A staggering number of people are expected at Calgary's Grey Cup Festival
We are now less than three weeks away from the 113th Grey Cup getting underway in Calgary at the McMahon Stadium.
Unfortunately for Calgarians, the Stampeders won’t be taking part, as they were eliminated from playoff contention in the final week of the regular season after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were able to defeat the BC Lions.
Despite the Stampeders’ absence, there is still plenty for Calgarians, as well as those travelling to the city, to look forward to. And it’s not just the game itself.
The Grey Cup Festival is set to get underway at Stampede Park on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and will carry on right until the highly anticipated game gets underway on Sunday.
The Grey Cup Festival
Hosting such an event always helps provide an economic boost to the city. Those planning this massive festivity believe it will do just that based on how many individuals they expect to make their way down to Stampede Park.
“We expect to see upwards of 300,000 people coming through Stampede Park in those four days,” Karen Dommett, executive director of the 2026 Grey Cup, told Global News.
“This is a huge economic boost for our city to be hosting this with all the different events. It’s where Canada comes together under one flag from coast-to-coast-to-coast no matter who is playing in the game.”
The festival will feature a mix of free and ticketed events, with live entertainment, family-friendly activities and unique experiences planned throughout the four days.
The Grey Cup Festival
The Suncor Street Festival will feature live entertainment, a licensed beer garden, outdoor activities, and an immersive art show. Visitors can also catch a northern lights experience and a drone show scheduled for Nov. 12 to 14.
The festival will also bring back its traditional pancake breakfast, presented by MNP, which takes place daily from Nov. 12 to 14. The tradition dates back to the first Grey Cup Festival in 1948.
Families can explore the free Telus Family Zone inside the BMO Centre, while music fans can check out performances by artists including The Trews, Alan Doyle, and The Strumbellas. Free daily programming will also take place at the Outdoor Community Stage presented by Coca-Cola.
Football fans can attend the FanDuel Team Parties at the BMO Centre from Thursday through Saturday, with themed spaces representing teams from across Canada. The 18-plus events offer single-day passes and a three-day package.
The Grey Cup Festival / Facebook
Saturday’s schedule will also include rodeo performances at the Nutrien Western Event Centre, featuring bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback, and other events, along with a cheer showcase at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected, the festival is shaping up to be a major event for Calgary, even without the Stampeders competing for the Grey Cup.
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