The Ultimate Guide to the 2026 USA Curling Men's and Women's National Championships

Right on the heels of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, the curling spotlight has officially shifted stateside. The 2026 USA Curling Men's and Women's National Championships are currently underway, running from February 23 through March 1, 2026.

Making history for the sport, this year’s prestigious tournament is being hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina. This marks the very first time the Tar Heel State has welcomed the Nationals, bringing elite curling action to a brand-new, enthusiastic Southern market.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 USA Curling Nationals, from the venue details to the top contenders hitting the ice.

Key Event Details

• Dates: February 23 – March 1, 2026

  
  

• Location: Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina

  
  

• The Stakes: The winning teams will earn the coveted title of National Champions and will go on to represent the United States at the 2026 World Men's and World Women's Curling Championships later this year.

  
  

• Format: The tournament features an elite field of the top eight men's and eight women's teams in the nation, battling it out in 10-end round-robin play, culminating in semi-finals and finals over the weekend.

The Men's Field: Top Contenders

The men's bracket is stacked with familiar faces and rising stars who punched their tickets through the Olympic Trials, the Saint Paul Cash Spiel, the Last Chance Qualifier, and World Curling Team Ranking System (WCTRS) points.

• Team Shuster: Led by former Olympic gold medalist John Shuster, this veteran squad is always a heavy favorite on the national stage.

  
  

• Team A. Stopera: A powerhouse lineup featuring Andrew Stopera, Tom Howell, Mark Fenner, and Lance Wheeler.

• Team Dunnam: Scott Dunnam's crew secured their spot with a strong runner-up finish at the Saint Paul Cash Spiel.

  
  

• Other Qualifiers: Team Tuma, Team Wendling, Team Mansell, Team Hodek, and Team McMullin round out the highly competitive 8-team field.

The Women's Field: Teams to Watch

The women's bracket features a fierce lineup of teams looking to claim gold in Charlotte and book their tickets to the World Championships.

• Team Cousins: Fresh off a stellar season as Olympic Trial silver medalists, Elizabeth Cousins and her squad are prime contenders for the top of the podium.

  
  

• Team Strouse: Delaney Strouse leads a talented roster that consistently performs under pressure.

  
  

• Team M. Stopera: Megan Stopera's team fought hard at the Saint Paul Cash Spiel to secure their early berth to Charlotte.

  
  

• Other Qualifiers: Team McMakin, Team Weldon, Team Rhyme, Team Podoll, and Team Pekowitz complete the talented 8-team roster.

How to Watch the 2026 Curling Nationals

Attending in Person

If you are in the Charlotte area, you can still catch the action live at the Bojangles Coliseum. Tickets are currently available through AXS and SeatGeek, with single-session passes starting around $35. Multi-session and premium group packages are also available.

Streaming from Home

For fans following the tournament from afar, all games will be available to stream for free on the USA Curling YouTube channel. The broadcasts are produced by the Stadium Sports Network (SSN), offering high-quality coverage of every draw.