New Poll examines attitudes to an Olympic bid among Calgarians and Albertans

Should Calgary Bid on the 2026 Winter Olympics?

Just over six in ten Albertans (62%) believe Calgary should bid on the 2026 Winter Olympics. Interestingly, Calgarians (55%) are less likely to think their city should bid on the Olympics than Edmontonians (68%) or those living in the rest of Alberta (62%). Support for an Olympic bid is particularly high among young people (75% of those age 18 to 24 vs 49% of those age 65 and over), who are not old enough to remember the 1988 Olympics.

Interest in Holding Events in Other Cities

When asked about the idea of having events hosted in Calgary and the surrounding area only or having events in a number of cities in Western Canada, half of Albertans (50%) say they like the idea having events in only the Calgary area. Another 43 percent like the idea of multiple locations in Western Canada, and seven percent are unsure. A majority of Edmontonians (57%) like the idea of a multi-city Olympics, which would include events in their city. However, most residents of Calgary (58%) and the rest of Alberta (55%) like the idea of a Calgary-only Olympics. Looking specifically at the 62 percent of Albertans who want Calgary to bid on the 2026 Winter Olympics, 55 percent of them would like to see the Olympics in only the Calgary area, compared to 42 percent who want a multi-city Olympics and seven percent who are undecided. It would appear that a multi-city approach may increase support for an Olympic bid among Edmontonians, but this approach could decrease support among Calgarians and those in the rest of Alberta.