Wheelchair curling in Canada has entered an exciting chapter with increased visibility, a stronger foundation and greater participation across the country. As the sport continues to grow, Curling Canada is evolving its national championship and bringing the community together in new ways to support the next stage of its development.
Beginning in 2028, Curling Canada will pilot an expanded format at the Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship, featuring three disciplines: mixed team, doubles and mixed doubles.
Also on the horizon, at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season the inaugural National Wheelchair Curling Summit will take place following the national championship in Richmond, B.C.
“Athletes and Member Associations from across the country have been sharing feedback and asking for change for years, continuing to collaborate with us to find ways to increase the impact of the national championship,” said Kyle Paquette, Director, Wheelchair Curling at Curling Canada. “For the championship to reach its full potential and become a true centrepiece of the sport, it needed to find the right balance between three objectives: strengthening sport development, growing participation, and elevating high performance. We believe the new format has found that balance and will help us achieve all three goals at once.”
Since wheelchair curling’s first national championship in 2004, the event format has remained largely unchanged. However, several provinces and territories have faced challenges fielding four-person teams. Expanding the championship creates more opportunities for curlers from across the country to compete at the national level.
Under the 2028 pilot, mixed team competition will follow a similar format to the current championship but with a shorter schedule from Jan. 7 to 11. Doubles and mixed doubles will follow from Jan. 11 to 15, with the two disciplines running simultaneously.
The mixed team and doubles competitions will continue to use a Member Association-based qualification model, while mixed doubles will be open to athletes who meet international classification criteria through an open qualification process.
The Leduc Curling Club in Leduc, Alta., has been selected to host the revamped championship from Jan. 7 to 15, 2028, following a successful 22-team event in January 2026. The event brought together domestic and international four-person and mixed doubles teams at the club’s fully accessible, eight-sheet facility, with streaming available across all sheets. It also demonstrated the ability to integrate an on-site classification session into a major championship, supporting athlete progression and better aligning the event with international championship standards.
As the first venue selected under this new model, Leduc reflects a shift away from the open bid process previously used for this championship.
“This approach allows us to identify locations that are not only capable of supporting the expanded format, but that will also help optimize the experience on and off the ice for all participants,” said Paquette. “Leduc was the clear choice for the pilot event. I’m incredibly grateful to the City of Leduc and the Leduc Curling Club for all the support they’ve provided us over the years and in helping to prepare for the launch of this pilot. They’re more than partners to us—they’re genuine leaders in growing wheelchair curling in Canada.”
Collaboration has always been at the heart of wheelchair curling in Canada. The sport is built on a tight-knit community across the country, and the new National Wheelchair Curling Summit is designed to bring that community together to share in what’s ahead.
The two-day gathering will offer a chance to learn about the programs, pathways and resources available to the community while giving athletes, Member Associations, coaches, volunteers and community leaders an opportunity to connect, share ideas and learn from one another.
From April 24 to 25, following the conclusion of the 2027 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship, the inaugural Summit will welcome anyone involved in wheelchair curling or interested in helping shape its next chapter. The Richmond Curling Club will host the 2027 championship from April 19 to 24 and will also host the Summit alongside the Richmond Olympic Oval. The Summit will also offer a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. More information will follow in the lead-up to the event.
“Curling Canada is committed to the long-term growth of wheelchair curling,” said Nolan Thiessen, Chief Executive Officer at Curling Canada. “This expansion reflects our belief that sustained investment in the discipline is essential to building a deeper athlete pool, identifying emerging talent, and creating more meaningful competitive opportunities and experiences for more athletes.
“At the same time, this expanded event supports our efforts to provide as many opportunities as possible for new participants to enjoy our sport and see where it takes them on their curling journey. We are committed to ensuring more Canadians have the opportunity to discover wheelchair curling, pursue competitive excellence and contribute to the continued success of this discipline for years to come.”
Canada’s gold-medal performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games attracted significant attention across the country and created an opportunity to build on the momentum around the sport.
Curling Canada is actively seeking a principal corporate sponsor for the National Wheelchair Curling Program alongside title sponsorship of the 2028 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championship. A new partner would help expand what’s possible for athletes and support the sport’s continued growth across the country.
Organizations interested in partnering with the National Wheelchair Curling Program can contact sponsorship@curling.ca for more information.
The championship pilot, the inaugural National Wheelchair Curling Summit and the search for a new program partner are all part of an effort to create more opportunities and strengthen the pathway for wheelchair curling in Canada. Together, these initiatives will help to build on the momentum already moving the sport forward and create a stronger foundation for its future.
