Saskatoon is set to host the Brier in 2027, marking the 100th anniversary of the men’s curling championship.
The centennial events will commence on February 26, 2027, at SaskTel Centre, marking the seventh occasion that Saskatoon has welcomed the Brier. Previously, the city hosted the 75th Brier in 2004, and the last Brier held there was in 2012.
Curling Canada revealed Saskatoon’s successful bid on Monday at a local Montana’s BBQ & Bar, which serves as the title sponsor for the Brier. Tickets may be available for purchase as early as March.
According to CurlSask’s executive director, Steve Turner, there is no better location to commemorate the centennial than Saskatchewan.
<p“When the Brier takes place here, it becomes a provincial holiday,” Turner remarked on Monday.
“For us, curling is more than just a sport; it’s an integral part of our culture. We have a history of setting attendance records because no fans are as knowledgeable or as passionately supportive as those from Saskatchewan.”
The most recent instance of the province hosting the national men’s championship occurred in 2024 in Regina. Both Regina and Saskatoon have hosted the event a total of 12 times, with Saskatchewan teams clinching the title seven times.
The last time Saskatchewan secured the Brier title was in 1980, when the Saskatoon team led by Rick Folk, along with Ron Mills, Tom Wilson, and Jim Wilson, brought home the championship. They also won the world championship that same year.
The 1980 Brier champions — skip Rick Folk, Ron Mills, Tom Wilson, and Jim Wilson — were the last team from Saskatchewan to win the national title. (Curling Canada)
Mayor Cynthia Block stated at the announcement event that hosting the Brier will be an opportunity to highlight Saskatoon and honor the sport’s rich history in the province.
“Everybody understands that your hometown is wherever your rink is,” Block expressed. “In the thriving metropolis of Dundurn, my dad and I were rink rats, as is customary for those from rural Saskatchewan.”
Block assured that Saskatoon will “make this the most thrilling Brier in the event’s history.”
Saskatoon will host the Brier in 2027, when the men’s curling championship celebrates its 100th year. Tickets for the event at Sasktel Centre will go on sale in the spring of 2026.
The successful bid was submitted by Discover Saskatoon and Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Inc. Discover Saskatoon serves as the city’s “official destination marketing organization,” as noted in its 2024 annual report.
Earlier this year, city councillors approved a funding request of $350,000 from Discover Saskatoon to enhance its bid. During her presentation to councillors on April 23, Discover Saskatoon CEO Stephanie Clovechok did not specify the event, referring to it instead as a “premier national winter sport championship” in a letter to the city council.
Clovechok explained to councillors that the $350,000 was needed for the incentive fee required for the bid submission. Discover Saskatoon anticipates that the event could generate $15.7 million in direct business sales, $1.73 million in provincial sales tax revenue, and 13,862 hotel room bookings.
With the bid’s success, Discover Saskatoon is expected to provide a report back to the city council detailing “final figures on participation, economic impact, and the event budget specific to Saskatoon,” as outlined in a city administration report.
The inaugural Brier took place in March 1927 in Toronto, with Nova Scotia defeating seven other teams.
The champion of the 2027 Brier will represent Canada at the 2027 World Men’s Curling Championship.
The 2026 Brier is scheduled to occur in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, starting on February 27.
