With less than six weeks remaining, the preparations for the 2026 Montana’s Brier in St. John’s are in full swing, with the final batch of tickets set to be released on Tuesday at 12 p.m. NT. Eugene Trickett, the vice-chair of the tournament committee, anticipates around 350 to 450 tickets being made available for each draw of the competition. Given the high demand witnessed so far, Trickett foresees a rapid sell-out, largely driven by the excitement to witness local favorite Brad Gushue compete in his final Brier before retirement.
The upcoming event is generating exceptional buzz, with Trickett noting the unique aspect of a competitor retiring on home turf, stating that such a scenario has not been witnessed in previous editions of the Brier. Fans are eager to witness Gushue in action once more, recalling the memorable victory he achieved in front of his hometown crowd during the 2017 national tournament hosted in St. John’s.
As the tournament approaches, tickets can be purchased through Curling Canada’s website, with Trickett mentioning the possibility of some tickets becoming available in the days leading up to the initial draws, as unused tickets from sponsors or participants are released. Despite the challenge of securing tickets, individuals can still participate by volunteering for the event. The tournament committee has filled approximately 98% of the required 400 volunteer positions, with the remaining roles centered around the Patch – an entertainment hub within the St. John’s Convention Centre featuring bars, food vendors, and live performances by renowned acts like the Irish Descendants and Billy and the Bruisers.
Anticipating a bustling atmosphere, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, Trickett encourages those interested to register as volunteers on the Curling Canada website. The Patch is expected to be a focal point of activity during the Brier, serving as its heart and soul, akin to its role in the 2017 edition but predicted to be even more vibrant this time around.