Miskew Criticizes Curling Canada for Blocking Team Homan from Scotties

Casey Halston

Published: March 5, 2026 5:00 PM ET

In a significant controversy surrounding the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Emma Miskew has expressed discontent with Curling Canada. This comes as her team, led by two-time defending champion Rachel Homan, is prohibited from competing in the tournament due to a decision made by Curling Canada in the summer of 2025.

Miskew Criticizes Curling Canada for Blocking Team Homan

The decision by Curling Canada stated that the winners of the Canadian Olympic Trials, which Homan’s team successfully secured, were “strongly recommended” not to participate in the Scotties. This recommendation stemmed from concerns regarding the proximity of the Scotties to the Olympic Games, which are set to begin days after the tournament concludes.

Olympic Trials and Scheduling Conflicts

Scotties Tournament of Hearts: January 23 to February 1, 2026
Olympic women’s curling event: Begins February 12, 2026

Miskew, a five-time Scotties champion, understands the rationale but highlights larger issues. Historically, male teams have been permitted to compete in both events, while their female counterparts face scheduling conflicts. “For the last 16 years, this problem has persisted without any effort to change the schedule,” she lamented.

The implications of this decision are significant. Not only does Miskew’s team miss the chance to defend their title for a third consecutive year, but they also forfeit up to $100,000 in potential prize money. “We aren’t given the opportunity to play for the substantial purse at the Scotties, nor do we receive compensation for winning the trials,” Miskew noted in a recent podcast.

Response from Curling Canada

When queried about compensation for Homan’s team, a spokesperson from Curling Canada stated they had access to financial support through the Canadian Olympic Committee. However, Miskew criticized Curling Canada’s lack of transparency when the news broke that the team would not compete. “Curling Canada didn’t communicate that they chose not to allow us to go. This made us appear unprofessional,” she said.

The spokesperson indicated that Curling Canada did respond to inquiries from media outlets in December. However, public details about the specifics of the decision were minimal.

The Future of Scheduling

Looking forward, the Scotties in 2030 are currently scheduled for January 18-27, just before the Olympics commence on February 1. Miskew fears the same issues could arise if no adjustments are made to the schedule.

In response to the ongoing scheduling concerns, Curling Canada has committed to discussing potential changes with the Athlete Council. They will explore feedback before finalizing plans for the next quadrennial.

The disparities between men’s and women’s curling, along with the financial implications, underline the urgency for a reevaluation of tournament scheduling. As it stands, Miskew and her teammates face a challenging landscape ahead of their Olympic appearances.