February 9, 2025
COVID-19 forces cancellation of Calgary Stampede for first time in nearly a century
Calgarians have questioned how Stampede could possibly go ahead considering COVID-19's risks. The festival records more than one million attendees yearly.
Calgarians have questioned how Stampede could possibly go ahead considering COVID-19’s risks. The festival records more than one million attendees yearly.

Hell or high water couldn’t stop the Calgary Stampede, but a virus will.

Stampede president and board chair Dana Peers announced Thursday that the COVID-19 pandemic means the biggest event of the summer won’t go ahead.

Calling off Stampede is unprecedented. The event has never been cancelled since it became an annual event nearly a century ago. Even in 2013, when devastating flooding damaged many of the buildings on Stampede grounds days before the festival, the celebrations went on.

“It was not a decision we came by lightly, but it is a decision in the best interest of public health and safety,” Peers said. He added that the organization is now looking to possible events in the fall and winter, as well as the 2021 Stampede.

“I promise you that this is not the end to Stampede spirit this year, or in years to come.”

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