There were 10 teams that went out to compete for Olympic gold in the women's curling tournament at Milano Cortina 2026 but just two remain as Team Switzerland prepare to face Team Sweden in the final.
We take a look at the history of women’s Olympic curling, how it works, and the teams battling for the gold medal this time around.
Schedule
The final of the women's curling competition will be staged on Sunday, February 22, with the event starting at 05:05 ET (11:05 local time).
Venue
All curling events at Milano Cortina 2026 are being held at the Fiera Milano Rho Curling Centre, located in Milan, Italy.
The Fiera Milano Rho Curling Centre is a purpose-built arena for Olympic curling that has hosted international championships in previous years.
History of women’s Olympic curling
Women’s curling made its official Olympic debut back in 1998 at the Nagano Games
Since then, the sport has grown into a mainstay of the Winter Olympics, with rivalries growing between the likes of Canada, Sweden, Switzerland and Great Britain over the years..
Canada won the first gold in women's curling in Nagano and followed up 16 years later with another success at the 2014 Sochi Games.
Sweden have been a curling powerhouse as well, winning gold three times in 2006, 2010 and most recently 2018.
The reigning champions are Great Britain after Eve Muirhead guided her team to gold with a 10-3 win over Japan in the final at Beijing 2022.
How it works
A sport that originated in Scotland in the 16th century, the popularity of curling has grown significantly since it became an Olympic event in 1998.
Olympic curling is played on a 150-foot-long ice sheet. Teams of four take turns sliding granite stones toward a target which is referred to as the house.
The goal is to have your stones closest to the center, known as the button, after all 16 stones have been delivered.
Each game consists of 10 ends. Teams score points for stones closer to the button than the opponent's nearest stone.
Strategy in this sport includes placement, takeouts, guards and sweeping to control speed and curl.
The top four teams from the round-robin stage advance to the semifinals and winners then contest the gold medal match.
Team USA prospects
Canada and the USA fell short in the semi-finals and they will contest the bronze medal match.
Sweden, led by skipper Anna Hasselborg, came into this Games with strong Olympic experience and that has shown on their way to the final.
Seeing off Canada in the semis, Sweden now have Switzerland in their sights.
The Swiss beat the USA 7-4, with skipper Alina Patz producing an excellent display to overcome Tabitha Peterson’s team.
Losing to Sweden in the 2006 final in Turin, Switzerland will be hoping for revenge when they face the Scandinavians again on Sunday.
Read more betting picks and predictions for the Olympics on site.
Olympic Women's Curling Gold Medal Match Odds
Switzerland (W) | -125 |
Sweden (W) | -110 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time
