Every four years, curling draws curious viewers who wonder how sliding granite stones across ice became an Olympic sport. But curling carries centuries of history and remains one of the oldest team sports in the world.
According to International Olympic Committee, curling dates back to the 16th century in Scotland. What began as a recreational pastime on frozen ponds evolved into a regulated international sport in the 18th century and officially joined the Olympic program at the first Winter Games in 1924.
With competition underway at the 2026 Winter Olympics, here’s a straightforward look at how curling works, how teams score, and where fans can watch every match.
How Is Curling Played?
Curling takes place on a long sheet of ice with a target, called the “house,” at each end. Two teams alternate sliding granite stones toward the center of the house, known as the button.
Players sweep the ice in front of a moving stone to control speed and direction. Each round is called an “end,” similar to an inning in baseball. Teams earn points based on which stones finish closest to the button.
Only one team scores per end.
If no stones finish in the house, neither team scores. That result is called a “blank end.”
Traditional men’s and women’s matches usually last 10 ends, though some competitions use eight. Mixed doubles typically play eight ends. If teams remain tied after regulation, they play extra ends until one team wins.
Strategy plays a major role. Teams must decide when to draw stones into scoring position, guard their shots, or remove opponents’ stones.
Each Olympic curling stone weighs about 44 pounds and is carved from dense granite quarried on Ailsa Craig, a small island off Scotland’s coast.
It is widely considered the only source of granite with the durability required for elite curling.
Men’s Curling: Team Casper Represents Team USA
Team USA’s men’s squad, known as Team Casper, features skip Danny Casper, Aidan Oldenburg (lead), Ben Richardson (second), Luc Violette (third), and Rich Ruohonen (alternate).
Danny Casper brings a personal comeback story to Milan Cortina. His great-aunt, Carla Casper, competed at the 1988 Calgary Games, while her husband, Tom Casper, coached Team USA at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
Casper’s own journey stalled when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. Symptoms can range from weakness to paralysis.
After recovering, Casper returned to elite competition and defeated five-time Olympian John Shuster in a dramatic three-game final at the Olympic Trials in November. One month later, Team Casper defeated China at the Olympic Qualification Event in Kelowna, Canada, securing its spot in Italy.
Women’s Curling: Team Peterson Earns Olympic Berth
Team Peterson will represent the United States in women’s curling, led by skip Tabitha Peterson Lovick alongside Taylor Anderson-Heide (lead), Tara Peterson (second), Cory Thiesse (third), and Aileen Geving (alternate).
Team Peterson qualified after defeating Norway’s top-seeded Team Roervik at the Olympic Qualification Event in Kelowna. A series of steals and steady play from Cory Thiesse sealed the win.
Peterson Lovick, a new mother, will compete alongside her younger sister
Tara Peterson. Milan Cortina marks the third Winter Olympics the siblings have entered together.
Mixed Doubles Curling: Team Dropkin/Thiesse
The U.S. mixed doubles team features Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin. Thiesse is the only American curler competing in multiple events in Milan Cortina.
Outside curling, Thiesse works as a lab technician and is the daughter of former Olympian Linda Christensen. Dropkin is a licensed realtor who has curled since age five.
The mixed doubles format pairs one man and one woman, with fast-paced games and fewer stones per end than traditional team competition.
How to Watch and Stream Curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Curling from Milan Cortina will air on NBC and its affiliates and stream live on Peacock from February 4 through February 22.
Coverage includes:
Mixed doubles: Wednesday, February 4 – Tuesday, February 10
Men’s team: Wednesday, February 11 – Saturday, February 21
Women’s team: Thursday, February 12 – Sunday, February 22
Curling 101: Rules, Scoring, How to Watch and Stream From the Winter Olympics 2026