Denver Curling Club hosts competition April 16-20
By David Young
Curling is one of those obscure sports that most people think of every four years when it pops up at the Winter Olympics. However, the USA Curling Mixed Four National Championships is coming to Denver this spring, providing the Mile High City a chance to see some world-class curling in person.
From April 16-20, some of the best men and women curlers will come to the Mile High City to compete for an opportunity to advance to the World Mixed Championship, and ultimately, the 2026 Olympic trials.
The competition takes place at the Denver Curling Club and is the culmination of regional play-downs that are taking place this year across the country. The Denver championship narrows the field to the nation’s best four-person mixed team, composed of two women and two men.
“The Mixed Fours Nationals determines the country's best team, composed of two men and two women,” said USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “This championship celebrates both high-level competition and the social nature of our sport."
Curling is a sport where teams slide large granite stones along the ice toward a target while sweeping the ice to help direct the stone. Introduced to the Olympics in 1924, it’s thought that the game dates back to 1716 in Scotland. The 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina will host the U.S. Curling team.
Another Colorado connection for the event is Oskar Blues Brewery, the maker of Dale’s Pale Ale, which is the official beer sponsor of USA Curling this year. In honor of the event, the Colorado brewery is hosting its "Dale’s House” at major USA Curling Championship events across the country.
“We are stoked to enter into this new, national partnership and share a beer or three with the USA Curling community at events and tournaments around the country,” said Dale’s brand director Aaron Baker in a statement. “Red, white, and blue cans of Dale's and USA Curling go hand-in-hand, demonstrating a dedication to quality, a strong sense of community, and the joy of spirited competition. After all, it’s the winner who buys the first round. It's a perfect pairing that highlights camaraderie and the pursuit of a great time through sport and competition.”
Brewed in Lyons, Dale’s lineup of craft brews in a can such as Dale’s Pale Ale, Dale’s Light Lager and Dale’s Double IPA will be available for curling fans to imbibe this season while enjoying the top-tier curling competitions.
"It has been exciting to introduce the Dale's family of beers to the curling community, and it is a cultural fit that makes so much sense,” Gemmell said. "Curlers appreciate great beer, and like Dale's, we also enjoy spirited competition and the socializing that happens when enjoying a beverage with others. Dale's has quickly become the beer of choice at our championships and at Member Clubs across the country."
Tickets for the event are available online and all games will be available live and free on USA Curling partner Stadium Sports Network (SSN)—a link to the platform will also be on the USA Curling website.