Rachel Homan's decision to skip the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts for Olympic preparations has created an open competition among 18 teams in Mississauga, Ontario. Kerri Einarson, leading Team Canada, emerges as the favorite with her four prior championships. The event, the first in the Greater Toronto Area, faces challenges from heavy snow but promises compelling drama.
The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Canada's national women's curling championship, is underway at the Paramount Foods Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, marking the first time the event has been held in the Greater Toronto Area. With seating for over 5,000, the arena drew a reasonable crowd for the opening weekend, though a severe snowstorm has hampered attendance, leaving some parking lots buried and fans like local observers stuck at home.
Rachel Homan, a five-time Scotties champion who won in 2024 and 2025, is notably absent. Her team is prioritizing preparations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, forgoing a potential third straight world title opportunity. This opens the door for new champions, as every competing team includes at least one player without a prior Scotties win.
Kerri Einarson, skipping Team Canada, is the frontrunner with victories from 2020 to 2023. Despite a recent tight win over Ontario, she expressed enthusiasm: "It’s an absolute honour to be able to wear the red and white again." Einarson added, "When our backs are against the wall, we do rise to the occasion. We’re going to go out there this week and give it our all."
Christina Black, who earned bronze in 2025 and reached the Olympic Trials final by defeating Einarson in the semifinals, is a strong contender. "We hit our goals whenever we set them. Our goal is to get on the top of the podium this time," Black said. Northern Ontario's Krista Scharf, a two-time silver medallist in her 13th appearance, noted the field's intensity: "Every team is wanting it really, really badly."
Alberta's Selena Sturmay, in her third straight Scotties, is shifting focus to victory: "This year, we’ve kind of switched gears, and we’re here to win. We’re here to play our best." Other notable rinks include those skipped by Kaitlyn Lawes, Kyla Skrlik, Beth Peterson, and rookies like Hailey Armstrong, Taylour Stevens, and Taylor Reese-Hanson.
The round-robin phase concludes on Thursday, with finals on Sunday. Amid an Olympic year, the tournament could boost curling's momentum in the GTA, a region with a rich history but facing declining club participation.
