Compact Slam schedule and Rock League campaign make for an unusual curling season

Curling is experiencing a groundbreaking season due to the Compact Slam schedule and Rock League campaign. This new format features five Grand Slam events compressed into a two-month period, deviating from the typical six-month schedule. The Rock League pro circuit will run for a month, starting in January, followed by an 11-day playoff in April. With mixed doubles events included, the curling calendar becomes quite busy.

David Murdoch, Curling Canada's high-performance executive director, remains optimistic about the new format, saying, "Let's just see how we could play this out..." Despite some challenges, such as qualification for national events and conflicts with provincial playdowns, Murdoch believes solutions will emerge. Several top athletes from the national women's, men's, and mixed doubles teams are expected to participate in Rock League.

Curling Canada recently announced the national team selections, and there have been changes in coaching roles. Scott Pfeifer has taken on the men's program manager position, while Jeff Stoughton now oversees the mixed doubles program. Viktor Kjell continues as the women's program manager.

The CBC, which previously aired Rock League's first season, has secured a five-year deal to broadcast the sport, filling a void left by the NHL's broadcasting rights. The agreement also extends to CBC Gem, ensuring viewers have access to curling content on both platforms. ESPN has also inked a three-year deal, making the sport available to American audiences via ESPN+.

Production issues marred the debut of Rock League, leading to a shift in the season's format. The CBC, formerly a Sportsnet exclusive, will now share the broadcasting responsibilities with The Curling Group. While the new schedule may present challenges for players, the overall impact remains to be seen, as the season unfolds.