Queen City Ex Attendance Plunges 27% as REAL Reports Changes

UPDATE: The Queen City Exhibition (QCX) in Regina has reported a staggering decrease in attendance, welcoming just under 74,000 fairgoers in 2025 — a sharp decline of nearly 27% from last year’s attendance of 102,000. This change stems from the Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) adopting new attendance recording practices aimed at enhancing accuracy.

According to REAL, the shift to scanned attendance offers a more reliable count, moving away from inflated promotional estimates. In 2024, REAL’s promotional figure claimed 262,720 attendees, creating a discrepancy of over 160,000 people. REAL CEO Rick Bennet emphasized the importance of this transition, stating, “Scanned attendance offers a reliable and verifiable measure of how many people actually attended the event.”

Several factors contributed to this year’s attendance decline, including the Saskatchewan Roughriders playing an away game and the timing of the Saskatchewan Day holiday. Additionally, the pause of popular community events like the Kidway Morning and the 5K Midway Run, alongside delayed ticket sales, affected turnout. Event manager Cat Betker highlighted that advancements in technology now provide a clearer insight into real-time attendance.

“Previously, estimating attendance involved multipliers due to inadequate systems,” Betker explained. “Now, with our high-tech ticket scanning system, we can accurately track how many people are on-site at any given time.”

REAL has been no stranger to controversy in recent years, facing scrutiny over its Experience Regina tourism campaign and leadership changes, including the removal of former president and CEO Tim Reid. Amid these challenges, Betker reassured stakeholders of a renewed focus on community engagement and stability. “We’ve been through a couple of very tumultuous years, and I think we’re all ready for things to settle down a little bit,” she said.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Queen City Ex is scheduled to take place from July 29 to August 2. Officials are optimistic about increasing attendance as they continue to refine their practices and address past issues.

As REAL navigates this latest chapter, the emphasis remains on transparency and community support, with both Bennet and Betker committed to restoring confidence in this beloved Regina event.

Stay tuned for updates as REAL aims to improve attendance figures and deliver a successful future Queen City Exhibition.