What the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Is All About
I’m really excited to share everything we know about the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which is one of the biggest events in Canadian women’s curling.
This year, the championship takes place from January 23 to February 1, 2026, at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario — marking the first time the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) hosts this prestigious national event.
For those new to this sport or this event, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts is Canada’s national women’s curling championship. It brings together 18 top women’s curling teams from across the country to compete in a round‑robin tournament and playoff series. The winning team earns the honour of representing Canada at the 2026 World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary later in the spring.
Host City and Venue: Why Mississauga Matters
If you ask me, one of the most exciting things about the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is where it’s happening. For the first time in its history, Mississauga, Ontario hosts this iconic championship at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre — a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of the GTA.
I love how this choice of location brings curling to a new audience. Mississauga is a vibrant, diverse city with tons to do beyond the ice — from great restaurants to scenic waterfront parks — and hosting the Scotties here opens up big opportunities for local fans and visitors alike. It’s also a sign of how much curling continues to grow: moving beyond traditional curling hotbeds into urban centres like the GTA.
How You Can Attend: 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Tickets
One of the first things I did when this event was announced was check out the ticket options — because seeing games live is such a different experience from watching on TV. For the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, tickets are available in several formats so you can choose what fits your schedule and budget.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can expect:
- Single‑draw tickets — starting as low as $21, with championship finals tickets starting around $60.
- Weekend and weekday packages — if you’re planning to spend more time at the event, you can get bundled pricing for several draws over multiple days.
- Full‑event packages — these let you see every draw from January 23 to February 1 and range from about $420 to $480, depending on seating and perks.
- Group tickets — if you’re heading with friends, family, or a club, group discounts are available with flexible options for the full event or single draws.
Tickets are moving fast, especially for championship weekend — and I wouldn’t be surprised if popular draws sell out soon. If you want to be there in person, it’s worth acting sooner rather than later.
The Teams and Competition Format You’ll See in 2026
Now let’s talk about the heart of the event — the curling itself. The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts brings together 18 teams made up of Canada’s top women’s curling talent. Teams come from provinces and territories across the country, plus pre‑qualified teams based on rankings from the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS).
One unique storyline this year shows how organizers determined Team Canada. Normally, the defending Scotties champion returns as ‘Team Canada,’ but in 2026 Rachel Homan’s team withdrew to focus on representing Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics. As a result, Kerri Einarson’s team, who were runners‑up at the 2025 Scotties, step into the Team Canada spot for this event.
The tournament uses a round‑robin format, where teams are split into pools and play against each other. The best teams then move on to the playoffs and ultimately the championship final on February 1, 2026.
I always find round‑robin play exciting because it gives you so many chances to see different teams and strategies. If you’re new to curling, this format lets you catch a variety of curling styles over multiple days — definitely something to look forward to.
Why You Should Be Excited About This Year’s Scotties
Finally, I want to share why I think the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is such a milestone event for both fans and the sport of curling. First, by moving the championship to Mississauga — a city that has never hosted it before — curling reaches new regions and audiences, giving the sport a big boost.
Secondly, the timing of this tournament in an Olympic year gives it extra significance. Some teams have to balance Olympic aspirations with national championship goals, and that mix of motivation makes the competition even more compelling.
Whether you’ve been to a Scotties before or you’re thinking about attending your first curling championship, I can honestly say this year’s event feels special. And if you’re planning to be there in person, I hope you enjoy every moment of the action.
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