Regina to host 2026 U SPORTS and CCAA Curling Championships
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Regina will welcome Canada's top university and college curling teams in 2026, it was announced today by Curling Canada. The 2026 U SPORTS Curling Championships and 2026 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Curling Championships will run from Feb. 17–21 at the Callie Curling Club in Saskatchewan's capital. "We're excited to see the U SPORTS and CCAA Championships hosted in Saskatchewan, a province that never fails to deliver when it comes to national curling events," said Curling Canada CEO Nolan Thiessen. "These U SPORTS and CCAA events are about more than just competition — they are about creating meaningful experiences to keep these student-athletes in our sport at a time where they are working hard to balance their athletic and academic development." The 2026 event will be the second time the University of Regina and the Callie Curling Club have hosted the U SPORTS Curling Championships. In 2014, Team Matt Dunstone of the Manitoba Bisons and Team Jamie Sinclair of Ottawa’s Carleton Ravens won the men's and women's titles at the Callie. Both teams went on to represent Canada at the 2015 FISU World University Games in Granada, Spain. The 2026 U SPORTS men's and women's winners will receive similar honours, earning the right to represent Canada at the 2027 FISU Winter World University Games (dates and location to be announced). "The U SPORTS Curling Championships are a vital platform for developing Canada’s next generation of elite curlers,” said Matthew Davies, Chief Sport Officer of U SPORTS. “We’re thrilled that the event is returning to Regina, where passion for curling and university sport runs deep, and student-athletes are supported at every turn on their journey to national and international success." The Regina Cougars will compete for the national title as the host institution. The school's men's program has won two championships — first in 2009 with Team Chris Busby and most recently in 2024 with Team Josh Bryden, which went on to place fourth at the 2025 FISU World University Games. The women's program has also celebrated success, capturing the national title in 2010 with Team Brooklyn Lemon. "We are thrilled and honoured to be hosting the 2026 U SPORTS & CCAA Curling Championships. It's a great opportunity to bring together the nation's top student-athletes and we're excited to work with our community, volunteers, and partners to deliver an exceptional championship experience," said Lisa Robertson, University of Regina Director of Sport, Community Engagement and Athlete Development. "Our province has a deep love for curling and we can't wait to showcase our hospitality at the Callie next February!" Laurier Golden Hawks (Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.) enters the season as the defending university champions following a clean sweep at the 2025 national championships. Teams skipped by Kibo Mulima and Emma Artichuk earned gold in their respective events hosted in Lethbridge, Alta. The CCAA Curling Championships returns to Saskatchewan for the first time in 41 years, when Saskatoon hosted the event in 1985. The championships were held annually from 1984 through 1990 and were reintroduced in 2012. "The CCAA's collaboration with Curling Canada has fostered increased interest and participation in the sport across the country," said Brandon Stone, Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Chief Executive Officer. "It has been a valuable partnership for the membership and the CCAA is excited to return to Saskatchewan and join USPORTS in Regina for the 2026 Championship." At last season’s CCAA Championships, Team Jacob Jones of Mohawk College (Hamilton, Ont.) won the men's title, while Team Emily Bowles of PACWEST (British Columbia) claimed the women's gold. The Callie Curling Club most recently hosted a national championship in 2016, when Saskatchewan's Team Darwin Bender won the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. The club also hosted the 1995 Canadian Junior Curling Championships, where Team Chris Galbraith and Team Kelly Scott, both from Manitoba, swept the men's and women's fields. The City of Regina boasts a rich curling history beyond the Callie. Most recently, it hosted the 2024 Montana's Brier, won by Team Brad Gushue. The city has also hosted the World Men's Curling Championship in 1973, 1983 and 2011; the Canadian Women's Curling Championship in 1962, 1982, 1998 and 2008; and the Canadian Junior Men's Championship in 1964. "We're proud and excited to welcome athletes, fans, and families from across the country to Regina. The Callie Curling Club and University of Regina are ready to deliver an exceptional championship, and I know our province's curling community will make it a warm and unforgettable experience. These events are a chance to celebrate the future of our sport, and Saskatchewan is ready to rise to the occasion," said Steve Turner, Executive Director of CURLSASK. It is the seventh time the U SPORTS and CCAA championships have been held simultaneously in partnership with Curling Canada. -30- For more information, please contact: Kyle Jahns John Bower Nancy Paquette
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