The Curling Group has adjusted its travel plans for the upcoming Rock League season, deciding not to include events in Europe as initially intended. The debut season of the league, set to start in April, will focus solely on North America this year, according to Nic Sulsky, the CEO of The Curling Group.
The Rock League will showcase six global franchises, with Rachel Homan from Ottawa leading Canada 1 and Brad Jacobs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., heading Canada 2. Originally, the plan included events in Canada, the United States, and Europe, but logistical challenges, particularly with venue availability in Europe, led to the change in plans.
Sulsky emphasized the organization’s ambition to expand the sport worldwide but acknowledged that logistical considerations sometimes require more time. Details for the first two seasons of the Rock League, including locations, team names, dates, and rosters, are expected to be unveiled in mid-December.
Notable captains for the league’s teams include Bruce Mouat from Scotland (Europe 1), Alina Paetz from Switzerland (Europe 2), Korey Dropkin from the U.S., and Chinami Yoshida from Japan (Asia/Pacific). Each team will consist of five men’s and five women’s curlers.
The announcement of Rock League details will follow the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax from Nov. 22-30 and precede the HearingLife Tour Challenge in Saskatoon from Dec. 16-21. The Saskatoon event will be the fourth of five Grand Slam events in the Olympic season, marking the second full season under The Curling Group’s ownership.
Despite recent additions like a wheelchair curling invitational and a military invitational, as well as the launch of the Rock Channel streaming service, the Grand Slam series has faced challenges such as fluctuating television ratings and ongoing attendance issues.
The upcoming Players’ Championship in Steinbach, Manitoba, scheduled for Jan. 6-11, will bring the Grand Slam season to a close.
