Hi! Thanks for your question. If you prefer to get a seated ticket rather than a standing ticket without booking in advance, I’d recommend going to the ticket office near GMC Stadium close to its opening time on the day that you want to do the rodeo so around 11am. At the rodeo, if you get a standing ticket and watch from the ground floor standing area it’s pretty easy to meet other people. I’ve only met a handful of solo travelers though so I’d say it’s easier to meet travellers who are in groups rather than alone.

Great question! I’ve always been really impressed by the transit system in Calgary. At night, its been the safest and most reliable transit I’ve ever taken. Both during the Stampede, and before or after it, I’ve never had any issues getting home at night. There has been the odd time when I’ve chosen to take an Uber instead of the C-Train at closing time, but mostly I walk and use the C-Trains to get around at all hours. I have always felt safe. In all the late night travel I’ve done, I’ve only had one scary incident – and even then I was rescued and kept safe by a group of young men (there was also Officers nearby if needed). I can’t speak to the buses at night though because I always stay near C-Train stations.