A bid for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is going forward with support from the city.
During Tuesday’s Lethbridge City Council meeting, the vote was unanimous to provide a letter of support to the Lethbridge Curling Club along with $400,000 for the bid. Council approved splitting the funding, with $70,000 coming from the Major Community Events Grant and the remainder coming from the Municipal Revenue Stabilization Fund. Bids to host the event have to be in by September and Curling Canada is expected to announce the host city in January of next year.
Along with the city, the curling club has also received letters of support for the event from the ENMAX Centre, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, the Lethbridge Soccer Association and Servus Sports Centre, Tourism Lethbridge, the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ, Lethbridge Sport Council and Curling Alberta.
According to a release from the city there is no fee to bid for the event and no there would be no money exchanged until after the 2026 event.
“If the bid is unsuccessful, there is no financial impact for the City. City Administration has reviewed the Lethbridge Curling Club’s proposal and believes it is in alignment with the intent of the Major Community Event Hosting Policy.”
Curling Club General Manager Kirk Mearns says they are grateful for the city councils support.
“These events inject millions of dollars into the local economy, plus they create a sense of civic pride that contributes to our sharing common memories, emotions and beliefs with other people. They also help build the sport by attracting young people and new adult curlers, as well as inspire upcoming athletes in curling,” Mearns says.
If Lethbridge wins the bid, then the Scotties Tournament of Hearts will run from January 23rd to February 1st in 2026 at the ENMAX Centre and will include 18 women’s curling teams from across Canada. Of these teams, there will be at least two or three from Alberta.
