Floor curling breaks barriers at MAGIC 2025

In June 2025, the first ever officially sanctioned World Floor Curling Event took place in Pamplona, Spain.

In collaboration with International Mixed Ability Sport (IMAS), World Curling partner Rock Solid Productions staged an exciting opportunity for floor curlers at the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament (IMART) and Mixed Ability Games, Inclusion and Co-Production 2025 (MAGIC). This event was open for athletes of all ages, skill levels and abilities.

Floor curling makes its MAGIC debut

The MAGIC Games were established to give athletes, with and without disabilities, the opportunity to compete together under one core principle: that everyone belongs in traditional sport. And on Thursday 26 June 2025, Mixed Ability Floor Curling was introduced to the event for the first time.

Athletes from Canada, Ireland and Spain took part, and for many, this was the first time they had played. But this inexperience didn’t matter, thanks to the sport’s simple set up, understandability and social aspect.

Aiden Lee, a member of team Super Ability Crew 1, representing Canada, said, “What I loved most was how everyone was included, whether they used a wheelchair, had a physical disability, spoke a different language, or were brand new to the sport.

“It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, everyone had a place on the floor”.

Joining Aiden was his partner Zoe Barnes, who had never played before March 2025. She said, “At first, I was a little hesitant, not understanding the sport.

“I even looked up ice curling videos, but floor curling is totally different. I loved playing it, and I would keep it for sure. It was a great teambuilding sport.”

Despite language barriers, floor curling gave everyone involved a way to communicate and make connections, whether that be through English, Spanish or just laughter. Zoe said, “After our first game, Aiden and I were on Google Translate trying to learn how to say ‘good game’ in Spanish. The teams really appreciated it.” 

Returning home with a new sport

The West Cork Jesters, a mixed-ability rugby club from Ireland, were one of the many teams involved in the event. Rugby and curling may seem like very different sports, but one thing they have in common is teamwork and communication. This may have been the first time the team ever played floor curling, but they now have plans to make it available to other athletes back home.

Claire Downey, a member of the West Cork Jesters, said, “It opened our eyes to how inclusive an activity it is!

“We realised that there are a lot of people in West Cork who would enjoy taking up floor curling, and for the West Cork Jesters, it could become an activity we could offer to those less able for the challenges of rugby.”

Everyone belongs in floor curling

An element that made the event such a success was how quickly athletes managed to understand the rules and confidently compete. Despite just one day of practice, participants were able to compete in the tournament the very next day.

“My son was delighted with the floor curling despite being pipped at the post into 4th place. He enjoyed the support to learn on Wednesday and the tournament on Thursday,” said Claire.

The sport also requires little equipment and physical exertion, making it perfect for schools, community centres and care homes.

World Curling and World Floor Curling are working hard to grow floor curling on a global scale, and thanks to its inclusive and accessible nature, the sport is gaining momentum.

People across the world are now being introduced to the sport, and it is growing in popularity rapidly in regions where ice is not readily available. In countries with ice access, floor curling is being used both as a training tool and a social sport played at competitive and recreational events.

Learn more about floor curling and how to get involved here.

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