Canada’s Curling Contingent Finalized for Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games
OTTAWA, January 25, 2026 – Canada’s curling teams for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games have been decided, with the nation set to compete in all three disciplines. Team Rachel Homan and Team Brad Jacobs emerged victorious from the high-pressure 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax, earning the right to represent the Maple Leaf in the women’s and men’s four-player tournaments. They will be joined by the mixed doubles duo of Jocelyn Peterman and Brett Gallant, who secured their spot earlier in the season.
Road to Cortina: Qualification Secured
Canada’s participation in the Milano Cortina Games was never in doubt, as the nation qualified outright for all three curling events based on points earned at the 2024 and 2025 World Championships. The qualification system awarded points to the top finishers at each world championship, with the top eight nations (seven if host Italy finished outside the top eight) earning automatic berths. Canada’s consistent podium performances – including back-to-back women’s world titles in 2024 and 2025 – solidified its place among the elite.
Canadian Olympic Curling Trials: The Final Hurdle
The internal battle for the right to wear the Canadian colours was settled at the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre from November 22-30, 2025. In a best-of-three final format, the winners booked their tickets to Italy.
Women’s Champion: Team Homan
Skip Rachel Homan, third Tracy Fleury, second Emma Miskew, and lead Sarah Wilkes (with alternate Rachelle Brown) continued their dominant run, defeating Nova Scotia’s Christina Black two games to none in the final (5-4, 12-3). The victory marks Homan’s second Olympic Trials win, having previously qualified for PyeongChang 2018.
Men’s Champion: Team Jacobs
Skip Brad Jacobs, third Marc Kennedy, second Brett Gallant, and lead Ben Hebert (with alternate Tyler Tardi) secured their Olympic return, defeating Manitoba’s Matt Dunstone two games to none (9-8, 6-5). Jacobs, who won gold at Sochi 2014, will lead a new-look squad back to the Olympic stage.
Key Facts & Team Canada Rosters
| Discipline | Team Canada Athletes | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Fours | Rachel Homan (Skip), Tracy Fleury, Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, Rachelle Brown (Alt) | Won 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials |
| Men’s Fours | Brad Jacobs (Skip), Marc Kennedy, Brett Gallant, Ben Hebert, Tyler Tardi (Alt) | Won 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials |
| Mixed Doubles | Jocelyn Peterman, Brett Gallant | Won 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials & secured quota via 6th at 2025 Worlds |
Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Schedule & Format
The curling competition will be held at the Cortina Olympic Stadium in Cortina D’Ampezzo from February 4-22, 2026. The mixed doubles tournament kicks off the action on February 4, with medal games on February 10. The men’s tournament runs February 11-21, and the women’s tournament is scheduled for February 12-22. Each event features 10 teams playing a round-robin, with the top four advancing to the semifinals.
Canada’s Olympic Curling Legacy
Canada is the most successful nation in Olympic curling history, having won 12 total medals and six gold medals since the sport’s official return at Nagano 1998. The nation has reached the podium in every Games since then. Notable highlights include Sandra Schmirler’s women’s gold in 1998, Brad Gushue’s surprise men’s gold in 2006, and the double gold at Sochi 2014 won by Jennifer Jones (women’s) and Brad Jacobs (men’s). Kaitlyn Lawes and John Morris won the inaugural mixed doubles gold at PyeongChang 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics start?
The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for February 6, 2026, but curling competition begins two days earlier on February 4 with the mixed doubles round robin.
Which other countries have qualified for curling?
As of January 2026, nations qualified for all three events include Canada, Italy (host), Great Britain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Other qualified nations include Estonia, Norway, and the United States in mixed doubles; Czechia, Germany, and Norway in men’s; and China, Denmark, and South Korea in women’s. The final two spots in each event were decided at the Olympic Qualification Event in December 2025.
Has any Canadian curler qualified for two events?
Yes. Brett Gallant will become the first Canadian curler to compete in both mixed doubles and four-player curling at the same Olympic Games. Marc Kennedy will be the first Canadian curler to compete in four Olympic Games.