About

World Curling is the world governing body of the Olympic winter sport of curling and the Paralympic winter sport of wheelchair curling. Originally founded in 1966 as the International Curling Federation, it changed its name to the World Curling Federation in 1990, then changed it’s name to World Curling in 2024.

Today, World Curling is managed by a Board, consisting of a President, two Vice-Presidents and six Directors, which includes the Athlete Commission Chair. They are elected by World Curling’s Member Associations and are supported by staff based at the Headquarters in Perth, Scotland and around the world.

Mission statement

To lead the worldwide curling community through the promotion and development of our sport, our culture and our values.

Vision

To make the world a better place by growing our sport and expanding our culture and values around the globe.

Spirit of Curling

The Spirit of Curling is a commonly used term in the sport. It refers to the respect curlers show, not only to one another, but also to the sport itself.

Curling is a game of skill and of tradition. A shot well executed is a delight to see and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honoured traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly.

Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach.

While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, The Spirit of Curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honourable conduct.

This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.

History of curling

The history of the ‘Roarin Game’ is believed to have originated in the 16th century as a pastime where stones were thrown across frozen lakes and ponds. From humble beginnings on frozen Scottish lochs to its elite Olympic and Paralympic status today, the World Curling Federation has become integral to the evolution of the sport.

Governance

Governance information and documents for World Curling.

Curling disciplines

There are three primary curling disciplines, these are team curling, mixed doubles curling and wheelchair curling.

The pinnacle of these disciplines are competitions in the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Each has a variety of world, regional and qualification events.

Rankings

The World Curling World Rankings track and list the success of all Member Associations. Points are awarded once per season, per discipline, while competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games earns additional points.

The World Team Rankings, administered by CurlingZone, ensures that all relevant competitive curling events in the world are eligible to earn team ranking points. Also, that there is a fair weighting of points distributed globally.

The world team ranking system differs significantly from the World Rankings. The primary difference is that the world team ranking system tracks individual teams, while the World Rankings track Member Associations.

Historical results

The historical results database is a comprehensive record of all international competition results stretching back to the very first Scotch Cup in 1959 and curling’s Olympic debut in 1924.

Hall of Fame and awards

The World Curling Hall of Fame is the highest non-playing honour that can be bestowed on someone and recognises outstanding contributions to curling.

In a season athletes win sportsmanship awards, voted for by their peers to recognise the curlers who best exemplify curling’s values during events. These awards are won at the World Junior, Wheelchair, Women’s and Men’s championships.

Publications

Each year World Curling publishes an Annual Review at its Annual General Assembly. In 2016 a commemorative 50th anniversary book was published.

Partners

World Curling works with the international sport marketing agency Infront to establish a portfolio of partners and suppliers for its events.

Job opportunities

World Curling and Member Association job vacancies are advertised here.

Stay in touch

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