The Red Deer Pro Rodeo is set to return to the city this spring, with three days of professional competition taking place from May 21 to May 23, 2026, at the Marchant Crane Centrium.
Organized by the Westerner Exposition Association, the event will feature eight Canadian Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned events. Competitors will participate in saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping.
According to Westerner Park CEO Shelly Flint, the decision to bring professional rodeo back was a direct response to consistent feedback from the community. The event aims to tap into the region’s long-standing western heritage, which dates back to the city’s first full-scale stampede in 1922 and includes the history of the Silver Buckle Rodeo and the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Doors at the venue will open at 6:00 p.m. each evening, with rodeo action following from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Attendees will also have access to a nightly music cabaret in the adjacent pavilion, which is included in the price of admission. The event serves as an early stop on the professional circuit, allowing athletes to earn points and prize money early in the season.
Support for the launch was provided by a group of founding donors, including principal donors John and Heather Donald. With the capacity to host nearly 8,000 spectators, organizers are preparing for large crowds as the event brings professional rodeo competition back to Central Alberta.
