ENMAX expands Calgary Stampede partnership with title sponsorship of Relay Races

CALGARY — ENMAX is taking on a larger role at the Calgary Stampede, becoming the new title sponsor of the ENMAX Relay Races as part of an expanded partnership with one of Canada’s signature rodeo and western sport events.

For NetNewsLedger readers in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, the move is another sign of the growing commercial and community investment surrounding major rodeo events in Canada, where sport, entertainment and local identity are closely tied.

Relay Races get new title partner for 2026 Stampede

The Calgary-based utility has sponsored the Stampede since 2002, and its new agreement adds one of the Evening Show’s most popular events to that relationship.

The Relay Races have become a staple of the nightly program, known for their speed, coordinated rider exchanges and crowd appeal. Stampede officials say the event has continued to build momentum with fans and now stands as one of the must-watch features of the Evening Show.

Martha Mackay, director of sponsorship at the Calgary Stampede, said the expanded partnership reflects a relationship that has continued to grow over more than two decades.
She said ENMAX’s support of fan-favourite events such as the Relay Races, along with community programming, helps strengthen experiences that matter to guests and to Calgary.

Partnership goes beyond the track

The expanded sponsorship also reaches well beyond the Evening Show.

ENMAX will serve as presenting sponsor of Caravan Breakfasts, supporting free community breakfasts held across Calgary ahead of and during Stampede week. The company is also continuing its support of Community Round Up and the Pop-Up Neighbour Program, both aimed at bringing Stampede activities into neighbourhoods across the city.

Stampede organizers say the Pop-Up Neighbour initiative plays an important role in welcoming new Calgarians by bringing elements of the event directly into their communities.

In addition, ENMAX will provide mobile charging stations throughout Stampede Park during the 2026 event.

Longstanding Calgary partnership remains rooted in community

Alexandra Frison, ENMAX director of communications and community impact, said the partnership reflects a shared focus on community, tradition and bringing people together.
She said the Calgary Stampede and ENMAX have both long been part of the city’s story, and that the partnership is centred on creating a shared experience for Calgarians, Albertans and visitors.

ENMAX also remains the official and exclusive retail supplier of electricity and natural gas for Stampede Park, continuing its operational role behind the scenes as well as its public-facing sponsorship presence.

Why it matters beyond Alberta

For audiences across Canada, including in Northwestern Ontario, the Calgary Stampede remains more than a regional festival. It is one of the country’s best-known western sports events and a major part of the summer sports and entertainment calendar.

That matters for Canadian rodeo coverage because sponsorship deals such as this help sustain the events that attract national audiences, major performers and broad tourism interest. In that sense, the expanded ENMAX agreement is not just a Calgary business story. It also reflects the scale and staying power of rodeo-based entertainment in Canada.

2026 tickets already on sale

Tickets for the 2026 Calgary Stampede Evening Show are now on sale. The nightly program will include the ENMAX Relay Races, the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races presented by Play Alberta and the Grandstand Show presented by Freedom Mobile.
The 2026 Calgary Stampede is scheduled for July 3 to 12.