The Curling Group has revised its travel plans for the upcoming Rock League season set to start this spring. Instead of holding events in Europe as originally intended, the organization, which also owns the Grand Slam of Curling circuit, has opted to keep the competition within North America this year. Nic Sulsky, the CEO of The Curling Group, made this announcement, stating that the decision was influenced by venue availability challenges for the European stops.
Initially, the Rock League was planned to feature events in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Sulsky emphasized the ambition to expand the sport globally but acknowledged that logistical constraints required adjustments to the initial plans. The details for the first two seasons of the Rock League, including venues, team names, dates, and rosters, are scheduled for release in mid-December.
Among the notable captains for the global franchises are Rachel Homan from Ottawa leading Canada 1, and Brad Jacobs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., heading Canada 2. The league will also include captains from Scotland, Switzerland, the U.S., and Japan, each managing teams with five men and five women curlers.
The Rock League announcement will follow the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax and coincide with the HearingLife Tour Challenge in Saskatoon. Sulsky highlighted the significant impact the Rock League is expected to have on the curling world, emphasizing the importance of team dynamics, especially in an Olympic year.
While the Grand Slam series has introduced new events like wheelchair curling and military invitational, and launched the Rock Channel streaming service under The Curling Group’s ownership, challenges such as fluctuating television ratings and attendance issues persist. The upcoming Players’ Championship in Steinbach, Man., will mark the end of the current Grand Slam season.
Despite some hurdles, recent events like the AMJ Masters and GSOC Tour Challenge have seen moderate viewership numbers, with fluctuations influenced by factors like scheduling conflicts with other sporting events. The league is optimistic about the future of curling and the fan experience as it prepares for the Rock League debut in April 2026.