Rock League is set to bring professional curling to a wider audience in the United States through a new streaming partnership with ESPN+. The league announced Monday that its inaugural 2026 season will be available on the platform, beginning with its first event in Toronto.
Competition gets underway today at noon ET at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. The weeklong event will conclude with championship matches scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
Rock League’s debut arrives shortly after the 2026 Winter Olympics and features a deep pool of international talent. According to the league, 39 participating athletes competed in the Winter Games, including 25 medalists. In total, 60 players are part of the opening event, with 36 Grand Slam champions representing 12 countries.
That level of participation underscores the league’s goal of unifying elite curling talent under one umbrella. It also offers American audiences consistent access to high-level competition, something the sport has historically lacked outside of major international events.
“We built Rock League to showcase the best men’s and women’s curlers on the planet,” said Nic Sulsky, co-founder and CEO of The Curling Group. “Coming off the 2026 Winter Olympics, the timing couldn’t be better for the launch of the sport’s first professional league. ESPN+ allows Rock League to grow its audience in America while delivering an optimal viewing experience.”
In addition to the on-ice product, Rock League has assembled a notable broadcast team. John Cullen and Tyler George will handle play-by-play duties. Analysts include Jennifer Jones, Joanne Courtney, Mike Harris and Chelsea Carey. Meanwhile, Devin Heroux and Matt Hamilton will serve as on-ice hosts, providing interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage during matches.
The league will feature six mixed-gender franchises competing throughout the seven-day preview season: Alpine Curling Club, Frontier Curling Club, Maple United, Northern United, Shield Curling Club and Typhoon Curling Club. Each roster includes five men and five women, with teams competing in men’s, women’s and mixed formats, along with mixed doubles.
This structure reflects a modern approach to the sport, emphasizing inclusivity and variety in competition. It also gives fans multiple formats to follow within a single event window.
Rock League is owned and operated by The Curling Group. With its ESPN+ distribution deal and an Olympic-caliber roster, the organization is betting on a global, franchise-based model. The goal is to elevate the sport’s profile and create new engagement opportunities for fans across North America and beyond.
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