins in early July, when Stampede Park hosts rodeo, chuckwagon racing, concerts, and daily events across the grounds.
Who is running the event with the calgary stampede?
Calgary Stampede says it created the First Nations Rodeo & Relay in partnership with the Indian National Finals Rodeo. The Stampede also says Elbow River Camp Tipi Holder advisors from Treaty 7 First Nations support the project.
Stampede CEO Joel Cowley framed the event as part of an ongoing relationship with Elbow River Camp. “The Calgary Stampede First Nations Rodeo & Relay is more than a competition, it’s a gathering of community and cultures, and a testament to our enduring relationship with the Tipi Holders from Elbow River Camp,” Cowley said.
Cowley said the program will spotlight Indigenous sport and performance. “This event will be a powerful celebration of Indigenous athleticism, horsemanship and culture,” he said.
The Calgary Stampede First Nations Rodeo & Relay is more than a competition, it’s a gathering of community and cultures, and a testament to our enduring relationship with the Tipi Holders from Elbow River Camp.
The partnership also lines up with a milestone for the touring rodeo organisation. The Stampede says the Indian National Finals Rodeo is marking its 50th anniversary.
What events will be included in the first nations rodeo & relay?
Calgary Stampede says the night will include eight rodeo events and five heats of relay racing. The program also includes cultural performances and a marketplace featuring First Nations vendors.
INFR vice-president Jim Stevens said the Calgary stop adds momentum during an anniversary year. “Adding this event to our tour schedule is incredibly exciting, especially as we celebrate the INFR’s 50th anniversary,” Stevens said.
Stevens said the focus extends beyond the arena. “The Calgary Stampede First Nations Rodeo & Relay is not just about rodeo, it’s about showcasing our talent and our cultures,” he said.
Relay racing draws particular attention for its pace and risk. Teams typically swap riders across multiple laps, with quick horse changes that can decide the outcome by fractions of a second.
Which indigenous competitors are expected to travel to calgary?
Organizers expect competitors from across Canada and the United States, with some travelling from as far as Florida, the Stampede says. The event aims to bring together riders, ropers, and relay teams in a single Calgary showcase.
Cody Big Tobacco, a horseman with the Big Tobacco relay racing team from Siksika Nation, said the stadium setting matters. “Any time you get to run in GMC Stadium, with the atmosphere and huge crowd, it’s always exciting,” Big Tobacco said.
Big Tobacco said the night can introduce relay racing to new fans on Stampede Park. “This is a great opportunity for people to come out and enjoy our culture while watching relay racing and rodeo,” he said.
The June event also fits a broader run of major ticketed dates in Calgary sports and live entertainment. The city will also share hosting duties for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, with games expected in Calgary and Edmonton.
How the event fits into stampede park’s bigger plans
The First Nations Rodeo & Relay lands as the Stampede continues to reshape how it uses its grounds across the year. The organisation has also laid out a long-range vision in its 20-year plan for Stampede Park, which includes major construction and site changes.
Details on event operations, including security, accessibility, and vendor lists, have not been released in the early announcement. Fans looking for updates can track listings and ticket links through the Stampede’s official website at calgarystampede.com.
For context on Treaty 7 Nations in the Calgary area, the Government of Canada provides background through Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. The Stampede says Treaty 7 Tipi Holder advisors are supporting the event through Elbow River Camp.
Other Canadian cities have used major cultural gatherings to create space for sport and community events outside traditional calendars. Toronto’s recent coverage of Eid crowds, for example, shows how large public gatherings can carry shared meaning beyond a single celebration, as reported by Thousands mark Eid in Toronto.
Tickets for the First Nations Rodeo & Relay go on sale March 23, with the show set for June 13.
