Mississauga to host 2026 Canadian women’s curling championship.
Mississauga is set to host the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, marking the first time the Canadian women’s curling championship will be held in the Greater Toronto Area. The event is scheduled to take place from January 23 to February 1, 2026, at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex, a 5,000-seat venue located near Pearson International Airport and approximately 20 kilometers from downtown Toronto.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is one of Canada’s premier curling events, featuring 18 teams representing provinces and territories across the country. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, with the top teams advancing to the playoffs. The winner will be crowned the national champion and will represent Canada at the world women’s championship the following month. Additionally, the victorious team will return to the next year’s Scotties as Team Canada.
The Paramount Fine Foods Centre Sportsplex has a history of hosting major curling competitions. Previously known as the Hershey Centre, the venue hosted the Ontario men’s and women’s curling championships in 2003 and a Grand Slam of Curling event in 2009.
The 2026 tournament is scheduled earlier than usual to accommodate the Milan Olympics in February 2026. As a result, the Canadian women’s curling team representing the country at the Olympics will not be eligible to compete in the 2026 Scotties. The 2025 Scotties, set to begin on February 14 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, will determine the winner who will skip the Canadian team at the 2026 playdowns.
The announcement of Mississauga as the host city was made by Curling Canada on January 28, 2025. Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen expressed excitement about bringing the event to Mississauga, stating, “The Canadian women’s curling championship has always been a staple of the Canadian sporting calendar, and we can’t wait to see the energy and enthusiasm that Mississauga and the GTA will bring to the occasion.”
Curling Ontario Executive Director Matt Allen also welcomed the news, highlighting the significance of the event for the local curling community. He noted that the tournament’s timing, ahead of the Olympic year, adds to the excitement surrounding the event.
The Toronto Curling Association (TCA), representing 22 curling facilities across the Greater Toronto Area, is committed to fostering an inclusive curling community. TCA President and host committee co-chair Sean Holman emphasized that hosting the Scotties in Mississauga provides an opportunity to showcase the sport at the highest level and engage new fans in the region.
Fans interested in attending the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts can look forward to an exciting and historic event in Mississauga. With its rich curling heritage and enthusiastic community support, the tournament is poised to be a memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
