Edmonton lassoes big crowds, best rodeo athletes as gate shuts on CFR 2026

Hoof – that was some rodeo, Edmonton.

The city hosted the 52nd Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) Oct. 7 to Oct. 11, drawing 43,903 guests to Rogers Place, Explore Edmonton announced Sunday.

CFR highlights include:
• Twelve elite rodeo athletes walked away with National Championship titles;
• 120 volunteers between the ages of 15 and 85 filled more than 400 shifts across the CFR and the Cinch
Canadian Country EXPO and the Edmonton EXPO Centre;
• 1,300 people were served pancakes at the CFR Premier’s Pancake Breakfast presented by
Direct Energy;
• 15 families were supported through the Golden Circle of Champions, giving children facing
pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses a special rodeo experience, including
time with cowboys and cowgirls in a dedicated event space;
• 40 local businesses took part in the CFR Week Feature Partner Program, offering 122 western inspired experiences, menu items and specials that encouraged visitors and Edmontonians to
explore more of the city.

“There was a real energy across Edmonton during CFR Week. The city showed up, the arena was
buzzing, and we welcomed visitors who came to see the best rodeo athletes in the country compete
while experiencing everything Edmonton has to offer,” Arlindo Gomes, vice-president and executive producer of CFR, Explore Edmonton, said in the Sunday news release.

First held in Edmonton in 1974, CFR generated $32.4 million in total economic impact and more than 18,000 hotel room nights in 2025 alone.

The CFR was hosted in Edmonton until 2018 when it was moved to Red Deer under a 10-year contract. It was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic before returning to Edmonton in 2021.

Rodeo athletes competed for Canadian championship titles, capping off the professional rodeo season in Edmonton. The 2026 Canadian champions include:
• Bareback presented by Class: Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba
• Steer Wrestling presented by CVS Controls: Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta
• Ladies Breakaway Roping presented by Cook County: Bradi Whiteside, Longview, Alberta
• Ladies Barrel Racing presented by RAM: Karli Cowie, Mankota, Saskatchewan
• Saddle Bronc presented by Calgary Stampede: Ben Andersen, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
• Team Roping Heading presented by Century Mile: Kavis Drake, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
• Team Roping Heeling presented by Century Mile: Denim Ross, Botha, Alberta
• Tie Down Roping presented by CVS Controls: Austin Hines, Marwayne, Alberta
• Bull Riding presented by Explore Edmonton: Grady Young, Leader, Saskatchewan
• Novice Bareback presented by UFA: Quaide Skjonsberg, Bluffton, Alberta
• Novice Saddlebronc presented by UFA: Sawyer Hutchinson, Grasmere, British Columbia
• Junior Steer Riding presented by UFA: Ryder Topolinski, Grande Prairie, Alberta

“As we wrap CFR 2026, I want to congratulate all of the Canadian Champions but also all of our two
and four legged athletes; it takes a lot of dedication to be one of the top in Canada. Rodeo has
amazing fans and I am very proud to see the excitement on the faces in the crowd as we continue to
grow year after year both inside Roger’s Place and throughout the city,” Denny Phipps, CEO, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, said in the release.

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