The 2025 Montana’s Brier, Canada’s premier men’s curling championship, is currently captivating fans from February 28 to March 9 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia. This prestigious event not only marks the return of the Brier to Kelowna for the first time since 1968, but it also serves as the stage for the best men’s curling teams across the nation to vie for the title of Canadian champion. The winning team will have the honor of representing Canada at the 2025 World Men’s Curling Championship, which will be hosted on Canadian soil later this year in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
According to the host committee, the event is expected to inject approximately $18 million back to the local economy, as the city buzzes with curling fans and visitors. 20It has been about six years in the making because it was supposed to happen in 2021 when COVID hit,21 said Sasha Carter, the Host Committee Vice-Chair. Anticipation has been building within both the local curling community and fans across Canada who have embraced the Brier's triumphant return.
Fans began pouring in as early as Monday, preparing for the excitement of draw one which first took place on Friday evening. Among the notable competitors is Team Canada, skipped by Brad Gushue, who is chasing his fourth consecutive Brier title and seventh overall. Gushue’s rink features seasoned players like Mark Nichols and Geoff Walker, but as the season has progressed, they’ve faced challenges, including going 0-4 at their most recent Grand Slam. Will this be the year he reigns supreme again?
On the other side of the equation stands Saskatchewan's Team McEwen, having reached the final last year but falling short against Gushue. This year, Mike McEwen and his rink are eager to finish the job and secure their first Brier title, battling for not only national glory but the opportunity to bring back the Tankard to Saskatchewan for the first time since 1980.
Adding to the competitive tension is Team Kleiter, also hailing from Saskatchewan, which won the right to represent their province by capturing the SaskTel Tankard and will go head-to-head with the other teams for Brier supremacy.
The tournament engages 18 teams, including representatives from every province and territory, with the first draw commencing Friday night and showcasing spectacular matches throughout the weekend. Notable matchups on the schedule include Team Dunstone facing off against Team Koe, alongside other exciting pairings expected to thrill perfectionist curling fans.
Each day promises to bring nail-biting action to the ice as 18 teams battle it out over ten days. The structure of the tournament sees the teams divided equally between two pools, with the top three from each pool advancing to the championship round, culminating with the Page playoffs. This setup adds layers of strategy and excitement as each team works toward securing their spot.
The atmosphere around the event has been electric, with the local curling club fostering community spirit through gatherings like the ‘March to the Brier.’ Hundreds of fans, adorned with team colors and carrying brooms and rocks, paraded down the waterfront, echoing the celebrations of 1968 when Kelowna last hosted the tournament. Jock Tyre, the Kelowna Curling Club general manager, exclaimed, 20I think we’ll have one of the best Briers we’ve ever seen21, reflecting the widespread enthusiasm.
The Original 16 Patch at Delta Grand Hotel will serve as the fan space, offering live entertainment, food, and drink options as part of the festivities. The band 54-40 will perform to kick off the event, alongside opportunities for fans to engage with the curlers through sessions called Up Close & Personal. 20It’s just amazing to see those people, and they collect pins, and they wear T-shirts, and they’ve got banners and flags and costumes,21 said Tyre, reitering the palpable excitement surrounding this iconic sporting event.
For logistical convenience, transit services are complimentary for anyone holding tickets, promoting ease for fans to witness the events live. Cawston Avenue will be closed to traffic during the tournament to fit the expected influx of spectators descending on Kelowna. This thoughtful approach hints at the level of community investment and excitement the Brier sparks.
Fans eager to catch the action will find the tournament televised live across Canada on TSN, with timestamped schedules provided at all fan spaces and online. For those outside Canada, Curling World OTT offers the chance to live stream the Brier without the need for cable subscriptions.
Amongst the highly competitive teams to keep an eye on this year are Team Alberta (Koe), not to be underestimated, and Team Manitoba (Carruthers), who have made strategic changes to their lineup and strive for glory this year, enhancing the depth of competition.
Perhaps the real storyline will emerge from the fresh faces making their Brier debuts — youth skippers from various provinces are hoping to shake up the scene and prove themselves on the ice with each shot. Expect to see dramatic shots and rivalries heating up, making for thrilling afternoons and evenings full of curling excitement.
The stage is set for the 2025 Montana’s Brier, promising exhilarating matches, fanfare, and heated rivalries as Canada's curling elite vie for the opportunity to etch their names on the national champion trophy. Whether it’s through the lenses of fans present at the Prospera Place or those tuning from afar, curling enthusiasts are guaranteed to witness unforgettable moments and historical performances as these teams battle it out.