Timmins to Host 2026 Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships
Curling Canada has announced that the 2026 Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships will return to Timmins, Ontario, after a successful event in 2023. The prestigious competition is set to take place from February 8 to 15, 2026, at the McIntyre Curling Club and McIntyre Community Centre, locally known as "the Mac."
Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, expressed his excitement about the event's return to Timmins, noting that the 2023 experience left a lasting positive impression on athletes, coaches, and officials. "Our curlers, coaches and officials couldn’t have been more positive about their experience in Timmins in 2023, so it was an easy decision when they submitted their hosting bid for 2026," said Thiessen. He emphasized the importance of the Under-18 Championships in Curling Canada's podium pathway program, providing young athletes with early exposure to national-level competition.
The 2026 championship will feature 42 teams—21 male and 21 female—from across the country. Invitations will go to the provincial and territorial Under-18 champions from Curling Canada’s 14 Member Associations, as well as to the host association, Northern Ontario, which will receive a second invitation. Additionally, the top-six ranked Member Associations from the previous two championships will also earn spots in the event.
Timmins' Mayor, Michelle Boileau, voiced her excitement about hosting the event once again. "We’re excited to welcome the Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships back to Timmins," she said. "This is a testament to the passion and professionalism shown by the McIntyre Curling Club, and will give us the opportunity to further showcase Timmins’ hospitality."
George Pirie, the Member of Provincial Parliament for Timmins, also expressed pride in the community’s ability to host the prestigious event. "This is an exciting opportunity for the talented staff at the McIntyre Curling Club and the McIntyre Community Centre to show what Timmins has to offer and attract the best curlers from across Canada to our community," Pirie said.
The Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships were first held in Moncton, New Brunswick, in 2017. In 2023, the event saw an Alberta sweep, with Team Myla Plett winning the girls' title for the second year in a row, and Team Zachary Davies claiming the boys' title.
In the history of the girls' competition, teams from Northern Ontario and Alberta have each won two gold medals, while Nova Scotia and Manitoba each have one title. The boys' event has seen a diverse range of winners, with Northern Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador each claiming the gold at least once.
Laura Forget, Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Curling Association, shared her enthusiasm for the event's return to her home region. "It’s so exciting to see these young athletes perform, and to see them start down the road that could some day lead them to representing Canada on the world stage," Forget said. "Northern Ontario is ready to put them in the spotlight in 2026."
Stephen Meunier, Chair of the 2026 Championships, expressed his dedication to delivering an exceptional event. "This event provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible talent of young curlers from across the nation while promoting the values of sportsmanship and community," Meunier said. "It’s an honour to help create an experience that inspires the next generation of curling champions."
The 2025 Canadian Under-18 Curling Championships will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, from February 16-22. As the 2026 championships approach, Timmins is ready to once again host the country's top young curlers in what promises to be an exciting and memorable event.
