Published October 30 2026.
Photo: Calgary Reviews / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The Big Four Building is a two-level exhibition and event building on Stampede Park in Calgary, named for the four men who backed the first Calgary Stampede in 1912. Avenue Calgary dates it to 1959, when it opened as a curling facility. Its upper level is now The Big Four Roadhouse, the Calgary Stampede’s live-music venue, which ran July 2 to 12 2026 and returns for the July 9 to 18 2027 Stampede. On March 18 2026 the Stampede and CMLC shared a first look at a 20-year master plan for Stampede Park that proposes a new multi-purpose venue to replace the building. No date has been announced.
Big Four Building at a glance
| Item | What the source states |
|---|---|
| Where | Stampede Park, part of the Calgary Stampede’s venues (Calgary Stampede venues) |
| Size | 118,000 sq. ft. over two levels, 60,000 sq. ft. of it upstairs (Calgary Stampede venues) |
| Layout | Halls A, B and C, plus show offices, exhibitor lounges and concessions (Calgary Stampede venues) |
| Upper level | The Big Four Roadhouse, with a built-in stage, bars, and in-house sound and lighting (Calgary Stampede venues) |
| Opened | 1959, cost about $2 million (Avenue Calgary, 2015) |
| Named for | Pat Burns, George Lane, A.E. Cross and A.J. Maclean (Avenue Calgary; Wikipedia spells the last name McLean) |
| Listed uses today | Concerts, corporate hosting, special events and trade shows (Calgary Stampede venues) |
| Future | A new multi-purpose venue is proposed to replace it; no dates given (Calgary Stampede, March 18 2026) |
Checked October 30 2026 on the Calgary Stampede venues site. That page says the building was “recently renovated and re-imagined” and does not give a street address or a capacity.
Who were the Big Four?
The Big Four were four wealthy Alberta cattlemen and businessmen: Patrick (Pat) Burns, George Lane, A.E. Cross and Archibald J. McLean, according to Wikipedia. Alberta’s Historic Places describes them as four Southern Alberta ranchers and businessmen who financed Guy Weadick’s proposed rodeo and wild west show in 1912. Wikipedia, citing the Calgary Stampede, says each put up $25,000. That show was meant to be a one-time event but grew into the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, according to Alberta’s Historic Places.
The building carries their name because it honours them: Avenue Calgary says it is named for the four men who financially backed Weadick’s Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest, the event that became the Stampede. The sources read do not say who chose the name or when. The story of the 1912 Stampede and the grounds is on Stampede Park history, and the wider neighbourhood on Victoria Park, Calgary: a neighbourhood history.
When did the Big Four Building open?
Avenue Calgary, in an article published July 6 2015 and last updated June 18 2019, states the building opened in 1959 at a cost of about $2 million. The Calgary Stampede’s SAM Centre history does not carry a 1959 entry for it; its chapter 3 timeline says only that in 1960 the building “became home to 48 curling sheets”, making it the world’s largest indoor curling rink. The Calgary Stampede’s venues page does not give an opening year. This page uses 1959 from Avenue Calgary and flags that it is the one source read today that gives the year.
The two accounts fit together on the curling numbers. Avenue Calgary says the lower level opened with 24 sheets of ice and that the number was doubled in 1960. Wikipedia likewise states the building once held the largest curling rink in the world. The sources read do not say when curling ended in the building or what the lower level held before its renovation.
Big Four Building timeline
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| September 1912 | First Calgary Stampede, financed by the Big Four | Alberta’s Historic Places; Wikipedia |
| 1959 | Building opens with 24 curling sheets; cost about $2 million | Avenue Calgary |
| 1960 | Sheets doubled to 48, the world’s largest indoor curling rink | Avenue Calgary; Calgary Stampede SAM Centre |
| July 2025 | Roadhouse season includes Bar Nineteen Twelve upstairs and The Range Food Hall and 8-Bit Roundup downstairs | Avenue Calgary, July 9 2025 |
| March 18 2026 | Master plan proposes a new multi-purpose venue to replace the building | Calgary Stampede |
| July 2 to 12 2026 | The Big Four Roadhouse runs during the Stampede | Calgary Stampede, April 30 2026 |
| July 9 to 18 2027 | Next Stampede; 2027 Roadhouse artists not yet announced | Calgary Stampede |
What is the Big Four Roadhouse?
The Big Four Roadhouse is the Stampede’s roadhouse-style music venue, with country and rock acts, barbecue, a bar and a mechanical bull, according to the Calgary Stampede. Performers appear every night of the Stampede. The Stampede calls it one of four stages in its music festival, which it says features more than 100 acts over 10 days.
The Stampede’s April 30 2026 announcement named these 2026 acts: Colin James, Everlast, Glass Tiger, Johnny Reid, Logan Ryan Band, Mariya Stokes, Sons of Legion, Tanya Tucker, Terri Clark, The Marshall Tucker Band and William Prince, plus Danny Nix and The Heat, Jade Elephant, Jory Kinjo, Kate & the Comets, Nickola Magnolia and Quinton Blair. Performance dates and times are on the Stampede’s website. The Stampede’s Roadhouse page lists Brett Kissel among the 2026 headliners; the announcement did not, so sources differ on the full list.
Roadhouse tickets and age rules in 2026
According to the Stampede’s April 30 2026 announcement, all concerts were free with admission to Stampede Park. Extra options were:
- Roadhouse Rush Pass (standing): from $40 plus fees, including Stampede Park admission and priority no-line entry on the day.
- Reserved tables: $240 for four or $360 for six, plus fees, with table service starting at 7:45 pm Calgary time.
- Roadhouse Rush + Rodeo Bundle: from $75 plus fees, including Stampede Park admission and Rodeo admission.
The venue is all ages during the day and 18+ after 6:00 pm Calgary time, according to the same announcement. The Stampede says passes are subject to capacity and does not publish a capacity figure. The Stampede Park admission price was not in the sources read.
What else is in the building at Stampede time?
Avenue Calgary reported on July 9 2025 that the building also held a cocktail lounge called Bar Nineteen Twelve and Battle of the Bulls upstairs, and The Range Food Hall and the 8-Bit Roundup arcade downstairs. The Stampede pages read for this article do not list these for 2026. The sources read do not give the year the Roadhouse first opened.
What is planned for the Big Four Building?
The Calgary Stampede and CMLC shared a first look at their 20-year Stampede Park master plan on March 18 2026. The Stampede’s master plan page lists a “Multi-Purpose Venue” among potential future spaces, described as “a new, modernized multi-purpose venue intended to replace The Big Four Building and enable programming flexibility to service the growing music and event needs on Stampede Park.” The page gives no dates and says details, “including funding strategies and phasing,” will be communicated as the plan progresses.
News outlets described it differently. Global News (March 18 2026) wrote that the Big Four Building “will also be demolished” for the new building. LiveWire Calgary (March 18 2026) wrote that it would eventually be replaced by a venue seating 6,000 to 8,000, with no date. LiveWire called the live event zone the plan’s highest priority, on a longer timeline because the Saddledome has to come down first. The Stampede’s own pages say “replace” and do not state a demolition, a seat count or a start date. The sources read name no date for any change to the building.
The same plan covers the Saddledome site; see Scotiabank Saddledome history and What happens to the Saddledome after Scotia Place opens.
How to get to the Big Four Building
The Calgary Stampede venues page for the building gives no street address and does not name a closest CTrain station or lot. The Stampede’s Getting to Stampede Park page recommends Victoria Park/Stampede station for the BMO Centre, Cowboys Casino and the Saddledome. An adult single ride costs $4.00 in 2026, according to Calgary Transit. More on the station is in the Victoria Park/Stampede CTrain station guide.
For driving, the same Stampede page lists Stampede Park lots at a flat rate of $18 per day and the 11th Avenue lot at $12 per day, and says 2027 Stampede parking details will be available in spring 2027. Lots and transit together are on Stampede Park parking and transit. All venues on the grounds are on Venues at Victoria Park, and food before a show is on Where to eat near the Saddledome.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Big Four Building in Calgary?
A 118,000 square foot, two-level building on Stampede Park with three halls and an upper-level music venue, The Big Four Roadhouse, according to the Calgary Stampede.
When was the Big Four Building built?
Avenue Calgary gives 1959, at about $2 million. The Stampede’s SAM Centre dates its 48 curling sheets to 1960.
Why is it called the Big Four?
It is named for Pat Burns, George Lane, A.E. Cross and A.J. McLean (spelled Maclean by Avenue Calgary), who backed the first Stampede in 1912, according to Avenue Calgary.
Is the Big Four Roadhouse free?
In 2026 concerts were free with Stampede Park admission; Rush Passes started at $40 plus fees and reserved tables at $240 for four. 2027 prices are not announced.
Is the Big Four Building being torn down?
The Stampede’s master plan proposes a new multi-purpose venue “intended to replace” it, with no dates. Global News reported it “will also be demolished”. No demolition date is announced.
When is the Big Four Roadhouse in 2027?
The Stampede runs July 9 to 18 2027. The Stampede said the 2027 artists have not been announced.
Sources: Calgary Stampede venues, “The Big Four” (size, layout, uses); Calgary Stampede, “The Big Four Roadhouse” (2027 dates, 2026 acts, rules); Calgary Stampede news release, April 30 2026 (2026 dates, prices); Calgary Stampede news release, March 18 2026, and Stampede master plan page (replacement venue); Avenue Calgary, “The History of the Stampede Ground Buildings,” July 6 2015, updated June 18 2019 (1959, cost, curling), and “4 Fun Things to Check Out in The Big Four Roadhouse (Besides Concerts) During the 2025 Calgary Stampede,” July 9 2025; Calgary Stampede, “Getting to Stampede Park” (parking rates, recommended station); Calgary Transit, “Calgary Transit fares changing for 2026” (adult fare); Calgary Stampede SAM Centre, chapter 3 (1960 curling); Wikipedia, “The Big Four (Calgary)”; Alberta’s Historic Places, “The Big Four (Part 1 of 3),” July 10 2012; Global News and LiveWire Calgary, March 18 2026; Wikimedia Commons file page, Big Four Calgary.jpg (photo credit). Read October 30 2026.