Calgary Stampede wrap-up: Attendance, crowd concerns, horse death, and more

Another Calgary Stampede is in the books, and this year was sure one to remember.

Here are some highlights from the 2025 Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Attendance high, but not record-breaking

Despite being on track to set an all-time attendance record, the 2025 Calgary Stampede fell just short of breaking a record.

Event officials say the final count for this year’s event was 1,470,288, after 121,704 people came through the gates on the last Sunday of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

That puts this year’s 10-day extravaganza attendance in second place behind 2024, which hit 1,477,953.

Concerns about crowds

Although no records were broken, concerns were raised this Stampede about crowd sizes, particularly for the Coca-Cola Stage.

Attendees who purchase entry to Stampede Park are able to watch the on-site concerts without any additional charge.

On Tuesday, July 8, hip-hop artist Don Toliver drew a massive crowd to the stage, with spectators filling an area much larger than the one dedicated for concert-goers.

That same night, three teenagers were sent to hospital after being stabbed on the Stampede Midway.

Officials say the concert ended about 15 minutes before the incident took place, and there is no indication the stabbing had anything to do with the show.

How the suspects were able to get an edged weapon through metal detectors and Stampede security is part of an investigation that has so far revealed no suspects.

Massive crowds also gathered at the stage on Wednesday, July 9, to watch artists Amine and Khalid.

Horse euthanized on Day 9 of Rangeland Derby

A horse belonging to Chad Fike’s chuckwagon team was injured during the eighth heat of the Rangeland Derby on Saturday, July 8.

Stampede CEO Joel Cowley explained the right-wheel horse, named Rider, suffered a fracture to his left-front cannon bone.

“Upon consulting with the veterinarian on the track, it was decided that the most humane thing to do would be to euthanize that animal,” he said. “Our condolences go out to the Fike family for their loss.”

This was the only animal death at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. Four animals died in the previous year.

Another horse had to be taken away following an incident during the Stampede Parade. The horse was caught in a harness, falling to the ground while handlers tried to help it and calm it down.

The Blackfoot Confederacy thanked handler Justin Bruised Head for ensuring the safety of his father’s wagon team, saying he represented the Blackfoot Confederacy with “skill and leadership.”

Politician appearances, and PM’s failed pancake flipping

As usual, politicians of all stripes showed up to the Calgary Stampede to get a taste of western heritage and connect with Albertans and tourists alike.

Many of those meetings took place at pancake breakfasts, of which this year there were hundreds.

At a breakfast hosted by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters on Saturday, July 5, Mark Carney took in his first Stampede as prime minister.

He did well with the hand-shaking and smiling, but when it came time to flip the flapjacks, the execution was a bit rough.

“I was better in Ottawa,” Carney joked. “I got a little cocky there. I’ll take responsibility.”

Sliding the two pancake mishaps to the side, Carney said: “These are mine. I’m not making anyone eat these.”

Premier Danielle Smith was also at the breakfast, one of many she took in during the 10 days, including her own event which drew hundreds.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was also in town, hosting a barbecue at Heritage Park where he addressed a tent of several hundred supporters.

The Conservative leader is seeking to regain his spot in the House of Commons after losing his long-held seat in Ottawa in the recent federal election. At the event, Poilievre was introduced by Damien Kurek, the former member of Parliament who stepped aside so he could run for the seat. 

The Conservative leader took the chance to chirp the PM about his pancake flipping.

“He thought he would be great at it because in his talks with Donald Trump, he’s had so much experience flip-flopping,” Poilievre said.

“A careful review of a slow-motion replay demonstrated exactly what the problem was. He couldn’t figure out whether to keep his elbows up.”

-With files from Alejandro Melgar and Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press