How to watch and who to watch at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in curling

The United States normally qualifies for a spot in the Olympic curling tournament during the spring before the Games, based on an accumulation of points gained at previous World Championships.

Not this cycle.

The top eight countries in points qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The American men’s team finished ninth while the women finished 10th, meaning the winners at this week’s U.S. Olympic Team Trials would not automatically earn trips to Italy in February.

That adds intrigue to the trials.

The men’s and women’s winners this week will have to compete with a handful of other countries in an Olympic Qualifying Event Dec. 6-18 in Kelowna, British Columbia. The top two teams there will get berths in the Olympic curling competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

But before Italy and before Canada, there’s Sioux Falls.

Tuesday through Sunday.

All matches will stream on Peacock during the week. The finals on Saturday and Sunday (if necessary) will also be shown on USA Network.

USA Curling is organizing watch parties at curling clubs across the country on Thursday at 7 p.m. Host clubs include those in Duluth, Two Harbors, Blaine, Rochester and Owatonna.

There are four men’s and four women’s teams playing in a double round-robin tournament on Tuesday through Thursday, with sessions starting at noon and 7 p.m. each day. The top two teams from each tournament then play in a best-of-three final series beginning Friday.

John Shuster, out of Duluth, is shooting for an astounding sixth Olympics but faces strong challengers in teams skipped by Korey Dropkin, also out of Duluth, and Danny Casper, out of Chaska.

Tabitha Peterson, of Eagan, is attempting to reach her third consecutive Olympics, which would be the second consecutive Olympics for her sister, Tara. Cory Thiesse of Duluth and Taylor Anderson-Heide, who lives in Minneapolis, round out the team.