The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Explore Edmonton are excited to announce that the Canadian Finals Rodeo has won the Sports and Culture Destination Event of the Year (Budget over 1 million dollars) at the Edmonton Tourism Awards!
Destination Event of the Year Award
Honours an event that brings Edmonton to life – welcoming visitors, inspiring community pride, and leaving a lasting impression. This award celebrates events that showcase our city’s unique culture, energy, and hospitality while driving tourism to the region.
Canadian Finals Rodeo
The 2025 Canadian Finals Rodeo turned Edmonton into a massive Western hub, pumping $32.4 million into the local economy. It wasn’t just about the dirt and the $1.6 million purse. This year made history by featuring Ladies Breakaway Roping in every performance, a huge win for gender equality in the sport. Over four days, 43,000 fans filled Rogers Place to watch elite athletes from five different countries.
The event took over the whole city. The Backroad Series brought live music to 13 different venues, while the Canadian Country Expo hosted 85 vendors and nearly 1,200 international spectators. With 18,000 hotel room nights booked and a national broadcast reaching 50 million homes, the CFR proved Edmonton is the true Western capital. It successfully bridged the gap between a 50-year-old tradition and a modern, high-energy urban festival.
Learn more: https://www.cfr.ca/
The Edmonton Tourism Awards recognize exceptional contributions to the city’s tourism scene. Hosted by Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels (EDMH) and their brand Edmonton’s Best Hotels (EBH), these awards celebrate individuals and organizations that have played a pivotal role in promoting Edmonton as a premier travel destination.
Presentation photo: Denny Phipps, CEO, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Amanda Frigon, Director, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Community Initiatives & Agriculture, Explore Edmonton accept the award.