Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be held in Mississauga, Ontario, marking the first time the Canadian women’s curling championship will take place in the Greater Toronto Area.
- Two-time defending champion Rachel Homan will not be competing, leaving the field wide open for a new champion.
- Top contenders include Team Kerri Einarson, Team Christina Black, and Team Kaitlyn Lawes.
- The tournament features a mix of experienced teams and newcomers, including several Scotties rookies.
- The winning team will represent Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary from March 14-22.
Introduction to the Scotties Tournament of Hearts
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts is one of the most prestigious events in Canadian curling, and this year’s tournament is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With two-time defending champion Rachel Homan not competing, the field is wide open for a new champion to emerge. The tournament will be held at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, marking the first time the event has taken place in the Greater Toronto Area.
Top Contenders
Several teams are considered top contenders for the championship, including Team Kerri Einarson, Team Christina Black, and Team Kaitlyn Lawes. Team Einarson, led by skip Kerri Einarson, is ranked second in Canada and has a strong track record at the Scotties, having won four straight championships from 2020-2023. Team Black, led by skip Christina Black, had a strong 2024-25 campaign and is looking to build on that momentum. Team Lawes, led by skip Kaitlyn Lawes, is a highly experienced team that has struggled with consistency but has the talent to make a deep run in the tournament.
Next Tier of Contenders
Several other teams are also considered contenders, including Team Selena Sturmay, Team Kayla Skrlik, and Team Beth Peterson. Team Sturmay, led by skip Selena Sturmay, has had a strong season and is looking to build on that momentum. Team Skrlik, led by skip Kayla Skrlik, has struggled this season but has the talent to make a deep run in the tournament. Team Peterson, led by skip Beth Peterson, is a wild card team that has the potential to make a run to the playoffs.
Scotties Rookies
The tournament also features several Scotties rookies, including Team Taylor Reese-Hansen, Team Hailey Armstrong, and Team Amanda Power. Team Reese-Hansen, led by skip Taylor Reese-Hansen, has had a strong season and is looking to make a deep run in the tournament. Team Armstrong, led by skip Hailey Armstrong, is a young team that is looking to gain experience at the Scotties. Team Power, led by skip Amanda Power, is a rookie team that is looking to make a strong impression.
Rest of the Field
The rest of the field includes several experienced teams, including Team Krista Scharf, Team Jolene Campbell, and Team Nicky Kaufman. Team Scharf, led by skip Krista Scharf, is a highly experienced team that has struggled with consistency but has the talent to make a deep run in the tournament. Team Campbell, led by skip Jolene Campbell, is a team that has had success on the Saskatchewan circuit but will face stiffer competition at the Scotties. Team Kaufman, led by skip Nicky Kaufman, is a young team that is looking to gain experience at the Scotties.
Conclusion
The 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in Canadian curling. With a wide open field and several top contenders, the tournament is anyone’s to win. The winning team will represent Canada at the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary from March 14-22, and will have the opportunity to make history as the first team to win the championship in the Greater Toronto Area.
