BMO Centre Expansion - Western Canada’s Largest Convention Facility

The expansion of the BMO Centre promises to make gatherings even greater. At over 1 million square feet, the BMO Centre is the largest convention centre in Western Canada. An anchor to the new and vibrant Culture + Entertainment District, guests are welcomed with our western hospitality and Stampede spirit, in one of the most energetic convention areas in North America.

9,000metric tonnes of steel
565,000sq. ft. of expansion

$223million in economic benefit for Alberta
$267million in economic benefit for Canada

Live Project Update

For over 100 years, the Calgary Stampede has welcomed millions of guests from around the world, extending our western hospitality during our world-renowned events. Since 1982, the BMO Centre at Stampede Park has been at the heart of many of those gatherings, bringing guests together for consumer and trade shows, special events, meetings and conventions.

The BMO Centre expansion will lend unstoppable momentum to the transformation now underway in Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District. During construction and afterward, it will:

Support the creation of thousands of jobs
Catalyze private investment and new development
Boost the economies of the district, city, province and country

Design Approach

BMO CENTRE EXPANSION DESIGN FEATURES

Largest convention facility in Western Canada
Over one million total square feet
102,500 sq. ft. of new exhibit hall space
68,000 sq. ft. of new meeting room space
50,000 sq. ft. of new ballroom space
A new 118,500 sq. ft. back-of-house service area

Central Hub & Atrium
Pre-function area
Outdoor Plaza & Pavilion
Public Art Sites
Market Café
Motor Coach parking

View the Venue Brochure

BMO Centre Expansion Grand Opening

Today, Calgary’s BMO Centre at Stampede Park is ready to welcome the world, officially becoming Western Canada’s largest convention centre with the grand opening of its 565,000 sq. ft. expansion. Following decades of planning and four years of construction, the over 1M sq. ft. Tier 1 convention facility opens its doors for the first time, not only creating an architectural landmark for Calgary, but making gatherings even greater with our western hospitality and community spirit.

Read The Full News Release

Substantial Completion

The BMO Centre expansion project has been years in the making for the Calgary Stampede, from first questioning ‘Should we expand?’ to considering ‘What would an expansion look like?’ to then involving our development partners in making it happen. Our team will now work to operationalize the building in preparation for welcoming the world to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in June 2024. We can’t wait to welcome you to this iconic space on Stampede Park.

Neon Cowboy

Once a beacon for concerts, hockey games, Olympic events, rodeos and more, the Stampede Corral’s Neon Cowboy witnessed decades of events and celebrations. It is now reimagined at a nearly 1:1 scale as a marquee installation in the BMO Centre.

"The Neon Cowboy was truly a visual symbol of Stampede Park’s history and Calgarian’s Nostalgia. The re-envisioned Neon Cowboy will continue to exude our community spirit as we welcome the world to Stampede Park and the expanded BMO Centre".

This feature installation is displayed on the main floor of the BMO Centre expansion in an area where many visitors will be able to enjoy it.

Brand Room Doors

A prominent new space in the BMO Centre, the Brand Room is named after the brands of the Stampede’s “Big Four" founders. The 3,000 sq. ft. space features natural light and elevated finishes, including charred wood, leather and copper accents. The space is complimented by an 11,000 sq. ft. covered outdoor balcony that offers sweeping views of Stampede Park year-round.

"To welcome guests into the space, we've partnered with Alberta Boot to do a custom stitch design on the Brand Room doors. The design pays homage to the Calgary Stampede’s past while adding contemporary elements, elegance and intrigue".

The Brand Room doors by the Alberta Boot Company feature their iconic "Calgary" stitch pattern, further highlighting the Stampede's Western heritage.

Pavilion Lights

The Pavilion Lights on the BMO Centre feature 1,500 unique lighting soffits that grace the 170-ft. curved canopy, seamlessly reaching out of the expansion and onto the outdoor plaza on the south side of the building.

Showcasing the energy and movement of Stampede, the Pavilion Lights reflect the rides, lights, fireworks and excitement of our annual celebration, creating the ultimate sense of arrival as guests approach the BMO Centre.

Spirit of Water

Spirit of Water on Stampede Park – This incredible work by renowned artist, Gerry Judah, is part of our 14-piece outdoor public art collection and adds to our storied history and celebration of community.

It stands at an impressive 70 ft. tall by 45 ft. wide and weighs 112,000 pounds. Spirit of Water embodies the power and vitality of water and acts as a destination for visitors in our community and around the world to the BMO Centre’s 40,000 sq. ft. plaza.