Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Auction Secures Historic $6 Million Night
The Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction experienced a monumental occasion on April 11, 2026. Held at the Big Four Roadhouse in Calgary, Alberta, this year marked the 46th annual event, which set multiple records and indicated a vibrant future for the Alberta economy.
Record-Breaking Auction Highlights
The auction garnered an impressive total of $6,075,000, surpassing the previous year’s total of $3,840,000 by $2,235,000. This total also eclipsed the former record of $4,015,000 that was set during the 2012 Calgary Stampede Centennial.
Key Statistics
- Total Amount Bid: $6,075,000
- Average Bid: $225,000
- Median Bid: $225,000
- Historic High Bid: $550,000
- Previous Record (2025): $3,840,000
- Difference Over 2025 Total: $2,235,000
This year’s average and median bids also hit records, both at $225,000, well above the previous figures of $142,222.22 (average) and $140,000 (median) in 2025.
Noteworthy Bids and Participants
Rae Croteau Jr. emerged as the standout participant, with Bar L-5 Ranch bidding $550,000 for his canvas, a new high for the event. This surpassed the former record of $300,000 established in 2012.
Similarly, the 2023 Rangeland Derby Champion, Layne MacGillivray, secured his canvas for $475,000, also surpassing earlier benchmarks.
Additional Bids
| Driver | Sponsor | Amount Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Rae Croteau Jr. | Bar L-5 Ranch | $550,000 |
| Layne MacGillivray | Shaw GMC Chevrolet Buick | $475,000 |
| Troy Dorchester | AECON | $275,000 |
| Evan Salmond | De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. | $275,000 |
| Chad Fike | TOMCO Group of Companies | $275,000 |
The auction also saw both Jordie Fike and Danny Ringuette achieving record-high low bids of $100,000, surpassing the previous record of $80,000 set in 2024. Notably, for the first time in history, all 27 participating drivers secured bids of $100,000 or more.
What Lies Ahead
Looking forward, there are two more upcoming Chuckwagon Canvas Auctions scheduled. The next auction will occur on May 1, 2026, for the Ponoka Stampede at the Stagecoach Saloon in Ponoka, Alberta.
For live updates, fans are encouraged to visit watch.wpca.com for the Grande Prairie Sale and wpca.com for further details.
