Canadian Mixed Doubles: The Road to the 2026 Winter Olympics
Sixteen Canadian mixed doubles curling teams are one step closer to realizing their Olympic dreams as the field for the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials has officially been finalized. The highly anticipated event, which will determine which team will represent Canada at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Italy, is set to take place from December 30, 2024, to January 4, 2025, at the Queens Place Emera Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.
For curling fans, especially those in Nova Scotia, this is a rare opportunity to witness history in the making. Tickets for the event are still available, providing the perfect last-minute holiday gift for any curling enthusiast—or a great way to treat yourself. Be sure to visit the ticket page for full details and to secure your seats today.
The Olympic Journey Begins
The Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials are the first step toward securing Canada's spot in mixed doubles curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics. While Canada has not yet confirmed its Olympic berth, the winning team from these trials will earn the right to represent the country at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Fredericton, New Brunswick, from April 26 to May 3. The performance at this event, combined with results from the 2024 World Mixed Doubles Championship, will ultimately determine whether Canada secures one of the eight coveted spots in mixed doubles curling at the Olympic Games.
The 16 Teams
The final field of 16 teams was determined after the conclusion of the last direct-entry qualifying event, held in Banff and Canmore, Alberta, over the weekend. The top eight teams in the Canadian Mixed Doubles Rankings (CMDR) as of December 9, who had not yet qualified, earned their spots in the Trials. These teams will join the eight other teams who had previously secured berths through the 2024 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship, the 2023-24 CMDR standings, or one of the three direct-entry qualifying events.
Here are the 16 teams vying for a chance to represent Canada on the Olympic stage:
- Kadriana Lott/Colton Lott (Gimli, Man.) – 2024 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship gold medalists
- Laura Walker/Kirk Muyres (Edmonton/Humboldt, Sask.) – 2024 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship silver medalists
- Jocelyn Peterman/Brett Gallant (Chestermere, Alta.) – 2024 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship bronze medalists
- Nancy Martin/Steve Laycock (Wakaw, Sask./Saskatoon) – 2023-24 CMDR
- Jennifer Jones/Brent Laing (Barrie, Ont.) – 2023-24 CMDR
- Brittany Tran/Rylan Kleiter (Calgary/Saskatoon) – Canadian Mixed Doubles Qualifier (Maple Ridge)
- Rachel Homan/Brendan Bottcher (Beaumont, Alta./Spruce Grove, Alta.) – Canadian Mixed Doubles Qualifier (Guelph)
- Jennifer Armstrong/Tyrel Griffith (Rothesay, N.B./Kelowna, B.C.) – Canadian Mixed Doubles Qualifier (Banff)
- Riley Sandham/Brendan Craig (Guelph, Ont.) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Lisa Weagle/John Epping (Ottawa/Toronto) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Taylor Reese-Hansen/Corey Chester (Kitimat, B.C./Victoria) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Anne-Sophie Gionest/Robert Desjardins (Alma, Que./Saguenay, Que.) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Melissa Adams/Alex Robichaud (Fredericton, N.B.) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Jessica Zheng/Victor Pietrangelo (Niagara Falls, Ont.) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Paige Papley/Evan Van Amsterdam (Edmonton) – 2025 Trials CMDR
- Jaelyn Cotter/Jim Cotter (Vernon, B.C.) – 2025 Trials CMDR
The Format: Round Robin and Playoffs
The competition will begin on December 30, 2024, with the 16 teams divided into two pools of eight. Each team will play a round-robin format from December 30 to January 2, with the top three teams from each pool advancing to the playoff stage. The playoff format will follow a structure similar to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Tim Hortons Brier.
Once the round robin is complete, the top two teams from each pool will cross over to compete for a direct spot in the Page 1v2 game. The remaining teams will play in the Page 3v4 game, with the winners advancing to the next stage.
- Page 1v2 Game: The winner of this game will advance directly to the final.
- Page 3v4 Game: The winner of this game will face the loser of the Page 1v2 game in the semifinal.
- Semifinal: The winner of the semifinal will move on to the gold-medal match on January 4, where the Trials champion will be crowned.
The winner of the Trials will earn the coveted opportunity to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a goal that many of these athletes have been working towards for years.
A Historic Event for Nova Scotia
For curling fans in Nova Scotia, this event is a rare chance to see some of the country’s top mixed doubles teams compete on home turf. The province has a rich curling tradition, and the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Trials promises to deliver thrilling action as teams vie for the chance to represent Canada on the Olympic stage.
As the countdown to the Trials continues, excitement is building across the country. Whether you're a seasoned curling fan or new to the sport, the 2025 Canadian Mixed Doubles Curling Trials in Liverpool will be an event you won't want to miss.
Get your tickets today and be part of this historic event!
