Grand Slam of Curling returning to Thunder Bay in December
Thunder Bay will host the GSOC Open from Dec. 1 to 6 at Fort William Gardens, bringing many of the world’s top men’s and women’s curling teams back to the city. The event is a major sports story locally because it puts Thunder Bay back on the Grand Slam calendar and is expected to deliver both high-level competition and an economic boost during the winter tourism season.
Elite curling set for six-day stop at Fort William Gardens
The GSOC Open is part of the newly announced 2026 Grand Slam of Curling season and will be the fourth stop on the five-event national tour.
Organizers say the Thunder Bay event will feature 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams from Canada and around the world competing for Grand Slam titles in front of local fans. More details on participating teams and the full event schedule are expected in the coming months.
Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group, said bringing the event back to Thunder Bay was an easy decision.
“This is a community that truly understands and embraces elite sporting events,” Sulsky said. “The knowledge, the energy, and the appreciation for high-performance curling in this community make Thunder Bay a special stop for our athletes.”
Why the event matters for Thunder Bay
For Thunder Bay, the return of the Grand Slam is about more than curling.
Major sports events continue to play an important role in the city’s tourism and hospitality economy, especially during the winter months when attracting visitors can help fill hotels, restaurants and other local businesses. The event also gives Thunder Bay another opportunity to showcase itself nationally and internationally as a host city for major competitions.
Tourism Thunder Bay manager Paul Pepe said sport tourism remains an important economic and social driver for the city.
“Sport tourism is a major economic and social contributor to Thunder Bay, and attracting more events to the city, particularly in the winter months, aligns with the new CEDC strategic plan to grow Thunder Bay into a true year-round visitor destination,” Pepe said.
He added that the Grand Slam of Curling brings athletes from around the world and also provides media exposure that can raise Thunder Bay’s profile with future visitors and event organizers.
Curling history runs deep in Thunder Bay
The announcement is likely to resonate strongly with local fans in a city with a long and deep connection to curling.
Thunder Bay has long been regarded as one of Canada’s strongest curling communities, producing top-level competitors and drawing knowledgeable crowds. That background helps explain why the city remains an attractive stop for premier events.
The last Grand Slam of Curling event held in Thunder Bay took place in 2018 at the Tournament Centre. This time, Fort William Gardens will serve as the stage for the event’s return.
Tickets now on sale
Early-bird full-event passes and weekend passes went on sale Tuesday through the Fort William Gardens box office.
Organizers say Thunder Bay is one of five stops announced for the 2026 Grand Slam of Curling season. Additional event details, including teams and draw times, are expected closer to the competition.
For local curling fans, the key takeaway is clear: one of the sport’s top tours is coming back to Thunder Bay, and the city will once again have a chance to host world-class competition on home ice.
