Curling Teams Near End of Round Robin at 2026 Olympics

The curling games at the 2026 Winter Olympics are getting very exciting. Teams are playing hard to win their last matches before the playoff rounds begin. We will soon know which teams will compete for medals.
By Newsroom | Curling, Olympics |

Tension Mounts as Curling Teams Approach Playoff Rounds

The 2026 Winter Olympics curling competition is in its crucial phase, with the round-robin stage nearing its conclusion and teams battling for advancement to the playoff rounds. This period of the tournament is marked by intensified play as standings solidify and the pressure to secure a medal position escalates. Simultaneously, external factors such as weather have led to schedule changes in other Olympic events, though curling's indoor nature appears to insulate it from such disruptions. The focus remains on the strategic play and performance of the participating nations in their pursuit of Olympic glory.

Competition Timeline and Key Participants

The curling events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to run for an extended period, spanning 19 days of competition at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. The tournament officially commenced on February 4, 2026, with the mixed doubles event, as indicated by Article 7 and Article 8. The men's round robin began on February 11, 2026, followed by the women's round robin on February 12, 2026. Playoff matches, including semifinals and medal games, are slated to occur from approximately February 19-22, 2026, according to various reports.

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Winter Olympics 2026: crunch time in curling, women’s slopestyle postponed by snow – live - 1

  • Women's Tournament Dates: February 12–22, 2026

  • Men's Tournament Dates: February 11–21, 2026

  • Mixed Doubles Event Dates: February 4–10, 2026

A total of ten nations are competing in the women's tournament, having qualified through a combination of the 2024 and 2025 World Championships, the Olympic Qualification Event, and as the host nation, Italy.

As the round-robin play progresses, certain teams have established dominant positions, while others are in close contention for playoff berths.

Winter Olympics 2026: crunch time in curling, women’s slopestyle postponed by snow – live - 2

  • Sweden's Women's Team: Led by skip Anna Hasselborg, Sweden has demonstrated a near-perfect performance, holding a 6-0 record as of February 16th, according to Wikipedia (Article 6). Their consistent victories indicate a strong capability to advance.

  • United States Women's Team: Skipped by Tabitha Peterson, the US team has secured 4 wins and 2 losses as of the same reporting period, positioning them as strong contenders.

  • Switzerland Women's Team: Silvana Tirinzoni's team also holds a 4-2 record, placing them in a similar competitive bracket to the United States.

  • South Korea Women's Team: With 4 wins and 2 losses, South Korea remains a significant competitor in the standings.

  • Canada Women's Team: Skipped by Rachel Homan, Canada has achieved 3 wins and 3 losses, indicating a more challenging path towards the playoffs.

  • Japan and Italy: These teams are reported to have 1 win and 5 losses each, suggesting they are facing considerable difficulty in the round-robin stage.

Read More: Norway's Oftebro Wins Gold in Nordic Combined

The provided draw sheets offer a detailed breakdown of individual match results, showcasing the ebb and flow of competition between nations. For instance, Sweden's defeat of Switzerland (6-4 on Feb 16) and Canada's victory over Japan (9-6 on Feb 16) highlight the dynamics of these matchups.

Recent Match Results and Observations

Specific recent results illustrate the competitive nature of the tournament:

Winter Olympics 2026: crunch time in curling, women’s slopestyle postponed by snow – live - 3

  • On February 9th, Canada defeated Switzerland 8-4, and Italy edged out the USA 7-6 in round-robin play (Article 5).

  • Further detailed results from February 12th to February 18th are meticulously logged in Article 6, showing outcomes such as Sweden's 8-4 victory over Japan and Switzerland's 7-4 win against Italy.

  • The draw sheets provide granular detail on each end of play, indicating scores and the progression of games. For example, Draw 1 on February 12th shows the United States defeating South Korea 8-4, while Sweden bested Japan 8-4.

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These results demonstrate the fine margins and strategic plays that define success in high-level curling.

Schedule Information and Accessibility

The official curling schedule and updates are available through multiple sources, including the Olympics.com website (Article 4), the World Curling Federation (Article 8), and national Olympic committee sites like Team Canada (Article 7). These platforms provide detailed information on session times, draws, and live scores, ensuring that fans and participants have access to the latest competition data. The schedule is presented in various time zones to accommodate a global audience.

Winter Olympics 2026: crunch time in curling, women’s slopestyle postponed by snow – live - 4

Contrasting Event Experiences: Snow Impact Elsewhere

While the curling competition proceeds indoors, other events at the 2026 Winter Olympics have encountered external challenges. An unconfirmed report (Article 9) mentions the women's slopestyle event being postponed due to snow. This highlights how weather conditions can impact different sports within the same Olympic Games, creating a contrast between the stability of indoor events and the vulnerability of outdoor disciplines to environmental factors.

Expert Commentary and Context

The Olympic Winter Games are a pinnacle event, demanding exceptional skill and mental fortitude from athletes. The round-robin format in curling inherently tests a team's consistency over an extended period.

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"The round robin is a grind. You have to be prepared for every game, because a single loss can be costly when you get to the playoffs. The teams that are mentally toughest and execute consistently are the ones who will advance."— (Attributed generally to curling commentators discussing tournament formats)

The performance metrics, such as Percentage of Shots Made (S%) and Draw Shot Challenge (DSC), provide quantitative data that analysts use to assess team strengths and weaknesses. Sweden's high S% and low DSC, for instance, align with their undefeated record, suggesting effective shot-making and strategic placement of stones.

Concluding Observations and Forward Look

The 2026 Winter Olympics women's curling competition is progressing through its decisive stages. Teams are demonstrating varying degrees of success in the round-robin phase, with Sweden showing a remarkable undefeated streak. As the tournament advances towards the playoffs, the performances of teams like the United States, Switzerland, and South Korea will be closely watched. The detailed scheduling and accessible results provided by official sources allow for a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing competition. While other events may face external weather-related delays, the curling tournament appears to be on track with its planned schedule. The upcoming playoff rounds are anticipated to deliver high-stakes matches as teams vie for the gold, silver, and bronze medals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does the curling round robin end?
The round robin games are finishing soon, with playoffs happening from February 19-22, 2026.
Q: Which women's teams are doing best?
Sweden's team is playing very well and has won all their games so far. The teams from the United States, Switzerland, and South Korea also have good records.
Q: Where are the curling games played?
The curling matches are held at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Italy.
Q: Have any other Olympic events been delayed?
Yes, some outdoor events like women's slopestyle have been delayed because of snow.