The Calgary Stampede is significantly boosting its security measures ahead of the 2026 event, which is expected to attract nearly 1.5 million visitors. A new Stampede Park Operations Centre (POC) was unveiled to the media on Tuesday, showcasing the enhanced coordination and monitoring capabilities that will be in place for the July 3-12 festivities.
Centralized Command and Real-Time Monitoring
Located in an undisclosed area of the grounds, the POC will house Calgary Stampede personnel alongside first responders, an on-site meteorologist, and other agencies. The centre will continuously monitor crowd movement, transportation, medical response, event operations, and weather conditions, according to Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment at the Calgary Stampede.
The new facility provides space for four additional team members compared to last year, allowing agencies to move and liaise more effectively. “I think back to even 10 years ago, while everybody or almost everybody was co-located here, we were in different separate offices,” Blizard said. “Having us co-located, able to see the same information, hear the same information at the same time, just allows us to react that much more quickly, with that much more coordination.”
Extensive Camera Network and Enhanced Screening
The park already has around 500 cameras operational year-round, and an additional 100 cameras will be added specifically for the Stampede. While some security measures are visible to the public, the operations centre remains hidden to prevent unauthorized access and maintain operational security. “Keeping it private prevents additional people from entering the space since it is an operational venue,” Blizard explained.
Operational adjustments have been implemented to manage attendance and improve guest flow in high-demand areas. These include rebalancing the music lineup across different venues and stages, increasing security at all entrances, enhancing screening processes, and providing additional training for staff.
Crowd Management and Police Coordination
The Stampede has engaged a crowd management expert and hosted a training session earlier this year. “We brought in a crowd management expert that we’ve worked with for a number of years and we hosted a crowd management training session earlier this year that included our partners from EMS, CPS, CEMA, as well as our contract security providers and key personnel from Calgary Stampede,” Blizard said.
Calgary Police Service is also expanding its presence. Inspector JF Dery announced that in addition to the temporary district police established annually during Stampede, a second temporary district will be dedicated to major festivals and music tents that draw large crowds and serve alcohol. “Each district will have its own commander, dispatcher, police officers, radio channel and emergency operation center,” Dery said. “This structure allows us to coordinate policing across Stampede Park and the downtown core to ensure that all areas are well patrolled.”
Officers will work alongside partner agencies, including Alberta Sheriffs, Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, and the Blood Tribe Police Service.
