The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada’s premier women’s curling championship, will return in January with elite competition, Olympic implications, and a reshaped title race. The tournament will be held January 23 to February 1, 2026, at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, marking the first time the city hosts the Scotties.
As one of the most prestigious events on the international curling calendar, the Scotties determines not only the national champion but also Team Canada for the World Women’s Curling Championship. The stakes in 2026 are even higher due to Olympic qualification conflicts and major lineup changes among the country’s top teams.
2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Location
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Venue: Paramount Fine Foods Centre
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City: Mississauga, Ontario
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Dates: January 23 – February 1, 2026
The host venue offers modern amenities and seating capacity suitable for national broadcasts, making it a strong fit for TSN’s full-event coverage.
How to Watch the Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2026
Official Broadcast in Canada
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TV Channel: TSN
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Live Stream: TSN.ca, TSN App
TSN will provide complete live coverage, including round-robin games, playoffs, and the championship final.
Watching Internationally
For fans outside Canada, a one-time-fee streaming platform such as Curling World offers an alternative way to watch the Scotties without a cable subscription or VPN. This option is especially popular among international curling fans seeking flexible access across devices.
What Is the Scotties Tournament of Hearts?
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is Canada’s national women’s curling championship, sanctioned by Curling Canada. First held in 1961, the event brings together the top provincial, territorial, and pre-qualified teams to compete for the national title.
The 2026 champion will represent Canada at the 2026 World Women’s Curling Championship, scheduled to take place at the Markin MacPhail Centre at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta—a venue with deep Olympic and world championship history.
Major 2026 Storyline: Rachel Homan Withdraws
One of the biggest developments ahead of the 2026 Scotties is the withdrawal of defending champion Rachel Homan.
Homan, who captured the 2025 Scotties title, has officially withdrawn from the 2026 tournament after qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics, forcing her team to prioritize Olympic preparation. Under Curling Canada rules, this decision reshapes the Team Canada designation.
Team Canada for 2026
With Homan stepping aside, Team Kerri Einarson—the 2025 Scotties runner-up—assumes the role of Team Canada for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Einarson’s team is no stranger to pressure, having won multiple national titles earlier in the decade and consistently finishing near the top of the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS).
How Many Teams Compete at the 2026 Scotties?
A total of 18 teams will compete in the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Qualification Breakdown
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14 teams qualify through provincial and territorial playdowns, representing each Canadian curling member association.
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Team Canada qualifies automatically (Team Kerri Einarson).
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Ontario receives a host province berth.
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3 teams qualify via the Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS), based on results from the 2024–25 season.
CTRS Adjustment for 2026
Initially, the CTRS berths were awarded to:
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Team Kerri Einarson
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Team Kayla Skrlik
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Team Christina Black
However, once Einarson became Team Canada, her CTRS spot was reallocated to the highest-ranked non-qualified team following the completion of all provincial and territorial championships.
Confirmed Teams for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
Below is the confirmed field based on current qualification structure:
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Team Canada – Kerri Einarson
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Team Ontario (Host Province)
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Team Manitoba
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Team Alberta
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Team Saskatchewan
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Team British Columbia
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Team Nova Scotia
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Team Quebec
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Team New Brunswick
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Team Prince Edward Island
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Team Newfoundland & Labrador
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Team Northwest Territories
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Team Yukon
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Team Nunavut
Additional CTRS-qualified teams will be finalized once all provincial and territorial championships conclude.
Tournament Format
While Curling Canada will confirm final details closer to the event, the 2026 Scotties is expected to follow the 18-team format used in recent years:
Two initial pools
Round-robin play within each pool
Championship Pool featuring top teams
Page Playoff system leading to the final
This structure rewards consistency while ensuring that top teams face each other multiple times before the championship weekend.
Why the 2026 Scotties Matters
The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is more than a national championship:
It determines Canada’s world championship representative
It serves as a measuring stick for post-Olympic and Olympic-bound teams
It reshapes the competitive hierarchy following Rachel Homan’s withdrawal
- With Kerri Einarson stepping in as Team Canada, rising provincial contenders, and Olympic pressure influencing lineups, the 2026 Scotties promises one of the most unpredictable fields in recent memory.