Stampede will 'evaluate' which artists it books for free shows amid crowd safety concerns
An official had previously called Coca-Cola Stage concert in question 'a great success'
The Calgary Stampede will be "evaluating" which artists it books for free concerts at the Coca-Cola Stage following concerns around overcrowding.
The stage, which offers free outdoor concerts headlined by up-and-coming local artists and international stars, was subject to questions around its choice of talent when concerns were raised about overcrowding during a performance by hip-hop superstar Don Toliver on July 8.
During a media availability on Sunday, Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley said the safety of attendees is "at the very, very top of our list" as the organization moves forward.
"Going into 2026, one of our focal points will be continuing to evolve the Coke Stage, because we want our guests there to be comfortable, and feel safe and secure," he said.
Cowley pointed to two shows in particular — those headlined by Toliver and R&B singer Khalid — as drawing the largest crowds.
"We had two very large, high-volume nights this last week, and we know that some of our guests did not feel comfortable, so we will continue to evaluate that," he said.
Kerrie Blizard, the Calgary Stampede's director of public safety, said during a media availability last week following the Toliver concert that she thought it "was a great success" based on attendance and audience feedback.
Cowley pointed to preparations put in place ahead of those concerts, including alternate viewing locations being set up with livestreams of the shows — which he acknowledged were poorly attended by concertgoers — and collaborations with the Calgary Police Service, which put out a statement ahead of the Toliver concert to offer safety tips.
"We also have to evaluate which artists we place on that stage," he said.
"We know these high-demand artists, those that draw a younger crowd, tend to be a little less ruly than, say, a classic rock band that goes there, and so all of those things will be evaluated."
Admission to concerts at the Coca-Cola Stage are included with admission to the Calgary Stampede. There are no age restrictions or attendance limits.
Cowley said the organization is looking at adding "additional barriers" to prevent overcrowding toward the front of the stage. He said Stampede staffers will be "travelling to another event" to observe safety measures in place there.
"We pride ourselves on being a music festival," he said, pointing to the over 100 acts that took the stage across the Stampede's three major concert venues: the indoor Big Four Roadhouse, Nashville North party tent and Coca-Cola Stage.
"There are people who come to Calgary during these 10 days with the sole intent of watching [concerts]," Cowley said. "It's a way you can draw a very diverse audience and share our Western hospitality."
Attendance high, but falls short of last year's record
According to the Calgary Stampede, 1,470,288 people visited Stampede Park over the course of this year's event.
The figure falls short of the attendance record set in 2024 — 1,477,953 visitors — but earns the 113th Calgary Stampede the title of second-most-attended.
Stuart O'Connor, president and chair of the Calgary Stampede board, said those numbers reflect the diverse nature of the event.
"No matter where you're coming from, and no matter what you're interested in, there is something for everyone during Stampede," he said.
The most-attended day this year — and second-most-attended day in Stampede history — was Tuesday, July 8, which offered free admission early in the day, as well as being the date of the controversial Toliver concert.
Cowley said the Stampede works to manage its growing crowd sizes in a variety of ways.
"We know which days are gonna be more attractive to attend than others," he said.
"Those free admission days, we know that we're going to get great attendance on those days," he continued. "The great thing about those is that we require those people to come in free early. They typically don't stay all day."
Cowley said the demolition of the Scotiabank Saddledome, which he said happens "hopefully by 2030," will help the Stampede increase attendance and better accommodate larger crowds by adding 11 acres to the park.
He indicated the Stampede is not currently looking at imposing attendance limits.
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With files from Nick Brizuela