2026 Curling Brier Update
The 2026 curling brier is scheduled to take place in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from February 27 to March 8. This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the final appearance of local favorite Brad Gushue, who will enjoy home-ice advantage.
In pool play, Newfoundland and Labrador, led by Gushue, finished with an impressive 8-0 record, while Canada, skipped by Brad Jacobs, secured a 7-1 record. Alberta, under Kevin Koe, also performed strongly with a 7-0 finish.
Gushue’s team clinched the top spot in Pool A after a decisive victory over Jacobs, scoring four points to Jacobs’ two in their final match. “It felt the intensity of a playoff game, at least from our standpoint,” Gushue remarked, highlighting the competitive atmosphere.
The Page Playoffs will see the top three teams from each pool competing for a chance to represent Canada at the men’s world curling championship. The winners of these playoff games will be critical in determining Canada’s representatives on the world stage.
In other notable matches, Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone triumphed over Northern Ontario with a final score of 9-5, while Braden Calvert’s Manitoba team defeated Saskatchewan’s Mike McEwen 5-4. The crowd at Mary Brown’s Centre was significant, with 6,100 fans in attendance, underscoring the event’s popularity.
As Gushue prepares for his final Brier, he expressed a mix of emotions, stating, “What surprised me a little bit is how good I felt.” His journey has been marked by numerous achievements, and fans are eager to see how he concludes his storied career.
Jayden King, another competitor, noted, “We like kind of having our backs against the wall and being the Cinderella story of the event,” indicating the competitive spirit that defines this championship.
With the competition heating up, observers are keen to see how the playoffs unfold and which teams will emerge victorious. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final matchups, but the excitement surrounding the curling brier continues to build.
