The Curling Group is adjusting its travel plans for the upcoming Rock League season this spring. Initially intending to host events in Europe, TCG, the owner of the Grand Slam of Curling circuit, has decided to focus solely on North America for the debut season.
Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group, confirmed the change, emphasizing the decision to keep the competition within North America. The Rock League will showcase six global franchises, with Rachel Homan from Ottawa leading Canada 1 and Brad Jacobs from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, captaining Canada 2.
Originally, plans included events in Canada, the United States, and Europe, but logistical challenges, particularly venue availability in Europe, led to the revision. Sulsky, while enthusiastic about expanding the sport globally, acknowledged the importance of addressing logistical complexities before venturing into new territories.
Details for the first two Rock League seasons, including locations, team names, dates, and rosters, are set to be unveiled in mid-December. Notable captains from other regions include Bruce Mouat from Scotland (Europe 1), Alina Paetz from Switzerland (Europe 2), Korey Dropkin from the U.S., and Chinami Yoshida from Japan (Asia/Pacific), each leading a team comprising five men and five women.
The Rock League information release is scheduled after the Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax from Nov. 22-30 and before the HearingLife Tour Challenge in Saskatoon from Dec. 16-21. The Saskatoon event marks the fourth of five Grand Slam tournaments for the Olympic season, showcasing new additions like a wheelchair curling invitational and a military invitational, alongside enhanced Tier-2 competition.
Despite introducing innovations such as the Rock Channel streaming service, The Curling Group has faced challenges with fluctuating television ratings and ongoing attendance issues. Recent finals like the AMJ Masters and GSOC Tour Challenge recorded viewership figures lower than previous seasons, reflecting some viewership challenges amidst scheduling conflicts with other sporting events.
The Grand Slam season will culminate with the Players’ Championship in Steinbach, Manitoba, from Jan. 6-11. The league aims to bring a fresh experience to fans and athletes, with a focus on team dynamics crucial for an Olympic year. The recent Kioti GSOC Tahoe event saw notable outcomes with Homan and Mouat securing victories, despite some attendance concerns and scheduling overlaps with baseball playoffs.