Gushue’s Farewell Brier: A Nation Celebrates a Curling Legend
The 2026 Montana’s Brier, hosted in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, promises to be more than just a national curling championship. It marks the final appearance of Canadian curling icon Brad Gushue before his retirement. The event, running from February 27th to March 8th, is already generating significant buzz, with fans eager to witness history.
A Hometown Hero’s Last Stand
For Gushue, a St. John’s native, the opportunity to compete in his final Brier on home ice is particularly poignant. He previously won the Brier in St. John’s in 2017, creating a lasting memory for fans. This year’s Brier will be his 23rd appearance in the national championship.
The Contenders: Olympic Champions and Rising Stars
The field is stacked with talent, including recent Olympic gold medallist Brad Jacobs, who will represent Canada. Other notable teams include two-time finalist Matt Dunstone, four-time winner Kevin Koe, and perennial contender Mike McEwen. The tournament will similarly showcase emerging talent, with Braden Calvert and Jayden King skipping teams for the first time.
Tournament Format: Road to the Playoffs
The 18 teams are divided into two pools of nine, with each team playing an eight-game round robin. The top three teams from each pool will advance to the Page Playoffs. A tie-breaking system based on head-to-head results and the Last-Shot Draw rankings will be used to determine playoff qualification. The Page Playoffs will follow a standard format, culminating in a championship game on March 8th.
Early Schedule Highlights
The opening draw on February 27th features Newfoundland and Labrador (Young) versus Nunavut, Newfoundland and Labrador (Gushue) versus Quebec, Ontario versus Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island versus Canada. Subsequent draws throughout the week will showcase a variety of matchups, with teams battling for playoff positioning.
The Future of Canadian Curling: What’s Next?
Gushue’s retirement signals a changing of the guard in Canadian curling. While his absence will be deeply felt, the sport boasts a wealth of emerging talent ready to step up. The presence of younger skips like Calvert and King at this year’s Brier demonstrates the depth of the Canadian curling landscape.
The increasing popularity of curling, fueled by Olympic exposure and dedicated fan bases, suggests a bright future for the sport. Continued investment in grassroots development programs and innovative broadcasting strategies will be crucial for maintaining momentum.
Did you grasp?
The winner of the 2026 Montana’s Brier will represent Canada at the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah, from March 27th to April 4th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the 2026 Brier being held?
A: The 2026 Brier is being held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, at the Mary Brown’s Centre.
Q: When does the 2026 Brier start and end?
A: The 2026 Brier runs from February 27th to March 8th.
Q: Who is Brad Gushue?
A: Brad Gushue is a Canadian curling legend and a St. John’s native who is retiring after the 2026 Brier.
Q: How many teams are competing in the 2026 Brier?
A: 18 teams are competing in the 2026 Brier.
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