Curling draws out for Canadian Olympic trials, pre-trials
Canada's top curling teams are aiming for the Olympic podium in 2026.
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But it's a stop in headed to Nova Scotia for the biggest battles of the country's top teams that is the first stop on the road to the Winter Olympic Games in Italy.
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And the schedules are now out for those epic spiels.
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Curling Canada made the announcement Wednesday for the 2025 Home Hardware Canadian Curling Pre-Trials, Oct. 20–26 at the Andrew H. McCain Arena in Wolfville, N.S., and the 2025 Montana's Canadian Curling Trials, Nov. 22–30 at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
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Of course, it's the later trials taking the most shine, with names such as Gushue, Jacobs, Homan and Einarson in the spotlight.
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The Montana's Trials schedule is packed with compelling storylines, including rematches of recent Canadian men's and women's championship gold-medal games, hometown favourites chasing glory, and a first-of-its-kind format in Canadian curling: a best-of-three final to decide who will be nominated to represent Canada in four-player curling at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina.
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Halifax's own Team Christina Black kicks off its Montana's Trials campaign against four-time Canadian champion Team Kerri Einarson of Gimli, Man., while Team Rachel Homan — two-time reigning Canadian and world champions — opens with a marquee clash against Winnipeg's Team Kate Cameron.
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On the men's side, curling fans will have their eyes on Team Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador as it faces Team Rylan Kleiter of Saskatoon. Meanwhile, defending Montana's Brier champions Team Brad Jacobs take to the ice against Calgary rivals Team Kevin Koe.
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Each gender's eight-team field will play a seven-game round robin, with only three teams advancing to the playoffs. Second- and third-place meet in a semifinal, with the winner advancing to a best-of-three final series set for Nov. 28–30.
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The final Montana's trials spots will be on the line at the 2025 Home Hardware Canadian Curling Pre-Trials in Wolfville, where eight men's and eight women's teams will battle for the last tickets to Halifax.
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The format mirrors the trials, with seven round-robin games per team, followed by a semifinal and a best-of-three final (Oct. 24–26).
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Team Reid Carruthers has withdrawn due to coaching commitments with Team Einarson, opening a spot for Team Jayden King of London, Ont. — the top-ranked men's team on the Canadian Team Ranking System yet to qualify.
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