WINNER
Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2025 Named STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year (Group A)
The 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Thunder Bay, Ontario was named the Sport Tourism Canada Canadian Sport Event of the Year (Group A) at the 2026 PRESTIGE Awards, recognizing excellence in events with budgets between $1 million and $10 million.
Hosted from February 14-23, 2025, the championship brought Canada’s top women’s curling teams to Fort William Gardens for ten days of national competition and celebration. The event welcomed more than 54,000 spectators, creating one of the most successful sport events ever staged in Thunder Bay.
The championship represented a meaningful milestone for the community. Thunder Bay had originally been awarded the event for 2021, but pandemic restrictions prevented it from being held as planned. When the Scotties returned in 2025, fans filled the arena and embraced the opportunity to experience the national championship in person.
Nationally, the tournament delivered significant media reach and visibility. TSN broadcasts attracted more than 5.9 million viewers, including 1.65 million viewers for the gold medal game. Digital engagement was also strong, generating more than 4.5 million social media impressions and 2.7 million website page views during the event.
Community support played a central role in the event’s success. More than 400 volunteers contributed over 1,000 hours to help deliver a seamless experience for athletes, officials, and visitors. Local businesses and organizations also stepped forward to support the championship, reinforcing Thunder Bay’s reputation as a welcoming and capable host destination.
The Scotties also left a lasting legacy for the community. Hosting the event helped secure upgrades to the historic Fort William Gardens, including a new digital scoreboard and improved accessibility features. In addition, proceeds from the event supported local curling clubs and youth programs, while the championship also contributed to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, supporting neonatal care initiatives.
Youth engagement and women’s sport development were key components of the event’s impact. Programs such as Girls Rock, Rock & Rings school visits, and youth curling initiatives introduced new participants to the sport and strengthened the local curling community.
Through strong partnerships, volunteer leadership, and enthusiastic community support, the 2025 Scotties Tournament of Hearts demonstrated how national championships can deliver lasting social, economic, and sport development benefits to host communities.
Congratulations!
The PRESTIGE Awards are presented annually, with 10 awards across eight categories, to honour individuals, companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the success of the sport tourism industry. The 2026 awards presentation was held in Mississauga at the PRESTIGE Awards Gala – Wednesday, March 11, 2026.