The Crown Royal Players’ Championship is currently underway in southeastern Manitoba, featuring the top 24 curling teams globally. This event serves as a crucial preparation ahead of the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
At the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach, the Grand Slam of Curling event kicked off on Tuesday, showcasing the top 12 men’s and women’s teams based on year-to-date rankings. Notably, 13 of the competing teams are set to participate in the Winter Olympics in Italy next month.
During Wednesday’s matches, the team led by Mike McEwen from Winnipeg faced a 6-3 defeat against Scotland’s Ross Whyte. BJ Neufeld, stepping in as the third player for McEwen’s team, acknowledged Scotland’s strong performance, noting missed opportunities on their end.
Neufeld, with personal ties to Steinbach through his family, highlighted the significance of playing in the new Southeast Event Centre for the first time. The modern facility, which opened in August, impressed Neufeld, who hopes it will attract more major events like the Grand Slam in the future.
Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, the communications director for the Southeast Event Centre, emphasized the positive impact of the championship on Steinbach, drawing attention to the city and its potential for future events.
Among the spectators is Billy Morton, a curling enthusiast from Scotland who traveled to Manitoba to support his friends and former teammates competing at the event. Morton praised the facilities in Steinbach, noting their superior quality compared to those in Scotland.
Gimli’s Kerri Einarson led her team to victory on Wednesday, defeating Momoha Tabata’s Japanese team 8-7. The Players’ Championship will continue throughout the weekend, with the finals scheduled for Sunday.