The 90th Ponoka Stampede opened on June 25, 2026, in Ponoka, Alberta, launching a week of rodeo action, chuckwagon races, live concerts and family fun that runs through Canada Day on July 1.
Opening night drew a sold-out crowd as country legend Dwight Yoakam performed on the Main Stage after the rodeo. A fireworks display followed, and the Showdown Dance Hall offered free admission before 11 p.m. with an evening ticket, where Paige Rutledge took the stage.
The 2026 event celebrates the Year of the Cowgirl, with a special focus on women’s rodeo. The Ladies Breakaway Roping purse has been increased to $45,000, thanks to sponsorship from CVS Controls, making it one of Canada’s richest. Ladies Barrel Racing also features prominently, and dedicated cowgirl programming runs all week. On opening day, B.C. rookie Falyn Thomson set a blazing 2.5-second time in breakaway roping aboard her horse Chili Pepper.
Six nights of chuckwagon racing and concerts lie ahead. The lineup includes Waylon Wyatt on June 26, John Riggins on June 27, Cooper Alan on June 28, Sawyer Brown on June 29, and the Hunter Brothers on June 30. Canadian’s Greatest Horseman competition runs alongside the rodeo, while Canada’s largest traveling midway and nightly fireworks round out the entertainment.
Free parking, free camping and a free shuttle service make the event accessible for families, and the Wild West Trade Show offers free admission. Tickets are selling fast for remaining performances, with the Wild West PBR Ponoka on June 27 nearly sold out. Top bull riders including two-time PBR Canada champion Nick Tetz of Calgary and Quebec’s 19-year-old rookie Jeremy Maissoneuve are expected to compete.
The milestone anniversary honours longtime volunteers Del Vold, 95, and Elva Lewis, 101, as honorary presidents. A tribute is also planned for Frank Mickey, a lifetime member who passed away in November 2025 at 98 after nearly 80 years with the Ponoka Stampede.
