The Season, Explained
Dates and hosts change year to year, but the rhythm of a curling season stays constant — a long build-up of ranking events funnelling toward a championship stretch in late winter.
Autumn: the tour
The season opens on the World Curling Tour with cashspiels, then the Grand Slam of Curling series — the sport’s most prestigious tour stops.
Winter: the playdowns
- Provincial and territorial championships
- The Scotties Tournament of Hearts
- The Montana’s Brier
- The World Curling Championships
- In Olympic years, the Trials and the Winter Games
Reading a draw
Events run a round-robin or triple-knockout, then a playoff. If any term is unfamiliar, see Curling 101.