The Crown Royal Players’ Championship is currently underway in southeastern Manitoba, featuring the world’s top 24 curling teams. This event serves as the final preparation before the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. The competition, part of the Grand Slam of Curling, has brought together the top 12 men’s and women’s teams based on year-to-date rankings at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach.
Thirteen of the competing teams in Steinbach are set to participate in the Winter Olympics in Italy next month. In a recent match, Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen-led team faced a 6-3 defeat against Scotland’s Ross Whyte. BJ Neufeld, filling in as the third player for McEwen, acknowledged Scotland’s strong performance, stating that they made it challenging for his team.
Neufeld, with family ties in Steinbach, expressed the significance of playing in his hometown. He praised the new Southeast Event Centre, highlighting its modern facilities and hoping it attracts more major events like the Grand Slams in the future. The event has also drawn attention to Steinbach, a city of around 20,000 people, as an emerging destination for such competitions.
Billy Morton, a curling enthusiast from Scotland, traveled to Manitoba to support his friends and former teammates competing at the event. He commended the facilities in Steinbach, comparing them favorably to those in Scotland. Another notable match featured Gimli’s Kerri Einarson leading her team to victory against Momoha Tabata’s Japanese team.
The Players’ Championship will run through the weekend, with the finals scheduled for Sunday. The event is not only a showcase of top-tier curling talent but also a significant boost for the city of Steinbach, attracting visitors and highlighting its growing prominence in the sports arena.