Canadian curling athletes are set to showcase new team uniforms on the global stage next year, as unveiled in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Curling Canada reveals that the uniforms, crafted by an artist from the northwestern Ontario city, draw inspiration from nature, Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, and the iconic Maple Leaf.
Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, expressed optimism that the Indigenous Peoples’ design element in the uniforms will encourage greater participation in curling. “You always want to provide those platforms so that people see themselves in your sport,” Thiessen conveyed to CBC Thunder Bay, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and openness within the sport.
The newly introduced uniforms are available in red, white, and black variations and will be exclusively worn in 2026 during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the World Women’s Curling Championship in Calgary, the World Men’s Curling Championship in Ogden, Utah, and the World Mixed Doubles Championship in Geneva.
The central theme of the uniforms revolves around a hummingbird image, symbolizing a four-year life cycle aligning with Canada’s high-performance athletes’ quadrennial planning for the Olympics and Paralympics. Shelby Gagnon, a multidisciplinary 2-Spirit Anishinaabe/Cree artist, collaborated with Regina-based designer Steph Schmidt on the final uniform design, incorporating symbolic elements from Indigenous culture and natural imagery.
Heather Houston, the 1989 world curling champion, expressed admiration for the uniforms, noting the artistic and inspiring qualities they possess. The collaborative effort between Gagnon, Schmidt, and the curling community aims to merge sport, culture, and art in a meaningful and visually striking manner.
Schmidt, reflecting on the collaboration, shared her enthusiasm as both a curler and designer for the opportunity to contribute to the unique design. Commercial versions of the uniforms will be available for purchase starting Nov. 22, coinciding with the 2025 Montana’s Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax and online on Curling Canada’s website.
