Grey Cup Festival 2026 in Calgary: Schedule, Lineup & Free Events
The Grey Cup Festival 2026 brings five days of football parties, concerts and Western fun to Calgary from November 11 to 15. Most of the action happens at Stampede Park, and many events are free. It all builds to the 113th Grey Cup between the Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks at McMahon Stadium on Sunday, November 15.
Grey Cup Festival 2026: Key Details at a Glance
| Dates | Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Main Venue | Stampede Park, Calgary (Lot 3, BMO Centre, Big Four Roadhouse) |
| Free Events | Suncor Street Festival, Outdoor Community Stage, TELUS Family Zone, pancake breakfasts, drone shows, game day tailgate |
| Concerts | The Trews, Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas, James Barker Band with Jade Eagleson |
| Rodeos | Saturday, November 14, featuring Drew Gregory |
| Game | 113th Grey Cup, Alouettes vs Elks, Sunday, November 15, McMahon Stadium |
| Halftime Show | Riley Green |
When and Where Is the Grey Cup Festival 2026?
The Grey Cup Festival 2026 runs from Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15. Stampede Park is the festival hub. Lot 3 hosts the free street festival, the BMO Centre hosts the team parties and family zone, and the Big Four Roadhouse hosts the concerts.
Game day moves to McMahon Stadium in northwest Calgary. It is Calgary’s sixth time hosting the Grey Cup and its first since 2019. All festival times below are local Calgary time (MT).
Grey Cup Festival 2026 Schedule
Wednesday, November 11
| Event | Time (MT) | Venue | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kick-Off Party with The Trews | 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM | Big Four Roadhouse | Ticketed |
| Suncor Street Festival | 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
| Outdoor Community Stage | 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
Thursday, November 12
| Event | Time (MT) | Venue | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pancake Breakfast | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
| Street Festival, Community Stage and TELUS Family Zone | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3 and BMO Centre | Free |
| CFLPA Players’ HQ | 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Rooftop YYC | Free |
| FanDuel Team Parties open | From 4:00 PM to 1:30 AM | BMO Centre | Ticketed, 18+ |
| Thursday Night Concert: Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas | 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM | Big Four Roadhouse | Ticketed, 18+ |
| Drone Show | 8:45 PM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
Friday, November 13
| Event | Time (MT) | Venue | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Plan: Sport, Business & Leadership | 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM | Fairmont Palliser | Ticketed |
| Pancake Breakfast | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
| Street Festival, Community Stage and TELUS Family Zone | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3 and BMO Centre | Free |
| CFLAA Legends Luncheon | 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM | Big Four Roadhouse | Ticketed |
| FanDuel Team Parties | 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM | BMO Centre | Ticketed, 18+ |
| CFLPA Players’ HQ | 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Rooftop YYC | Free |
| Drone Show | 8:45 PM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
Saturday, November 14
| Event | Time (MT) | Venue | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletes in Action Breakfast | 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM | Big Four Roadhouse | Ticketed |
| Spirit of Edmonton Breakfast | 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM | BMO Centre Hall D | Ticketed, 18+ |
| Girls In Sport Summit | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Scotiabank Saddledome | Registration |
| Pancake Breakfast | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
| Street Festival, Community Stage and TELUS Family Zone | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3 and BMO Centre | Free |
| Matinee Rodeo with Drew Gregory | 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Nutrien Western Event Centre | Ticketed |
| CFLPA Players’ HQ | 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Rooftop YYC | Free |
| FanDuel Team Parties | From 12:00 PM to 1:30 AM | BMO Centre | Ticketed, 18+ |
| Cheer Extravaganza | 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM | Scotiabank Saddledome | Ticketed |
| Evening Rodeo with Drew Gregory | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Nutrien Western Event Centre | Ticketed |
| Saturday Night Concert: James Barker Band and Jade Eagleson | 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM | Big Four Roadhouse | Ticketed, 18+ |
| Drone Show | 8:45 PM to 9:00 PM | Lot 3, Stampede Park | Free |
Sunday, November 15 (Game Day)
| Event | Time (MT) | Venue | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| FanDuel Game Day Tailgate | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM | McMahon Stadium, East Lot | Free |
| FanDuel VIP Game Day Tailgate | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM | McMahon Stadium, East Lot | Ticketed, 18+ |
| 113th Grey Cup: Alouettes vs Elks | 5:00 PM kickoff | McMahon Stadium | Ticketed |
Grey Cup Festival 2026 Concert Lineup
- The Trews open the festival at the Kick-Off Party on November 11, joined by the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Pipes and Drums. The party starts with a Remembrance Day moment honouring Canada’s veterans.
- Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas headline the Thursday Night Concert at the Big Four Roadhouse.
- James Barker Band and Jade Eagleson close the festival week at the Saturday Night Concert.
- Drew Gregory performs at both Saturday rodeo shows.
On game day, Riley Green headlines the Bud Light Grey Cup Halftime Show and Sarah McLachlan sings the national anthem. Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor give a pre-game performance, and James Barker Band plays the SiriusXM Grey Cup Kickoff Show.
Free Events at the Grey Cup Festival 2026
You do not need a ticket to enjoy much of Grey Cup week. The Suncor Street Festival takes over Lot 3 at Stampede Park, between the Big Four Roadhouse and the BMO Centre. It offers:
- Free pancake breakfasts from Thursday to Saturday
- Live local music on the Outdoor Community Stage
- Nightly drone shows over Stampede Park
- The Beacon XL art installation and a Northern Lights experience
- A heated warming zone and family-friendly licensed beer gardens
Families can also visit the free TELUS Family Zone inside the BMO Centre, meet players at the CFLPA Players’ HQ at Rooftop YYC, and join the free Game Day Tailgate outside McMahon Stadium on Sunday.
FanDuel Team Parties
Each fan base gets its own party hall in the BMO Centre from Thursday to Saturday. These parties are 18+ and need a ticket.
| Party | Team | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Stamps House | Calgary Stampeders | BMO Centre Hall B |
| Lions Den | BC Lions | BMO Centre Hall C |
| Spirit of Edmonton | Edmonton Elks | BMO Centre Hall D |
| Riderville | Saskatchewan Roughriders | BMO Centre Hall E |
| Touchdown Manitoba | Winnipeg Blue Bombers | BMO Centre Hall F |
| East Coast Kitchen Party | Eastern and Atlantic fans | BMO Centre Palomino Room |
With the Elks in the Grey Cup, expect Spirit of Edmonton to be the busiest party of the week.
Rodeos, Cheer and Family Events
Calgary shows off its Western roots with two family rodeo shows at the Nutrien Western Event Centre on Saturday, November 14. Both feature horse and bull riding plus music from country artist Drew Gregory.
The same day, the Scotiabank Saddledome hosts the Girls In Sport Summit, which brings 300 girls aged 8 to 14 together for football and cheer clinics. It is followed by the Cheer Extravaganza, featuring cheer teams from across Canada.
How to Get Grey Cup Festival Tickets
Tickets for concerts, team parties, rodeos and special events are sold on the official Grey Cup Festival website. The Kick-Off Party had general admission tickets at $45. Some events sell out, so book early.
Want to be at the game itself? See our Grey Cup 2026 tickets guide for prices and where to buy.
Tips for Visiting the Grey Cup Festival
- Use the CTrain: Stampede Park has its own CTrain stops, and parking is limited during festival week.
- Dress warm: The street festival is outdoors in November. Use the warming zone between activities.
- Bring ID: Team parties and evening concerts are 18+.
- Stay for the drones: The drone show runs at 8:45 PM from Thursday to Saturday.
Grey Cup Festival 2026 FAQ
When is the Grey Cup Festival 2026?
The festival runs from Wednesday, November 11 to Sunday, November 15, 2026, in Calgary.
Where is the Grey Cup Festival held?
Most events take place at Stampede Park, including Lot 3, the BMO Centre and the Big Four Roadhouse. Game day events move to McMahon Stadium.
Is the Grey Cup Festival free?
Many events are free, including the Suncor Street Festival, pancake breakfasts, drone shows, the TELUS Family Zone and the Game Day Tailgate. Concerts, team parties and rodeos need tickets.
Who is performing at the Grey Cup Festival 2026?
The Trews, Alan Doyle with The Strumbellas, James Barker Band, Jade Eagleson and Drew Gregory. Riley Green headlines the Grey Cup halftime show.
Are the team parties open to all ages?
No. The FanDuel Team Parties in the BMO Centre are 18+ and require a ticket.
Is there a tailgate on Grey Cup Sunday?
Yes. The free FanDuel Game Day Tailgate runs from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM MT in the East Lot at McMahon Stadium. A ticketed VIP tailgate runs at the same time.
The Grey Cup Festival 2026 turns Calgary into Canada’s football capital for five days. Grab a free pancake breakfast, catch a concert, cheer at your team’s party and end the week with Alouettes vs Elks. Can’t make it to Calgary? Here is how to watch the Grey Cup 2026 live.
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