2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts: The Battle for the Maple Leaf in Mississauga
The road to curling glory returns this winter as the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts takes center stage. For the first time in history, the Canadian women’s national curling championship will be held in the Greater Toronto Area, hosted at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, from January 23 to February 1, 2026.
Tournament Format
The event will feature a competitive field of 18 teams, divided into two pools of nine. The format ensures high-stakes action from the start:
Round Robin: Each team will play eight games within their pool.
Playoffs: The top three teams from each pool will advance to the playoff round, scheduled to begin on the final Friday of the event.
The Prize: The winner will earn the right to represent Canada at the 2026 World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary, Alberta.
The Contenders: Favourites and Storylines
Team Homan: The Defending Powerhouse
The Ottawa-based rink, led by Rachel Homan, enters the 2025-26 cycle as the heavy favourite. Coming off a historic 2023-24 season where they boasted a 67-7 record and an undefeated run to the Scotties title, Team Homan remains the gold standard in women’s curling.
The roster remains elite:
Skip: Rachel Homan
Third: Tracy Fleury
Second: Emma Miskew
Lead: Sarah Wilkes
Alternate: Rachelle Brown
Coach: The legendary Jennifer Jones. Interestingly, Jones—a six-time Scotties champion—retired from competitive curling last season after falling to Homan in the 2024 final. She now brings her tactical brilliance to the bench to help Homan defend the throne.
Team Einarson: The Quest for Redemption
Kerri Einarson’s Manitoba-based rink is hungry to reclaim their spot at the top. Before Homan’s recent dominance, Einarson won four consecutive Scotties titles.
With a slightly adjusted lineup, including Val Sweeting, Karlee Burgess, and Krysten Karwacki, and coached by Reid Carruthers, Einarson is focused on proving they are still the queens of the ice. Notably, if Homan qualifies for the Winter Olympics (which run concurrently or nearby in the cycle), Einarson often steps in as the primary threat for the national title.
Team Brown: The BC Challengers
Representing British Columbia, Team Corryn Brown returns to the national stage after a hard-fought victory over Team Kayla MacMillan in their provincial championship. Based in Kamloops, the rink includes Erin Pincott, Sarah Koltun, Samantha Fisher, and alternate Kristen Ryan, coached by Jim Cotter. After a 4-4 finish last year, they are looking to break into the playoff bracket this time around.
Event Highlights and Schedule
Beyond the ice, fans can experience “The Patch,” the legendary curling party site featuring live music (including opening night performance by The Trews), food, and drinks.
Opening Draw: The action begins at 4:00 PM EST on Friday, January 23.
Playoff Weekend: The championship intensity peaks starting Friday, January 30, culminating in the final on Sunday, February 1.
Note: Fans can find the full tournament schedule and purchase single-draw tickets through the official Curling Canada website.
