Last Updated on: 9th March 2025, 10:51 pm
The 2025 Montana’s Brier Final, Canada’s premier curling championship, kicks off this weekend in Saskatchewan, showcasing 18 elite teams vying for national glory. Beyond a substantial cash prize, the tournament offers the champion a direct berth to the World Men’s Curling Championship, raising the stakes for both participants and fans.
The competition features 14 teams that secured their spots through provincial and territorial qualifiers, alongside defending champions Team Canada and three wild card entries. Brad Gushue’s Team Canada returns to defend their title after clinching victory at the 2024 Brier.
How to Watch
- Broadcast:Â TSN holds exclusive Canadian rights, with live coverage across its networks.
- Streamings:Â TSN Direct and Curling World provide live streams for on-the-go viewing.
- International: Available via Curling World’s OTT platform or regional broadcasters, depending on local rights.
Teams to Watch in 2025
- Team Canada (Brad Gushue):Â The reigning champions face pressure after roster changes and recent struggles.
- Team Alberta (Kevin Koe):Â A veteran squad led by four-time Brier winner Koe.
- Team Manitoba (Matt Dunstone): A rising powerhouse ranked among the world’s best.
- Team Saskatchewan (Mike McEwen):Â Local favorites aiming to capitalize on home-ice advantage.
- Team Ontario (Sam Mooibroek):Â A young, ambitious team looking to make their mark.
Tournament Schedule Highlights
- Dates:Â February 28 (opening round-robin) to March 9 (championship final).
- Format:Â Two pools compete in round-robin play, followed by Page playoffs and knockout stages.
- Key Matches:
- Feb. 28 (9:30 p.m. ET): Manitoba (Carruthers) vs. British Columbia; Canada vs. Newfoundland and Labrador.
- March 7: Page Qualifiers (3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET).
- March 9: Semifinal (2:00 p.m. ET) and Championship Final (8:00 p.m. ET).
Team Canada’s revamped lineup—replacing longtime members Mark Nichols and Geoff Walker with Brendan Bottcher—has struggled to find consistency, posting a concerning 2-7 record in recent Grand Slam events. This slump creates opportunities for rivals like Matt Dunstone (Manitoba) and Brad Jacobs (Alberta), both ranked ahead of Gushue in global power ratings by analyst Ken Pomeroy.
Brad Jacobs, now leading a retooled Alberta team featuring Olympic gold medalists Marc Kennedy and Ben Hebert, is a formidable contender. Despite falling short in two recent Grand Slam finals, Jacobs’ squad has shown elite consistency, positioning them as strong contenders to reclaim Brier glory.
Pool A
| Team (Skip) | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta (Kevin Koe) | 0 | 0 |
| British Columbia (Cameron de Jong) | 0 | 0 |
| Canada (Brad Gushue) | 0 | 0 |
| Manitoba (Reid Carruthers) | 0 | 0 |
| Manitoba (Matt Dunstone) | 0 | 0 |
| New Brunswick (James Grattan) | 0 | 0 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (Ty Dilello) | 0 | 0 |
| Northern Ontario (John Epping) | 0 | 0 |
| Nunavut (Shane Latimer) | 0 | 0 |
Pool B
| Team (Skip) | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta (Brad Jacobs) | 0 | 0 |
| Northwest Territories (Aaron Bartling) | 0 | 0 |
| Nova Scotia (Owen Purcell) | 0 | 0 |
| Ontario (Sam Mooibroek) | 0 | 0 |
| Prince Edward Island (Tyler Smith) | 0 | 0 |
| Quebec (Felix Asselin) | 0 | 0 |
| Saskatchewan (Rylan Kleiter) | 0 | 0 |
| Saskatchewan (Mike McEwen) | 0 | 0 |
| Yukon (Thomas Scoffin) | 0 | 0 |
With rivalries heating up and veteran skips facing ambitious challengers, the 2025 Brier promises thrilling action and unpredictable outcomes. Don’t miss Canada’s top curlers battling for supremacy on the ice!
