Stampede Corral
The Stampede Corral (also known as the Calgary Corral) is an ice hockey and rodeo arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The arena was completed in 1950 at a cost of C$1.25 million to replace Victoria Arena as the home of the Calgary Stampeders Hockey Club. Seating 6,475, plus standing room, it is used in the annual Calgary Stampede. The Corral was built and is still owned by the Calgary Stampede non-profit organization, which leases the underlying land at $1/year from the city of Calgary.
At the time of construction, it was the largest arena west of Toronto. It was officially opened on December 15, 1950. The first hockey game was held at the Corral on December 26, as the Stampeders defeated the Edmonton Flyers 5–0 in a Western Canada Senior Hockey League game before a standing-room-only crowd of 8,729.
The Corral has hosted several major events, including the 1972 World Figure Skating Championships, and Figure Skating and Ice Hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Corral is also a frequent host for Canada's Davis Cup tennis team. Canada is 5–0 all time in the Corral, including a thrilling upset of Brazil, and former #1 player Gustavo Kuerten in 2003. Most recently, Canada defeated Mexico 4–1 in the 2008 tournament.
For years, the Corral played host to special wrestling supershows promoted by Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, particularly during the Calgary Stampede. Stampede Wrestling is known for having featured some of the biggest names in pro wrestling history prior to its purchase by World Wrestling Federation in 1984. Some of said stars included Bret Hart, Archie Gouldie, Dan Kroffat and Jake Roberts.
The Corral houses one of the most extensive private sports photo collections in Canada being on public display, however, many of the photos (of Western Canadian hockey and rodeo stars primarily, dating back many decades) are in a state of considerable disrepair.
The Corral is still used year round; notable events include the Rodeo Royal, held every April, and the Superdogs which appear daily during the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.
| Team | League | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Stampeders | Various | 1950–72 | |
| Calgary Centennials | WCHL | 1966–77 | |
| Calgary Cowboys | WHA | 1975–77 | |
| Calgary Wranglers | WHL | 1977–87 | |
| Calgary Flames | NHL | 1980–83 | |
| Calgary Hitmen | WHL | 1995–96 | Temporary home |
| Calgary Drillers | ABA | 2004–05 | Folded after five home games |
| Calgary United F.C. | CMISL | 2007 |
| Preceded by Omni Coliseum |
Home of the Calgary Flames 1980 – 1983 |
Succeeded by Pengrowth Saddledome |
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