The Crown Royal Players’ Championship is currently underway in southeastern Manitoba, featuring the world’s top 24 curling teams before the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Taking place at the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach, the event includes the top 12 men’s and women’s teams from the year-to-date rankings.
Thirteen of the competing teams are set to participate in the Winter Olympics in Italy next month. In a recent match, Winnipeg’s Mike McEwen’s team faced a 6-3 defeat against Scotland’s Ross Whyte. BJ Neufeld, playing as the third for McEwen’s team, acknowledged Scotland’s strong performance.
Neufeld, with family ties to Steinbach, expressed the significance of playing in his hometown. He praised the new Southeast Event Centre, highlighting its impressive facilities that could attract more major events in the future. The communications director of the centre, Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, emphasized how the championship is benefiting Steinbach by drawing in new visitors.
Among the spectators is curling fan Billy Morton from Scotland, who traveled to Manitoba to support his friends and former teammates. The event has impressed Morton with its superior facilities compared to those in Scotland. In another match, Gimli’s Kerri Einarson led her team to victory against Japan’s Momoha Tabata.
The Players’ Championship will continue throughout the weekend, with the finals scheduled for Sunday. The event has brought attention to Steinbach and its new event centre, showcasing the city as a host for top-tier curling competitions.