Calgary, It's Time to Saddle Up! The Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival Kicks Off Today!
Four days of free family fun, live music, football, rodeos and unforgettable experiences await as Calgary gets ready to welcome Canada
CALGARY, AB – Calgary, the wait is over! Today, the Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival officially kicks off, and organizers are inviting Calgarians of all ages to head down to Stampede Park in the heart of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District and be part of Canada's biggest football celebration.
"This is the moment we've been working toward, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome everyone to the Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival," said Karen Dommett, Executive Director, 2026 Grey Cup. "We've created a Festival that truly has something for everyone, whether you're coming for the football, the music, the family-friendly activities or just to soak up the atmosphere. My message to Calgarians is simple: come down, bring your friends and family, and be part of something special. You don't need to be a football fan to have a great time!"
From November 11–14, Stampede Park will transform into a hub of live entertainment, family-friendly activities, Canadian football traditions and unique experiences, bringing together visitors from across the country and the Calgary community for four days of celebration.
“Alberta is proud to welcome fans from across the country for the 113th Grey Cup and Festival,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport. “Major sport events like this, showcase our province on the national stage, support local businesses, and inspire the next generation of athletes. We encourage fans to experience the excitement and celebrate everything that makes our province a great sport tourism destination.”
Whether you're a lifelong football fan, looking for a fun family outing or simply want to experience the excitement happening in your city, there's something for everyone. With a mix of free and ticketed events, the Festival offers countless ways to get involved, make memories and celebrate together.
"This celebration brings people together and creates lasting memories and I can’t think of a better way for Cenovus Energy to help showcase what makes Calgary and all of Canada so vibrant,” said Jeff Lawson, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development. "The Grey Cup Festival is a uniquely Canadian tradition, and we're excited to help make it accessible and welcoming for families, fans and the entire community. We can't wait to see the energy and excitement at Stampede Park."
The festivities begin Wednesday, November 11, with the official Grey Cup Festival Kick-Off Party at the Big Four Roadhouse, featuring the Young Canadians and an acoustic performance by The Trews and The Calgary Highlanders, with a special tribute in honour of Remembrance Day.
The excitement also extends outdoors, with a special sneak peek of the Suncor Street Festival beginning at 4:30 p.m., ahead of the Calgary Flames game, and a FREE concert featuring The Trews at 5:15pm. The full Festival opens Thursday morning at 11am.
Media Note - attached for your reference are the following schedules: Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival, the entertainment lineup for the Outdoor Community Stage, presented by Coca-Cola, at the Suncor Street Festival, and the Children’s Variety Stage inside the TELUS Family Zone.
Festival highlights include:
FREE - Suncor Street Festival: A free outdoor celebration featuring live music, daily free
pancake breakfasts, football activities, interactive art installations, Indigenous games demonstrations, family-friendly Festival tailgate, presented by Badger Infrastructure Solutions, nightly drone shows and the Warming Zone, presented by ATCO Energy.
FREE - TELUS Family Zone: Free indoor family fun at the BMO Centre, including interactive games, football activities, entertainment and experiences for fans of all ages.
TICKETED - Thursday Night Concert, presented by Ticketmaster headlined by Alan Doyle featuring The Strumbellas at the Big Four Roadhouse
TICKETED - Saturday Night Country Concert, presented by Bud Light, featuring James Barker Band and Jade Eagleson at the Big Four Roadhouse
FREE - Local Live Entertainment made possible by Calgary Arts Development: Celebrate Calgary's vibrant music scene with talented local artists performing across two stages throughout the Festival, bringing live music and entertainment to the heart of the celebrations.
TICKETED - Matinee and evening Rodeos, presented by Oil Sands Alliance: Two actionpacked rodeo performances on Saturday, November 14, bringing a taste of Calgary's western spirit to Grey Cup Week.
TICKETED - FanDuel Team Parties: The legendary Grey Cup Festival tradition returns, giving fans access to Canada’s biggest indoor pub crawl.
FREE - Football experiences: Interactive activations, youth programming and opportunities to celebrate the athletes and traditions that make Canadian football special.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Girls in Sport Summit, co-presented by William Huff and Inter Pipeline: The first-ever Girls in Sport Summit in Grey Cup Festival history, bringing together girls ages 8–14 for an inspiring day of football, cheer and confidence-building experiences.
TICKETED - CFL Alumni Association Legends Luncheon, presented by Surge Energy and Ensign Energy: A special gathering celebrating the players, personalities and stories that have shaped Canadian football. The event also features an interactive fundraiser for the CFLAA Support Fund, supporting retired CFL players facing hardship.
The celebration also highlights Calgary’s ability to host major national events while creating opportunities for tourism, sport and community participation.
“Calgary is ready to welcome Canada, and we're going to put on one heck of a show!” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas. “The Grey Cup is our chance to celebrate Canada's game and everything that brings us together. Volunteerism is in our bones. When the country comes to town, Calgarians step up and make everyone feel at home. Our streets will be buzzing. Our local businesses will be packed. And the whole city will be celebrating. Whether you're a football fan or not, there's something for everyone. Let's show Canada how Calgary celebrates!”
"Grey Cup Week has always been about so much more than the championship game," said Jay McNeil, President of the Calgary Stampeders Football Club. "It's about the traditions, friendships and shared experiences that bring Canadians together year after year. As the host team, we're incredibly proud to bring this celebration back to Calgary for the sixth time, and we know our city will embrace every moment of it."
The Festival is expected to welcome more than 350,000 attendees, including over 35,000 visitors from outside Calgary, creating an opportunity to showcase the city's hospitality and attractions.
“This is an exciting time for Calgary! We’re ready to welcome visitors from coast to coast and showcase the iconic western hospitality that has earned the city its reputation as one of the friendliest in the world,” says Alisha Reynolds, President & CEO of Tourism Calgary. “Beyond the excitement of the festivities, the Grey Cup Festival and 113th Grey Cup is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the power of sport in enhancing community vibrancy and creating substantial economic value for the city. The Festival will provide a meaningful lift for local businesses, provide accessible opportunities for people to experience sport and showcase Calgary’s culture to fans across the country.”
Following four days of Festival celebrations, all eyes will turn to McMahon Stadium on Sunday, November 15, as the Montreal Alouettes and the Edmonton Elks face off in the 113th Grey Cup.
Fans can look forward to an unforgettable game-day atmosphere, with both the free FanDuel Game Day Tailgate and the FanDuel VIP Game Day Tailgate offering exciting ways to kick off the celebrations. The excitement continues inside McMahon Stadium with the SiriusXM Grey Cup Kick-Off Show featuring James Barker Band, a special pregame performance by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor of Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan performing the national anthem and Riley Green taking the stage for the Bud Light Grey Cup Halftime Show.
Tickets to the 113th Grey Cup are still available, but fans are encouraged not to wait, with many of the lower to mid-priced ticket options already sold out.
For the full Festival schedule, event details and tickets, visit greycupfestival.ca.
– 30 –
For more information, please contact:
Christina Bullock
Director, Marketing and Communications – 2026 Grey Cup
403-370-0163
