Curling fans, rejoice! As the ice thaws across much of the globe, the spotlight shines brightly on Toronto, Canada, where the final chapter of the 2023-2024 season unfolds. From April 9th to 14th, the prestigious Princess Auto Players’ Championship takes center stage, marking the culmination of the Grand Slam of Curling series. This isn’t just any tournament; it’s a prestigious showdown featuring the crème de la crème of the curling world – the top 12 men’s and women’s teams vying for glory and a coveted share of the $175,000 purse.
The Mattamy Athletic Centre transforms into a curling mecca, buzzing with anticipation. Seasoned veterans, hungry for another championship title, square off against rising stars eager to etch their names in curling history. Strategic minds clash, crafting meticulous plays that send stones gliding gracefully down the ice. Every shot holds the potential to shift momentum, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats as teams execute breathtaking displays of precision and athleticism.
This year’s Princess Auto Players’ Championship holds a special significance. It serves as a grand finale, a chance to witness the culmination of months of grueling competition and strategic maneuvering. Will familiar champions reign supreme, etching their dominance on the season’s final chapter? Or will a surprise contender rise to the occasion, leaving the crowd roaring with a new champion’s name?
Beyond the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, the Princess Auto Players’ Championship fosters a sense of community. Curling enthusiasts from across the globe gather to celebrate their shared passion for the sport. Whether decked out in team colors or sporting neutral enthusiasm, the shared love for the game creates a vibrant atmosphere. From pre-game jitters to post-game camaraderie, the tournament fosters a spirit of sportsmanship and shared appreciation for the intricate beauty of curling.
How to Watch the Princess Auto Players’ Championship Live (2024)
The world’s best curlers descend upon Toronto, Canada, for the prestigious Princess Auto Players’ Championship, taking place from April 9th to 14th, 2024. This Grand Slam event marks the thrilling conclusion of the curling season, with the top 12 men’s and women’s teams battling it out for a share of the $175,000 purse and the coveted championship title. But how can you catch all the action, no matter where you are in the world? Here’s your guide to watching the Princess Auto Players’ Championship live:
For Curling Fans in Canada:
- Catch the Drama on TV: Tune in to Sportsnet or Sportsnet+ for live coverage throughout the tournament. These channels will showcase the most exciting games and provide expert commentary.
- Stream It Online: Sportsnet Now, the streaming service from Sportsnet, offers live broadcasts of the Princess Auto Players’ Championship. A subscription is required, but it grants you access to all the curling action without cable.
For Curling Enthusiasts in the USA:
- Limited TV Coverage: Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed live TV broadcast of the Princess Auto Players’ Championship in the USA. However, some local channels might pick up specific games. It’s recommended to check local listings closer to the event dates.
- Streaming is Your Best Bet: GSOC Live, the official streaming platform for the Grand Slam of Curling events, offers live broadcasts of the entire Princess Auto Players’ Championship. A subscription fee applies, but it provides access to all draws and the convenience of watching from any device.
For Curling Fans Around the Globe (Excluding Canada and USA):
- GSOC Live Takes the Lead: GSOC Live is your best option for watching the Princess Auto Players’ Championship live outside of Canada and the USA. This platform offers global streaming with commentary, ensuring you don’t miss a single shot. A subscription fee applies.
A Look Ahead at the 2024 Princess Auto Players’ Championship
The curling season prepares to draw its curtain in Toronto, Canada, as the prestigious Princess Auto Players’ Championship takes center stage from April 9th to 14th, 2024. This Grand Slam event, the final chapter of the 2023-2024 season, brings together the curling elite – the top 12 men’s and women’s teams in the world – for a week of high-stakes competition and a chance to claim a share of the $480,000 purse.
A Battle for Glory and Ranking Points:
The Princess Auto Players’ Championship isn’t just about crowning champions. It’s a crucial battleground for valuable ranking points that determine Grand Slam invites for the following season. Teams arrive with a hunger to not only win the coveted title but also secure their positions in the upcoming curling calendar. This blend of prestige and strategic importance adds an extra layer of intensity to the already electrifying atmosphere.
Farewell to a Legend:
This year’s championship carries an air of bittersweet nostalgia. Curling icon Jennifer Jones, a six-time Princess Auto Players’ Champion and Olympic gold medalist, announced her retirement from competitive women’s curling after this season. All eyes will be on Jones as she aims for a fairytale ending, a final championship victory to cap off her illustrious career. Will she rewrite history and become a seven-time champion, or will the torch be passed to a new generation of curling stars?
New Faces, Familiar Threats:
While Jones’ potential farewell adds a sentimental element, the women’s field is stacked with formidable contenders. Rachel Homan boasts a remarkable 62-6 record this season, a testament to her team’s dominance. Kerri Einarson, the reigning World Champion, will be eager to add another prestigious title to her collection. Meanwhile, rising stars like Team Gim and Team Hasselborg look to make a statement and disrupt the established order.
A Men’s Field Poised for Upsets:
The men’s competition promises to be equally thrilling. Brad Gushue, fresh off his victory at the Montana’s Brier, leads a field filled with potential champions. Reigning Olympic and World Champion Bruce Mouat aims to solidify his position at the top, while veterans like Kevin Koe and Niklas Edin are always threats to claim victory. However, teams like Team Dunstone and Team Matt McEwen could pull off upsets, injecting an element of unpredictability into the tournament.
More Than Just a Curling Competition:
The Princess Auto Players’ Championship is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of curling. Fans will witness strategic brilliance unfold as teams make breathtaking shots, leaving the crowd in awe. The Mattamy Athletic Centre will transform into a curling haven, buzzing with energy and anticipation. From pre-game nerves to post-game camaraderie, the tournament fosters a spirit of sportsmanship and a shared passion for the sport that transcends borders.
Princess Auto Players Championship Schedule and Dates
This Grand Slam event features the top 12 men’s and women’s teams in the world, all vying for the coveted championship title and a share of the $175,000 purse.
Curling Fans Rejoice! Plan Your Viewing with this Table:
Here’s a breakdown of the Princess Auto Players’ Championship schedule, with times listed in both Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT):
| Date/Time (ET) | Draw | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 9 | |||||
| 11:30 a.m. | 1 | Whyte vs. Craik | Jones vs. Wrana | Mouat vs. Carruthers | Kim vs. X. Schwaller |
| 3 p.m. | 2 | Y. Schwaller vs. Dunstone | Homan vs. Constantini | Bottcher vs. Koe | Gim vs. Einarson |
| 6:30 p.m. | 3 | Retornaz vs. McEwen | Hasselborg vs. Fujisawa | Gushue vs. Edin | Tirinzoni vs. Lawes |
| Wednesday, April 10 | |||||
| 8 a.m. | 4 | Koe vs. Carruthers | Einarson vs. X. Schwaller | Y. Schwaller vs. Craik | Jones vs. Constantini |
| 11:30 a.m. | 5 | Mouat vs. Gushue | Tirinzoni vs. Kim | Retornaz vs. Dunstone | Wrana vs. Fujisawa |
| 3:30 p.m. | 6 | Bottcher vs. Edin | Gim vs. Lawes | Whyte vs. McEwen | Homan vs. Hasselborg |
| 7:30 p.m. | 7 | Jones vs. Fujisawa | Gushue vs. Carruthers | Tirinzoni vs. X. Schwaller | Retornaz vs. Y. Schwaller |
| Thursday, April 11 | |||||
| 8 a.m. | 8 | Whyte vs. Dunstone | Homan vs. Wrana | Bottcher vs. Mouat | Gim vs. Kim |
| 11:30 a.m. | 9 | Tirinzoni vs. Einarson | Retornaz vs. Craik | Fujisawa vs. Constantini | Gushue vs. Koe |
| 3:30 p.m. | 10 | Kim vs. Lawes | Dunstone vs. McEwen | Hasselborg vs. Wrana | Mouat vs. Edin |
| 7:30 p.m. | 11 | Gim vs. X. Schwaller | Whyte vs. Y. Schwaller | Homan vs. Jones | Bottcher vs. Carruthers |
| Friday, April 12 | |||||
| 7:30 a.m. | 12 | McEwen vs. Craik | Einarson vs. Lawes | Edin vs. Koe | Hasselborg vs. Constantini |
| 11 a.m. | 13 | Homan vs. Fujisawa | Bottcher vs. Gushue | Tirinzoni vs. Gim | Retornaz vs. Whyte |
| 3 p.m. | 14 | Wrana vs. Constantini | Mouat vs. Koe | Kim vs. Einarson | Dunstone vs. Craik |
| 7 p.m. | 15 | Jones vs. Hasselborg | Edin vs. Carruthers | Lawes vs. X. Schwaller | Y. Schwaller vs. McEwen |
| Saturday, April 13 | |||||
| 11:30 a.m. | 16 | Tiebreakers (if necessary) | or Quarterfinals | ||
| 3:30 p.m. | 17 | Quarterfinals | |||
| 7:30 p.m. | 18 | Semifinals | |||
| Sunday, April 14 | |||||
| 10 a.m. | 19 | Women’s | Final | ||
| 2:30 p.m. | 20 | Men’s | Final |
Note: This schedule is subject to change.
Princess Auto Players Championship Format
The Princess Auto Players’ Championship utilizes a round-robin format for the initial phase. Here’s how it works:
- The Teams: Twelve elite teams, six in each the men’s and women’s divisions, participate. These teams are selected based on the World Curling Federation (WCF) World Ranking System, ensuring the presence of the best curlers in the world.
- Pool Play: The teams are divided into two pools of six each. Each team plays all the other teams in their pool once, resulting in a total of five games per team.
- Ranking and Seeding: Wins and losses determine the teams’ ranking within their pool. The top three teams from each pool, based on their win-loss record, advance to the playoffs.
Playoffs: A Battle for Supremacy
Following the round-robin stage, the top six teams (three from each pool) progress to a single-elimination playoff bracket. Here’s what unfolds:
- Seeding Advantage: The teams with the best records from each pool earn a bye directly to the semifinals. This seeding advantage rewards consistent performance throughout the round robin.
- Quarterfinals: The remaining four teams (second and third-place finishers from each pool) battle it out in the quarterfinals.
- Semifinals and Finals: Winners from the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals. The victors of the semifinals then meet in the championship game to determine the Princess Auto Players’ Champions.
Tiebreakers: When Records Collide
In a scenario where teams finish the round-robin stage with identical win-loss records, a draw-to-the-button shootout is used as a tiebreaker. This thrilling format involves teams throwing stones towards the center of the house (the button) with the closest rock to the button after a set number of throws determining the winner.
A Championship Built on Strategy and Skill:
The Princess Auto Players’ Championship format offers a compelling balance between strategy and skill. The round-robin stage allows teams to showcase their consistency and adaptability against various opponents. The single-elimination playoffs, on the other hand, create a high-pressure environment where every game carries immense weight.
Who to Watch at the 2024 Princess Auto Players’ Championship
The ice awaits! As the 2023-2024 curling season approaches its climax, the prestigious Princess Auto Players’ Championship in Toronto, Canada, takes center stage from April 9th to 14th, 2024. This Grand Slam event boasts the top 12 men’s and women’s teams in the world, all vying for glory and a share of the $175,000 purse. But with so much curling royalty on display, who should be on your radar? Here are some of the teams and players to keep an eye on:
Established Dominance:
- Men’s: Look out for the familiar faces who have consistently ruled the sport. Brad Gushue, fresh off his victory at the Montana’s Brier, leads a formidable team known for their strategic brilliance and clutch shot-making. Reigning Olympic and World Champion Bruce Mouat aims to solidify his position at the top, while veterans like Kevin Koe and Niklas Edin are always threats to claim victory.
- Women’s: The question on everyone’s mind – will curling legend Jennifer Jones rewrite history? This year’s Princess Auto Players’ Championship could be her final competitive hurrah, and all eyes will be on her as she aims for a fairytale ending – a seventh championship title to cap off her illustrious career. However, established powerhouses like Rachel Homan and Kerri Einarson won’t relinquish their positions easily.
Rising Stars Poised to Shine:
- Men’s: While the veterans command respect, don’t underestimate the hunger of younger teams. Matt Dunstone’s squad has been steadily climbing the ranks, and their strategic prowess could pose a serious threat to the established order. Team Matt McEwen, known for their aggressive style and powerful throws, could also make a splash in the playoffs.
- Women’s: The women’s field is brimming with young talent eager to make their mark. Keep an eye on Team Gim, a rising Korean force known for their innovative plays and precision shots. Team Hasselborg, led by the charismatic Anna Hasselborg, brings a youthful energy and a hunger for victory that could disrupt the traditional contenders.
Farewell to a Legend:
As mentioned earlier, the 2024 Princess Auto Players’ Championship carries a special significance for Jennifer Jones. This curling icon has captivated audiences for years with her strategic mind and clutch throws. Whether she finishes her career on a high note or not, her presence at the tournament is a chance to witness a legend in action and celebrate her remarkable contributions to the sport.
Beyond the Champions:
The Princess Auto Players’ Championship isn’t just about established stars and rising contenders. It’s a showcase for exceptional curling and captivating storylines. Watch for international rivalries, strategic battles on the ice, and the camaraderie that binds the curling community.
