The 2025 Montana’s Brier is poised to be one of the most exciting events in curling this year. As Canada’s premier men’s curling championship (the Brier) approaches its nearly 100th anniversary, fans are gearing up for top-tier competition in Kelowna. Below, we break down everything you need to know – from when and where it’s happening, to its rich history, the stars to watch on the ice, and how to tune in live.
Event Details: Dates, Location, Teams & Format
Dates & Location: The 2025 Montana’s Brier runs from February 28 to March 9, 2025. It will be hosted in Kelowna, British Columbia at the 6,886-seat Prospera Place arena, marking the first Brier in Kelowna since 1968
Participating Teams: The Brier features 18 teams from across Canada. As is tradition, Team Canada (the defending champions) gets an automatic berth – this year that’s Brad Gushue’s squad from Newfoundland & Labrador. In addition, each of Canada’s provinces and territories sends its men’s champion team, for a total of 14 regional representatives, all of whom earned their spot through provincial/territorial playdowns. Rounding out the field are three Wild Card teams – high-performing rinks that didn’t win their province but received berths based on national rankings. This format ensures that all of Canada’s top curling talent, from coast to coast and north to south, is represented at the Brier.
Competition Format
The 18 teams are divided into two pools of nine. Each team plays an eight-game round-robin within its pool. The top three teams from each pool advance to a six-team playoff. The Page playoff system then determines the finalists, with top-performing teams getting a second chance in case of a loss. The championship final on March 9 will crown the winner of the coveted Brier Tankard.
Historical Significance of the Brier
The Brier isn’t just another curling tournament – it’s an institution in Canadian sports. First held in 1927, the Brier has crowned the national men’s curling champion for nearly a century. Over generations, it has grown into Canada’s most famous and historic curling championship. Winning “The Brier Tankard” is considered the pinnacle of Canadian men’s curling, earning the champions the right to wear the Maple Leaf at the World Men’s Curling Championship
Origins and Trophy: The term “Brier” originally comes from a brand of tobacco – the event’s first sponsor, Macdonald Tobacco, made a popular pipe tobacco called "Brier." The company donated the original trophy, a silver Tankard, in 1927, complete with a heart-shaped plaque to engrave each year’s winning team. This heart motif gave rise to the tradition of the small purple heart crests that players wear on their jackets, symbolizing their status as provincial champions at the Brier
Players and Teams to Watch in 2025
With an elite field assembled, the 2025 Brier promises high drama and showcase performances from some of the world’s best curlers. Here are the key players/teams to watch as the competition unfolds:
Team Canada (Skip: Brad Gushue) – Defending Champions: All eyes will be on Brad Gushue and his St. John’s-based Team Canada rink as they attempt to extend their Brier dynasty. Gushue is a veteran skip and a three-time defending Brier champion (2022–2024). His lineup, which includes long-time vice Mark Nichols and lead Geoff Walker, has added former rival skip Brendan Bottcher at second this season, making for a star-studded team. While Team Gushue had some ups and downs on tour this year with the new lineup, they know how to peak at the Brier. Gushue’s clutch shot-making and calm leadership under pressure are legendary, and as the most decorated skip in Brier history (six titles so far), he’s accustomed to the target on his back.
Team Alberta – Kevin Koe – Veteran Champion Returns: Alberta’s champion this year is skipped by Kevin Koe, one of the most accomplished curlers of the past decade. Koe is a four-time Brier winner as skip (2010, 2014, 2016, 2019), and he’s back looking for a fifth title. His Calgary-based squad features an experienced lineup including vice-skip Aaron Sluchinski, two-time World Junior champion Tyler Tardi at second, and lead Karrick Martin (son of Kevin Martin) Koe is known for his clinical shot-making and ice-cold nerves in big games. After clinching yet another Alberta provincial title to qualify, he’ll be eager to prove he still has championship magic at age 49. Keep an eye on any matchup involving Team Alberta – Koe’s rivalry with Gushue in recent Briers is particularly intense, and a playoff showdown between them would be must-watch curling.
Team Alberta Wild Card – Brad Jacobs – New Team, Big Credentials: Interestingly, Alberta boasts two of the top contenders this year. Brad Jacobs, the 2014 Olympic gold medallist and long-time Northern Ontario skip, has assembled a new powerhouse team out of Calgary that earned a Wild Card entry.
Team Saskatchewan – Mike McEwen – Last Year’s Finalist: Representing Saskatchewan as a Wild Card entry is Mike McEwen, who nearly won it all last year. McEwen’s squad was the 2024 Brier runner-up, losing a close final to Gushue’s Team Canada. Now based in Saskatoon, the 43-year-old McEwen is a fan-favorite who’s still seeking that elusive first Brier title after many close calls.
Team Manitoba – Matt Dunstone & Reid Carruthers – Manitoba’s Double Threat: Manitoba comes in with two heavyweight teams: Team Dunstone and Team Carruthers. Winnipeg’s Matt Dunstone has been one of the hottest skips on tour; his young squad is currently ranked #1 in Canada on the points list.
Overall, the field is stacked with a mix of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers, which should make for an electric competition. The Brier often comes down to which team can best handle the pressure-cooker environment and master the ice conditions over the nine-day grind. By the end of the round robin, expect the top contenders – Gushue, Jacobs, McEwen, Dunstone, Koe, and perhaps a couple more – to separate themselves, but as past Briers have shown, anything can happen in the playoffs. That unpredictability is part of what makes the Brier so special.
Broadcasting and Streaming Options: How to Watch the 2025 Brier
TSN holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the Brier in Canada.. TSN will be providing comprehensive live coverage of the Montana’s Brier across its channels throughout the event, from the opening draw on Feb. 28 right through to the championship final on March 9. Check TSN’s schedule for specific channel designations for each draw.
Conclusion
All the ingredients are in place for a classic Brier: a field of outstanding teams, a knowledgeable and lively crowd, and high stakes including not just national glory but also a berth in the World Championship for the winners (and even implications for Olympic Trials qualification). If you’re an SEO-savvy reader or a curling fan who found this article, make sure to use these details to follow along with the Montana’s Brier 2025. The phrase “Hurry Hard!” will echo through Prospera Place as Canada’s best curlers vie for the coveted Tankard. Don’t miss the excitement starting February 28 – this Brier is set to rock the house in more ways than one!
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