Sioux Falls will host U.S. Olympic Team Trials for curling ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Sioux Falls will host the 2025 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for men's and women's curling, as well as the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials for Wheelchair Mixed Doubles Curling, officials announced at a Monday afternoon press conference.
The Denny Sanford Premier Center will host the practice rounds, round-robin play and the final playoffs Nov. 7-16, 2025, as curlers compete to represent Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are being hosted in Italy. It's the first Olympics event to be held in South Dakota.
Thomas Lee, the executive director of the Sioux Falls Sports Authority, called the trials an "unparalleled opportunity" to showcase the city.
The city beat out Omaha, Cedar Rapids and Boston for the chance to host the trials, even though USA Curling's site visit came in February during subzero temperatures, Lee noted.
"You don't want -44 when you're trying to show off your city," Lee said.
But Dean Gemmell, the CEO of USA Curling, said that the city's energy and enthusiasm shone through the frigid weather, along with the passion from the Sioux Falls Curling Club.
Mayor Paul TenHaken said the selection was an honor, adding that it would be exciting to see Olympians in Sioux Falls, and that a national event like this would raise the bar for the city.
"I'm very excited," said Councilor Curt Soehl, a member of the SFSA's executive committee.
Soehl — an avid curler himself — said he hoped the trials would help discussions for a more permanent facility in Sioux Falls, which could then increase participation.
"It's a very, very social sport," Soehl said.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls will host U.S. Olympic Team Trials for curling
