Kelowna gets its chance to host the 2025 Montana’s Brier
Good things come to those who wait, and you can safely assume that Montana’s 2025 Brier will be worth the wait.
For the first time since 1968, the world’s most prestigious national men’s curling championship will be held in Kelowna, British Columbia, it was announced today by Curling Canada.
The 2025 Canadian Men’s Curling Championships will be held from February 28 to March 9 at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
The city was selected to host the Brier in 2021, but that event was moved to the bubble in Calgary due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We couldn’t be happier to see Kelowna get this opportunity to bring Montana’s Brier back to the Okanagan after nearly 60 years,” said Danny Lamoureux, Interim CEO of Curling Canada. “It was disappointing that the event could not be held in 2021, but we know Kelowna will make up for lost time with an amazing event in 2025.”
Kelowna, located in British Columbia’s fertile Okanagan Valley, last hosted a Brier tournament in 1968 when Alberta’s Ron Northcutt hoisted the Tankard at Memorial Arena.
Prospera Place, home of the Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets, will host a 6,886-seat venue this time around, giving fans the chance to enjoy an outing to nearby Okanagan Lake between draws.
“We warmly welcome all participants, spectators and visitors to the traditional territory of the Okanagan Selix people,” said West Bank First Nations Chief Robert Lowe. “The 2025 Montana’s Brier not only showcases the pinnacle of men’s curling but also provides an opportunity to appreciate the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of our lands in the Okanagan Valley. We are excited to share our traditions, hospitality and the essence of our vibrant community with all those who gather here for this special event.”
“Kelowna has a strong curling community with a long history of producing elite talent and hosting major curling events,” Kelowna Mayor Tom Dias added. “With one of the largest curling clubs in Canada, Kelowna is equipped with a strong team of volunteers to make the event memorable, while our entire community looks forward to showing our hospitality to the fans, players and officials.”
Kelowna is no stranger to hosting major curling events, including… 2023 All-Continental Curling Championshipwhich begins Sunday at the Kelowna Curling Club.
Other major events over the years in Kelowna include the 1986 Women’s World Championship (won by Canada’s Marilyn Bodog), the 1989 Scotties Tournament of Hearts (won by Canada’s Heather Houston), and the 1999 Canadian Junior Championship (won by John Morris From Ontario and Quebec). Marie-France Laroche), the 2002 World Junior Championship (won by Canadians David Hamblin and Casey Johnson of the United States), and, most recently, the 2018 World Mixed Curling Championship, won by Canadian Mike Anderson.
“Congratulations to Kelowna for being selected to host the 2025 Montana Brier,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports. “We look forward to showcasing the best of the Okanagan Valley to fans and competitors from across Canada, while bringing the community together in celebration and the excitement of the sport.”
Kelowna’s version of the Brier will get its second year of title sponsorship from Montana’s BBQ & Bar, which entered into a multi-year partnership with Curling Canada last month.
“We are extremely excited that the 2025 Montana Brier will be held in Kelowna, and we will be joining fans across the country to cheer on our best men’s teams as they compete for the national championship,” said Yani Fountas, Director of Marketing for the 2025 Montana Brier. Montana’s BBQ & Bar. “Our Kelowna restaurant is ready to join the action and make the 2025 Montana’s Brier unforgettable for everyone.”
This will be the eighth time the event has been held in British Columbia, with the last edition being in 2014 in Kamloops.
“There is an enthusiastic group of curlers, volunteers and fans in the Okanagan who will work hard to make the 2025 Montana Brier a huge success story,” said Scott Braley, CEO of Curl BC. The province will support this event, and we will all be ready to welcome the country to Kelowna in 2025.
The team that emerges victorious in Kelowna will continue to wear the Maple Leaf a few weeks later at the 2025 BKT Tires Men’s World Championship, which will be held in a Canadian city (location, dates TBD).
With a top-six finish at the 2025 World Championships, the winner of the 2025 Montana Brier will also qualify for the 2025 Canadian Curling Trials, where Canada’s four-player teams will be determined for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Also, the 2025 Montana Brier winner will return to the 2026 Montana Brier as defending champion Team Canada.
“The Montana Brier has long been identified by Tourism Kelowna and the City of Kelowna as a major event to watch based on the significant new spending it will generate during Kelowna’s slower winter tourism season,” said Lisanne Ballantyne, President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna. . “This hugely popular event will provide an estimated 9,000 nightly room reservations and an estimated $8 million to $15 million economic impact for local businesses. We are thrilled to have Kelowna highlighted nationally through TSN’s broadcast, continuing to build the Central brand For the Okanagan as a center for major winter sports tournaments.
The Brier has been played in 31 cities across Canada, from Victoria to St. John’s, and Alberta leads the NL in Brier victories with 28, followed by Manitoba with 27. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut have yet to qualify. Wins.
The first entry into the 2025 Montana’s Brier will be set for March 10, 2024, in Regina, where the winner of the 2024 Montana’s Brier will be determined that day, and will play as Team Canada in Kelowna.
Ticket and volunteer information will be released in early 2024. Fans are encouraged Sign up for Curling Canada Collective To receive updates.
