The Ultimate Guide to the Curling Championships

Team Epping

The field is set and the countdown is now on.

Eighteen teams will descend on Cornwall on Monday, January 27th to challenge for the men’s and women’s provincial curling titles at the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships. On the line is a chance to represent southern Ontario at the Tim Hortons Brier in Kingston and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Moose Jaw, Sask.

The field of teams on both the men’s and women’s side feature a mix of veterans and rising stars, past champions and some household names in Glenn Howard, John Epping and Rachel Homan. Ten of the 18 teams are currently ranked in the top 30 of Curling Canada’s Canadian Team Ranking System (CTRS).

“Fans are in store for some really good curling and some great matches,” said skip Scott McDonald of Kingston’s Team McDonald, the reigning men’s champions.

We have prepared this handy guide to the championships to get you set for all of the action. Hurry hard and read on!

The Field

Here’s a breakdown of the teams coming to Cornwall:

Ontario Tankard (Men’s)
Team John Epping (Toronto) – Featuring Cornwall’s Mat Camm
Team Scott McDonald (Kingston) – Defending champions
Team Glenn Howard (Penetanguishene) – 4-time world and Brier champion
Team Pat Ferris (Grimbsy)
Team John Willsey (Kitchener)
Team Steve Allen (Ottawa)
Team Jason Camm (Rockland) – Featuring Mat Camm’s brother Jason
Team Mark Kean (Woodstock) – 2015 provincial champion
Team Matthew Hall (Kitchener)

Ontario Scotties Tournament of Hearts (Women’s)
Team Rachel Homan (Ottawa) – World champion, Olympians, defending champions
Team Jestyn Murphy (Mississauga)
Team Megan Balsdon (Woodstock)
Team Hollie Duncan (Toronto) – 2018 provincial champion
Team Susan Froud (Alliston)
Team Jacqueline Harrison (Mississauga)
Team Danielle Inglis (Mississauga)
Team Julie Hastings (Thornhill) – 2015 provincial champion
Team Chelsea Brandwood (St. Catharines)

What to expect

If you haven’t been to a live curling event, the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships is a great place to start.

The Cornwall Civic Complex will be the site of the competition, with the arena ice being transformed into four curling sheets for the weeklong event. The venue offers great sightlines to enjoy The Roaring Game.

Better yet, enjoy a drink in the ice-level beer patch and get right beside the action. The beer patch will be at the west end of the arena floor and it will spill into the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame on the lower level. You’ll be so close that you’ll be able to hear the teams strategizing and talking about their shots!

Draw schedule

There will be a total of 18 draws throughout the week, starting on Monday at 1 pm and continuing through Friday evening.

That will be followed by the Women’s Semi-Final on Saturday at 1 pm and the Final at 8 pm.

On the men’s side, the Semi-Final will take place Saturday at 4:30 pm with the Final set for Sunday at 1 pm.

To see the full schedule and draw times, click here: 2020 Ontario Curling Championship Draw Schedule

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships will take place Tuesday, January 28th at 7 pm. Be there as the teams are paraded in and the event is officially kicked off!

Opening Day Pass

Enjoy the opening day of the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships with an Opening Day Pass, available for just $15! Check out the afternoon and evening draws and scout out your favourite spot in the venue for the week ahead – all for one great price!

To purchase an Opening Day Pass online, please click here.

Please note additional service fees apply online.

Live entertainment

The beer patch will be the place to be on Friday night and Saturday night. Popular Glengarry performers The Hallions will provide the entertainment in the beer patch on Friday night while Nick Seguin will take the stage on Saturday night following the Womens Final. Stay for a drink after the game and enjoy some great tunes!

Ride for free

Hurry hard onto Cornwall Transit to enjoy the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships.

Transit will be offering free rides to residents attending the championships. Eventgoers can ride for free any time of the day by simply showing their event ticket or informing the driver that they are going to the event!

“We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to see the world-class talent that will be on display at the curling championships,” said Len Tapp, Transit Division Manager. “It also provides an easy transportation option for residents who want to enjoy the curling and a drink or two in the ice-level ‘beer patch’.”

Transit has a stop – on No. 3 Montreal – right in front of the adjoining Aquatic Centre, with stops at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour during the day. After 7:15 pm, the bus arrives 45 minutes after the hour. The last bus stop time is 10:45 pm.

For more information on Transit routes and schedules, please click here.

Get your tickets!

See world-class curling at a great price. Full tournament passes can be purchased for $140 while championship weekend passes are available for $75 and daily passes are on sale for $30.

Single draw passes will also be on sale for $12 (only at the door during the event).

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Civic Complex Box Office (100 Water Street East) from Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or by phone at 613-938-9400.

They can also be purchased online (please note additional service fees may apply).

Click here to purchase tickets online

Eat like a local

From casual to fine dining, local favourites to tastes from around the world, Cornwall has something for everyone. Check out one of our many great restaurants during your visit. There are numerous breakfast, lunch and dinner options available in Downtown Cornwall, just steps away from the Civic Complex.

Here’s more information for eating like a local in Cornwall.

Extend your stay!

Attending the 2020 Ontario Curling Championships? Make a night of it and stay in Cornwall! The city is home to a variety of amazing accommodations, from cozy bed and breakfasts to full-service hotels.

Some are offering preferred rates for visitors attending the championships so make sure to ask!

For more information please click here.

Visit Cornwall!

Do you have other questions? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 938-4748. You can also stop by the Cornwall Tourism office at the Cornwall Civic Complex (100 Water Street). The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – we would be happy to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations and information to make your visit to Cornwall even more memorable!

Things to do in Cornwall, ON.

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Article by Kevin Lajoie
www.CornwallTourism.com

Photo courtesy Team Epping