Photo: Immo Wegmann on Unsplashed.com

From the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Commissioner - September 15, 2025

The Iron Range will take center stage this fall when it hosts the U.S. Steel Pan Continental Curling Championships, Oct. 19-26. Forty teams from 25 countries are scheduled to compete for berths in the 2026 World Championships in Ogden, Utah (men’s), and Calgary, Alberta (women’s).

Two divisions, two venues

The A Division will be played at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, featuring the top eight men’s and women’s teams from the Americas and Pacific-Asia zones. Countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The B Division will be played at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, with 15 men’s and nine women’s teams. Nations represented include Brazil, Chinese Taipei, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Hong Kong China, India, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand.

Global spotlight

World Curling will televise and stream matches internationally, with broadcasts expected in Japan, Korea, and possibly China. Fans around the globe, including on the Range, will be able to watch via the WC Curling Channel.

Team USA

The United States will be represented by two Minnesota-based teams. On the men’s side, Team Shuster of Duluth will compete. The rink, led by Olympic gold medalist John Shuster, also includes Chris Plys, Matt Hamilton, Colin Hufman and alternate Danny Casper.

In the women’s division, Team Peterson of St. Paul will compete. The team features skip Tabitha Peterson along with Cory Thiesse, Tara Peterson, Taylor Anderson-Heide, and alternate Aileen Geving.

A historic return

The event will be the largest international curling competition in the region since Curl Mesabi hosted the 2007 World Junior Championships.

Tickets are available through USA Curling and the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. Volunteer opportunities will be announced soon by USA Curling and Curl Mesabi.