The 2026 Crown Royal Players’ Championship is set to begin on Tuesday at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach, Manitoba. This event marks the fifth and final Grand Slam of Curling for the season. Fans interested in attending can purchase tickets online, while those unable to be there in person can catch all the action through various broadcasting options.
Viewing Details
Fans can watch every match online at watch.rockchannel.com. In Canada, Sportsnet will provide coverage starting Thursday with Draw 9 set for 1 p.m. ET (Noon CT).
Tuesday’s Exciting Matchups
The day promises thrilling competition, highlighted by the marquee matchup in Draw 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Winnipeg’s Team Dunstone will face off against Saskatoon’s Team McEwen. Skip Mike McEwen, a local favorite, will look to make his mark after previously winning his seventh Grand Slam title in Winnipeg in March 2018.
This tournament is significant as it marks the first Grand Slam event hosted in Manitoba since McEwen’s celebrated victory. The stakes are high, and both teams are eager to perform well in front of home crowds.
Team Dynamics
- Mike McEwen from Team McEwen is returning with former teammate B.J. Neufeld, who joins them this week.
- Kevin Marsh is absent due to family commitments, as his wife is expecting a baby.
- Team Dunstone, led by skip Matt Dunstone, is determined to redeem themselves after an unremarkable performance at the HearingLife Canadian Open last month.
- E.J. Harnden from Team Dunstone has announced he will step back from competitive curling after this season.
Today’s Draw Schedule
The action kicks off with Draw 1 and concludes with a thrilling face-off in Draw 3:
| Draw | Time (ET / CT) | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Waddell vs. Retornaz |
| 1 | 12:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Xu vs. Casper |
| 1 | 12:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Kitazawa vs. Yoshimura |
| 1 | 12:30 p.m. / 11:30 a.m. | Hasselborg vs. Fujisawa |
| 2 | 4:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Whyte vs. Jacobs |
| 2 | 4:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Y. Schwaller vs. Edin |
| 2 | 4:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Gim vs. Einarson |
| 2 | 4:00 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. | Peterson vs. X. Schwaller |
| 3 | 7:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. | Dunstone vs. McEwen |
| 3 | 7:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. | Mouat vs. Shuster |
| 3 | 7:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. | Tirinzoni vs. Tabata |
| 3 | 7:30 p.m. / 6:30 p.m. | Homan vs. Wranå |
About the Championship
The Crown Royal Players’ Championship features 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams, each invited based on their performance in the World Curling rankings. Teams are divided into two pools for round-robin play, with the top six overall advancing to the playoffs. The competition also includes specific rules regarding how teams can manage their scoring and gameplay.
If you’re a curling fan, this championship promises unforgettable moments and fierce competition. Stay tuned for the live updates and results throughout the event!
