Your Guide to Visiting Spruce Meadows

Since opening in 1976, Spruce Meadows has captured the imagination of Calgarians and visitors alike. Its pristine grounds play host to international horseback riding tournaments, Cavalry FC soccer matches, and Calgary’s most-visited Christmas market.

Learn what to expect from your visit to this unique-to-Calgary attraction.

Every year, between June and September, Spruce Meadows attracts 500,000 spectators to its Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tournaments . Three of these tournaments bring together the top athletes from across North America and feature a diverse range of horseback riding competitions:

• National - June

• Pan American - June

• North American - July

There’s plenty to do in-between competitions, with local vendors on-site, activities for kids, live music, and delicious food & drink options.

Masters 

The ‘Masters’ is the marquee event in the Spruce Meadow’s calendar and the third Major of the year for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Every September, the top horse and rider combinations from around the world compete for five days at Spruce Meadows ending with the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, on the Sunday.

First time going to a horseback riding event? Spruce Meadows has put together a helpful Show Jumping 101 guide.

The Spruce Meadows International Christmas Market has signalled the start of the holiday season in Calgary since 2001. It’s Calgary's version of an authentic German Christmas market.

For four weekends in November and December, the grounds are transformed into a holiday wonderland with over 300 unique vendors, carollers, a petting zoo, and plenty of fire pits to warm up next to. Santa's Reindeers even make an appearance on certain days in the Riding Hall Circle.

Once the sun goes down, Spruce Meadows sparkles with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights totaling over 50 km (31 mi) in length strung up around the grounds.

Tickets go on sale in the fall.

The Cavalry FC have become a huge fan favourite in Calgary since their first season with the Canadian Premier League in 2019. The season runs April to October with all the home matches taking place outside at Spruce Meadows.

Matches are loud, energetic affairs and the fan base is equal parts passionate and welcoming. The atmosphere extends beyond the field with food options like ‘Cork & Cleats’ and ‘Corner Kick Bar Tent’.

ATCO Field

The home of the Cavalry FC is ATCO Field, and it is beautiful. Imagine a collection of traditional grandstands surrounded by perfectly manicured grounds and stately trees.  The field is natural grass and in pristine condition as per the excellence that Spruce Meadows is known for.

Spruce Meadows is on the southern edge of Calgary and needs to be accessed by car. You can enter the grounds in one of three ways :

• Via westbound Stoney Trail (Hwy 201)

• Via eastbound Stoney Trail (Hwy 201)

• Via Macleod Trail S and 194 Avenue SW

Parking

General parking is included in the ticket price for Spruce Meadows tournaments, Cavalry FC matches, and the Christmas Market.

Accessible parking is available, with a government-issued pass, in Lots 7 & 8. You can access these lots via Spruce Meadows Green and then turn south on Tournament Lane.

Accessible seating

Limited assigned wheelchair and companion seating is available in the Southwest Grandstand for Spruce Meadows events. ATCO Field provides wheelchair and companion seating at all price points for Cavalry FC Matches

Accessible washrooms

Accessible washrooms are in Founders Plaza, behind the East Grandstand and west of the South Grandstand.

There are no hotels right at Spruce Meadows, but you don’t have to go far to find a great place to stay. Here are some fantastic south Calgary hotels, listed in order by driving distance from Spruce Meadows:

• Wingate by Wyndham Calgary South - 7.4 km or 4.6 mi

• Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South – 13.2 km or 8.2 mi

• Carriage House Hotel & Conference Centre – 14 km or 8.7 mi

• Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary South - 14.7 km or 9.1 mi

• Courtyard by Marriott Calgary South - 14.7 km or 9.1 mi