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(Image Credit: Calgary Stampede Chuckwagons & Relay Facebook page)
By Erika Rolling
Chuckwagons

Rangeland Derby Canvas Auction brings in historic $6 million

Apr 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM

Chuckwagon racing season is gearing up to start, and with that brings canvas auctions for stops on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association’s circuit.

The 2026 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Canvas Auction was held on Thursday evening.

The WPCA says this auction shattered all previous records, reeling in a staggering $6,075,000 for 27 chuckwagon drivers to compete at the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ this summer.

2026’s total well surpassed the 2025 mark of $3,840,000, as well as the previous record of $4,015,000, set during the Stampede’s Centennial celebration in 2012.

The highest bid came from Bar L-5 Ranch paid $550,000 to advertise on the canvas of Rae Croteau Jr., breaking the 2011 record of $300,000.

Other records to break included the average and median bids, coming in both at $225,000, beating the previous record set in 2025 of $142,222,22 (average) and $140,000 (median) by a large margin.

For the first time ever, all drivers canvas’ in the Rangeland Derby sold for over $100,000. The highest low bid in the history of the auction was $100,000 for two wagons; Jordie Fike and Danny Ringuette’s. The previous low record was $80,000 back in 2024.

Three chuckwagon drivers in the auction have Peace Region connections. Dayton Sutherland’s canvas went for $250,000 by Truman Homes, Chanse Vigen has been sponsored by Lethbridge Lodging Association for a cool $225,000, and Mitch Sutherland got $180,000 for his tarp thanks to Navacord Insurance.

The next WPCA canvas auction is for the first stop of the racing season; the Grande Prairie Stompede. This will be held at Evergreen Park’s Tara Centre on Saturday, April 11. Tickets for the event can be bought by clicking here.

To watch a livestream of the auction, click here.

The 2026 edition of the Grande Prairie Stompede is slated for May 27 -31.

by Erika Rolling