The 20th annual Canadian Pride Curling Championships begin on March 4 at the Royal Canadian Curling Club in East Toronto. Hosted by the Riverdale and Rotators curling leagues, the event brings together the top 16 teams from across Canada. Olympic curler Emma Miskew will open the tournament with a ceremonial rock throw.
The Royal Canadian Curling Club, located at 131 Broadview Avenue near Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue, will host the 20th Canadian Pride Curling Championships (CPCC) starting Wednesday, March 4, 2026. This unique tournament, the only one of its kind worldwide, forms part of a national Pride-curling network with 20 leagues spanning every province in Canada.
The Riverdale Curling League and the Rotators Curling League, the latter being the largest and longest-running 2SLGBTQIA+ curling league globally, are serving as hosts. Teams qualify for the best-of-the-best competition through previous-year rankings, national points, and league playdowns. This marks the first time the top 16 Canadian teams have returned to Toronto since 2015, making it the city's third time hosting the event.
Mark Field, president of the Riverdale Curling League, emphasized the value of a safe space for queer participants. “Queer participants in spaces not allocated to them experience homophobia and at higher levels of competition, there’s aggression. When the environment is too competitive, it’s detrimental to the enjoyment of the sport,” Field said. “At Riverdale, we’re able to be ourselves and provide a place with better understanding and enjoy it.”
The championships, dubbed the 2026 “Gay Grand Slam,” will open at 1 p.m. on March 4 with Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world champion curler Emma Miskew throwing the ceremonial first rock alongside event pioneers. Pool play starts that evening, leading to Championship Sunday on March 8. Spectators can view draws and the opening from the club's lounge.
Concurrently, the Riverdale and Rotators leagues will hold their recreational bonspiel, Do It On The Ice. “It’s about getting people out and playing the game,” Field noted. Last year's CPCC occurred at Edmonton's Granite Curling Club, where Calgary's Apollo Curling claimed the title; Toronto's two teams placed fifth and eighth.
Field, who has attended nine championships, described the experience as fantastic for observing both recreational and competitive play. As more cities participate, the event fosters greater unity, he added: “It’s a privilege to host. It’s a great feeling to be able to welcome others into your home because the curling club in the winter feels like home.”
