Curling Group delays Rock League schedule news as Medicine Hat Slam looms
The company behind the Rock League and Grand Slam of Curling series pushed back a promised schedule announcement, adding to a rocky stretch for the pro curling venture. Medicine Hat is set to host a Grand Slam event in November.
Why it matters
Medicine Hat is scheduled to host a Grand Slam of Curling event in November amid uncertainty over the league's sponsorship and organizational stability.
The Curling Group postponed a Rock League schedule announcement that had been planned for Wednesday, the latest setback for the young professional curling league. CEO Nic Sulsky said the delay came after a partner requested an extra day, with a news release now expected Thursday.
The five-event Season 2 schedule released last December lists stops in Moose Jaw, Halifax, Utica, N.Y., and Ottawa, with playoffs planned for April but no confirmed location. Halifax's Scotiabank Centre, listed as a host venue, told reporters it has no confirmed Rock League booking, and some dates conflict with provincial and international curling championships.
The league has faced repeated turbulence since its 2024 purchase of the Grand Slam of Curling series, including a downsized opening season moved from a six-week international format to a single week in St. Paul, Minn., then Toronto. Several top Canadian curlers, including Brier champion skip Matt Dunstone, withdrew before that debut, which also suffered production issues and poor attendance.
The company has not released attendance figures or athlete earnings despite billing Rock League as professional. Its Grand Slam season, compressed into two months this fall, still lacks a title sponsor. Only the Victoria stop has an event sponsor, while GSOC branding remains on events including the Nov. 3-8 Masters in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
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