Players' Championship

The Players' Championship is one of the final events on the World Curling Tour (WCT) and is a part of the Grand Slam of Curling.

For other uses, see Players Championship (disambiguation).
Players' Championship
Established1993
2023 host cityToronto, Ontario
2023 arenaMattamy Athletic Centre
PurseCAD $175,000
Current champions (2022)
MenAlberta Kevin Koe
WomenSweden Isabella Wranå
Current edition
Grand Slam of Curling events

From 2016 to 2019, it was the penultimate slam of the curling season, and the last of the four "majors".[1] The event was one of the original Grand Slam events when they were instituted in the 2001–02 season for men and for the 2006–07 season for women.

History

The event began as the "VO Cup" before the Grand Slam era in 1993, as part of the very first World Curling Tour season.[2] The event was known as the VO Cup for two seasons before title sponsor Seagram's Distillery pulled out.[3] With no sponsor, the 1995 event was saved at the last minute, and continued the next season thanks to a TV deal with TSN.[4]

A women's event was introduced in 2006.[5]

From 2007 to 2009, it was a qualifying tournament for the Canadian Olympic Curling Trials, and had barred foreign teams from entering (unlike the other Slams). Scotland's Eve Muirhead became the first non-Canadian skip to win the event in 2013, while Sweden's Niklas Edin became the first non Canadian skip to win the men's event in 2017.

To date, Edmonton's Kevin Martin has won the most Players' Championships with 8. On the women's side, Winnipeg's Jennifer Jones (and her long-time second, Jill Officer) have won the most championships with 6.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both the 2020 Players' Championship and the 2020 Champions Cup were cancelled.[6]

Qualification

The top 12 teams on the men's and women's WCT year-to-date rankings respectively qualify for the event. Teams that decline their invitations are replaced by the next highest ranked team.[7]

Format

In 2023 and from 2014 to 2021, the event featured 12 teams split into two pools of six which compete in a round robin, with the top six teams advancing to a single game elimination playoff. In 2021, the number of teams earning playoff berths was reduced from eight.[8][9] The 2022 event was a triple knockout.

Past champions

Men
YearWinning teamRunner-up teamLocationPurse
1993Ontario Russ Howard, Glenn Howard, Wayne Middaugh, Peter CornerOntario Paul Savage, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Todd Tsukamoto[10]Calgary, Alberta$120,000[11]
1994Alberta Kevin Martin, Kevin Park, James Pahl, Don BartlettOntario Ed Werenich, John Kawaja, Pat Perroud, Neil HarrisonCalgary, Alberta$100,000[12]
1995 (Apr.)Saskatchewan Murray McEachern, Rick Schneider, Daryl Nixon, Larry SchneiderSaskatchewan Brad Heidt, Mark Dacey, Wayne Charteris, Dan OrmsbySelkirk, Manitoba$75,000[3]
1995 (Dec.)Ontario Wayne Middaugh, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Scott BaileyManitoba Dale Duguid, Dan Carey, Russ Hayes, Doug ArmstrongJasper, Alberta$106,000[4]
1997Ontario Russ Howard, Glenn Howard, Scott Patterson, Phil LoevenmarkSaskatchewan Randy Woytowich, Rick Schneider, Brian McCusker, John Grundy[13]Winnipeg, Manitoba$60,000[14]
1998Alberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Rudy Ramcharan, Marcel RocqueManitoba Vic Peters, Dave Smith, Chris Neufeld, Don Harvey[15]Fort McMurray, Alberta$60,000[16]
1999Ontario Wayne Middaugh, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Scott BaileyOntario Russ Howard, Glenn Howard, Peter Corner, Neil HarrisonWinnipeg, Manitoba$150,000[17]
2000Alberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Don BartlettOntario Wayne Middaugh, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Scott BaileyWinnipeg, Manitoba$150,000[18]
2001Ontario Wayne Middaugh, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Scott BaileyAlberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Don BartlettCalgary, Alberta$150,000[19]
2002Ontario Wayne Middaugh, Graeme McCarrel, Ian Tetley, Scott BaileyManitoba Vic Peters, Mark Olson, Chris Neufeld, Steve GouldStrathroy, Ontario$150,000
2003Manitoba Jeff Stoughton, Jon Mead, Gary Van Den Berghe, Jim SpencerOntario John Morris, Joe Frans, Brent Laing, Craig SavillLeduc, Alberta$150,000
2004Alberta John Morris, Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy, Paul MoffattAlberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Don BartlettSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador$150,000
2005Alberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Don BartlettNewfoundland and Labrador Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Mike Adam, Jamie KorabSt. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador$150,000
2006Alberta Randy Ferbey, David Nedohin, Scott Pfeifer, Marcel RocqueAlberta Kevin Martin, Don Walchuk, Carter Rycroft, Adam EnrightCalgary, Alberta$150,000[20]
2007Alberta Kevin Martin, John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben HebertAlberta Blake MacDonald, Kevin Park, Carter Rycroft, Nolan ThiessenCalgary, Alberta$100,000
2008Ontario Glenn Howard, Richard Hart, Brent Laing, Craig SavillAlberta Kevin Martin, John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben HebertSt. John's, Newfoundland$100,000
2009Alberta Randy Ferbey, David Nedohin, Scott Pfeifer, Marcel RocqueOntario Glenn Howard, Richard Hart, Brent Laing, Craig SavillGrande Prairie, Alberta$100,000
2010Alberta Kevin Martin, John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben HebertNewfoundland and Labrador Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Ryan Fry, Jamie KorabDawson Creek, British Columbia$100,000
2011Alberta Kevin Martin, John Morris, Marc Kennedy, Ben HebertSweden Niklas Edin, Sebastian Kraupp, Fredrik Lindberg, Viktor KjällGrande Prairie, Alberta$100,000
2012Ontario John Epping, Scott Bailey, Scott Howard, David MathersOntario Glenn Howard, Wayne Middaugh, Brent Laing, Craig SavillSummerside, Prince Edward Island$100,000
2013Ontario Glenn Howard, Wayne Middaugh, Brent Laing, Craig SavillManitoba Mike McEwen, B. J. Neufeld, Matt Wozniak, Denni NeufeldToronto, Ontario$100,000
2014Alberta Kevin Martin, Marc Kennedy, David Nedohin, Ben HebertOntario Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E. J. Harnden, Ryan HarndenSummerside, Prince Edward Island$100,000
2015Ontario Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E. J. Harnden, Ryan HarndenManitoba Mike McEwen, B. J. Neufeld, Matt Wozniak, Denni NeufeldToronto, Ontario$100,000
2016Newfoundland and Labrador Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant, Geoff WalkerOntario Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E. J. Harnden, Ryan HarndenToronto, Ontario$100,000
2017Sweden Niklas Edin, Oskar Eriksson, Rasmus Wranå, Christoffer SundgrenManitoba Mike McEwen, B. J. Neufeld, Matt Wozniak, Denni NeufeldToronto, Ontario$150,000
2018Alberta Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy, Brent Laing, Ben HebertSweden Niklas Edin, Oskar Eriksson, Rasmus Wranå, Christoffer SundgrenToronto, Ontario$150,000
2019Alberta Brendan Bottcher, Darren Moulding, Brad Thiessen, Karrick MartinAlberta Kevin Koe, B. J. Neufeld, Colton Flasch, Ben HebertToronto, Ontario$150,000
2020Cancelled[6]
2021Scotland Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, Hammy McMillan Jr.Newfoundland and Labrador Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant, Geoff WalkerCalgary, Alberta[21]$175,000
2022Scotland Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Bobby Lammie, Hammy McMillan Jr.Sweden Niklas Edin, Oskar Eriksson, Rasmus Wranå (3 player team)Toronto, Ontario$175,000
2023Alberta Kevin Koe, Tyler Tardi, Brad Thiessen, Karrick MartinSwitzerland Benoît Schwarz (Fourth), Yannick Schwaller (Skip), Sven Michel, Pablo LachatToronto, Ontario$175,000

Women
YearWinning teamRunner-up teamLocationPurse
2006Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer, Georgina WheatcroftAlberta Cheryl Bernard, Susan O'Connor, Carolyn Darbyshire, Cori BartelCalgary, Alberta$100,000[20]
2007Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer, Dawn AskinBritish Columbia Kelly Scott, Jeanna Schraeder, Sasha Carter, Renee SimonsCalgary, Alberta$100,000
2008Saskatchewan Amber Holland, Kim Schneider, Tammy Schneider, Heather SeeleyOntario Krista McCarville, Tara George, Kari MacLean-Kraft, Lorraine LangSt. John's, Newfoundland$100,000
2009Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer, Dawn AskinAlberta Shannon Kleibrink, Amy Nixon, Bronwen Webster, Chelsey BellGrande Prairie, Alberta$100,000
2010Alberta Cheryl Bernard, Susan O'Connor, Carolyn Darbyshire, Cori BartelAlberta Crystal Webster, Lori Olson-Johns, Samantha Preston, Stephanie MalekoffDawson Creek, British Columbia$100,000
2011Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn AskinOntario Rachel Homan, Emma Miskew, Alison Kreviazuk, Lisa WeagleGrande Prairie, Alberta$100,000
2012Saskatchewan Stefanie Lawton, Sherry Anderson, Sherri Singler, Marliese KasnerManitoba Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jenna Loder, Ashley Howard, Breanne MeakinSummerside, Prince Edward Island$100,000
2013Scotland Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire HamiltonSweden Margaretha Sigfridsson, Maria Prytz, Christina Bertrup, Maria WennerströmToronto, Ontario$100,000
2014Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwenOntario Rachel Homan, Emma Miskew, Alison Kreviazuk, Lisa WeagleSummerside, Prince Edward Island$100,000
2015Scotland Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Sarah ReidRussia Anna Sidorova, Margarita Fomina, Alexandra Saitova, Ekaterina GalkinaToronto, Ontario$100,000
2016Scotland Eve Muirhead, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Vicki Adams, Sarah ReidManitoba Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwenToronto, Ontario$100,000
2017Manitoba Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwenAlberta Val Sweeting, Lori Olson-Johns, Dana Ferguson, Rachelle BrownToronto, Ontario$150,000
2018United States Jamie Sinclair, Alex Carlson, Vicky Persinger, Monica WalkerManitoba Jennifer Jones, Kaitlyn Lawes, Jill Officer, Dawn McEwenToronto, Ontario$150,000
2019Manitoba Kerri Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Briane MeilleurSweden Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, Agnes Knochenhauer, Sofia MabergsToronto, Ontario$150,000
2020Cancelled[6]
2021Manitoba Kerri Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Briane MeilleurOntario Rachel Homan, Emma Miskew, Sarah Wilkes, Joanne CourtneyCalgary, Alberta[21]$175,000
2022Sweden Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, Agnes Knochenhauer, Sofia MabergsManitoba Kerri Einarson, Val Sweeting, Shannon Birchard, Briane MeilleurToronto, Ontario$175,000
2023Sweden Isabella Wranå, Almida de Val, Maria Larsson, Linda StenlundSwitzerland Alina Pätz (Fourth), Silvana Tirinzoni (Skip), Carole Howald, Briar Schwaller-HürlimannToronto, Ontario$175,000

References
  1. "Gushue, Homan headline field for Players' Championship". www.thegrandslamofcurling.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-23.
  2. "8 Ends: Players' Championship set for special 25th anniversary". www.thegrandslamofcurling.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-15.
  3. "WCT title 'spiel at crossroads". Regina Leader-Post. March 30, 1995. p. C5. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  4. "World Curling Tour on verge of big break". Edmonton Journal. December 9, 1995. p. D5. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  5. "About the Players' Championship - Grand Slam of Curling". www.thegrandslamofcurling.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-11.
  6. "GSOC cancels remaining events of 2019–20 season". Grand Slam of Curling. Grand Slam of Curling. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  7. "Qualification for the Players' Championship - Grand Slam of Curling". www.thegrandslamofcurling.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-11.
  8. "Format and Qualification".
  9. "Format for the Players' Championship - Grand Slam of Curling". www.thegrandslamofcurling.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-11.
  10. "Savage en route again to championship battle". Calgary Herald. February 21, 1993. p. F1. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  11. "Icy Jackpot". Calgary Herald. February 22, 1993. p. C1. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  12. "Rivalry Takes Road". Calgary Herald. March 26, 1994. p. C4. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. "Howard heading off to Olympic trials". Regina Leader-Post. March 24, 1997. p. F2. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  14. "Local Scene". Regina Leader-Post. March 21, 1997. p. C4. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  15. "Peters positive". Winnipeg Sun. March 30, 1998. p. 42. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  16. "Martin wins World Tour championship". Red Deer Advocate. March 30, 1998. p. A8. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  17. "B.C.'s trio has just one win after four draws". Vancouver Sun. March 18, 1999. p. F5. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  18. "Top guns shot down at world curling tourney". Edmonton Journal. March 18, 2000. p. D5. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  19. "In the hack..." Calgary Herald. March 21, 2001. p. E5. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  20. "Players' Championship title toughest to get your hands on". Calgary Herald. April 13, 2006. p. F3. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  21. Brazeau, Jonathan (December 3, 2020). "GSOC looking to hold 2 events in proposed Calgary curling bubble". Retrieved December 3, 2020.
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