For the first time since 1968, the Montana’s Brier, Canada’s premier men’s curling championship, returns to Kelowna, British Columbia, kicking off on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Prospera Place. The 2025 edition of the Brier, presented by AGI, promises to be a thrilling event, featuring 18 of the best men’s curling teams in the country competing for the coveted Brier Tankard.
The opening draw begins at 6:30 PM PT with four exciting matchups, including a clash between three-time defending champion Team Brad Gushue and Team Newfoundland and Labrador, skipped by Ty Dilello. The night will culminate with a free concert by Canadian rock legends 54•40 at the Original 16 Patch, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament.
Opening Draw Matchups
- Team Canada (Brad Gushue) vs. Team Newfoundland and Labrador (Ty Dilello)
- Team British Columbia (Cameron de Jong) vs. Team Manitoba (Reid Carruthers)
- Team Alberta (Kevin Koe) vs. Team Manitoba (Matt Dunstone)
- Team Northern Ontario (John Epping) vs. Team New Brunswick (James Grattan)
Tournament Format
The 18-team field is divided into two pools of nine, with each team playing an eight-game round robin within their pool. The top three teams from each pool will advance to the playoffs.
Playoff Structure
- March 7, 12:30 PM PT: Pool A’s first-place team faces Pool B’s second-place team, and Pool B’s first-place team faces Pool A’s second-place team. Winners advance to the Page 1-2 game, while losers face the third-place teams from each pool at 6:30 PM PT.
- March 8, 12:30 PM PT: Page 3-4 game.
- March 8, 6:30 PM PT: Page 1-2 game. The winner advances directly to the final, while the loser faces the Page 3-4 winner in the semifinal.
- March 9, 11:00 AM PT: Semifinal.
- March 9, 5:00 PM PT: Championship Final.
The winner will represent Canada at the 2025 BKT Tires World Men’s Curling Championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, from March 29 to April 6.
Key Teams to Watch
Pool A
- Team Canada (Brad Gushue): The three-time defending champions are chasing a record fourth consecutive Brier title.
- Team Manitoba (Matt Dunstone): The top-ranked team in Canada, led by Dunstone and bolstered by the addition of E.J. Harnden.
- Team Northern Ontario (John Epping): A strong contender with a new lineup and a history of success on tour.
- Team Alberta (Kevin Koe): A clutch performer with a knack for delivering under pressure.
Pool B
- Team Alberta (Brad Jacobs): A powerhouse team featuring Olympic gold medalists and multiple Brier champions.
- Team Saskatchewan (Mike McEwen): Last year’s runner-up, aiming to bring the Brier title back to Saskatchewan.
- Team Saskatchewan (Rylan Kleiter): A young, rising team making their Brier debut.
- Team Ontario (Sam Mooibroek): Another young squad looking to make an impact.
Tiebreaker Rules
In the event of a tie for playoff spots, head-to-head results will be the first tiebreaker. If the tie remains unresolved, Last-Shot Draw rankings will determine the final standings.
