June 6, 2025
CFR Wins Destination Event of the Year Award
Winners Announcement - 2025 - Edmonton Tourism Awards
In October 2024, the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) made a historic return to Edmonton to celebrate its 50th anniversary, rekindling a city-wide love affair with professional rodeo and solidifying its status as a signature destination event. Over four days, the championship drew more than 42,000 attendees, with 56 percent visiting from outside Edmonton, including international guests from the U.S., Mexico, and Australia.
CFR transformed Rogers Place and the surrounding ICE District into a Western showcase. From heart-pounding rodeo performances to the Canadian Country Expo and concerts by The Reklaws and Gord Bamford, the event offered a full-spectrum experience. A $32 million economic impact—powered by 14,000 hotel room nights and increased restaurant and transportation use—underscored the event’s contribution to Edmonton’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
But CFR wasn’t just about numbers. A week of immersive community activations—from a downtown cattle drive to school visits, after-parties, and the Great Canadian Chili Cook-Off—created a unifying celebration of heritage and hospitality. The event’s national broadcast on The Cowboy Channel, reaching 350,000 viewers across North America, elevated Edmonton’s international profile as a rodeo and cultural capital.
CFR’s innovative approach, including ground-breaking camera work and expanded women’s events, reflected a forward-thinking evolution of a time-honoured tradition. The anniversary celebration connected generations while transforming downtown into a festival of Western spirit.
With its blend of tradition, innovation, and destination-worthy programming, the 2024 Canadian Finals Rodeo re-established Edmonton as the beating heart of Canadian rodeo and a premier host of world-class cultural events.