Pride on the ice, 2025 Canadian Pride Curling Championships in Edmonton this weekend

Edmonton is hosting a national pride curling championship throughout the weekend that began in the city.

Brooms aren’t just for spring cleaning as curlers will prove at the 2025 Canadian Pride Curling Championships this weekend.

The annual event will see 16 of the top LGBTQ2S+ curling teams in Canada compete at the Granite Curling Club in Edmonton.

Teams come from all over the country, from Vancouver all the way to St. John’s.

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This is the first year a team from Regina is competing in the championship. The team features a pair of curlers who have competed at The Brier.

At Thursday’s opening ceremonies, Rachel Homan, who won her second-straight women’s world championship in March, threw the first rock.

“A few of my friends have played in this event over the years and I’ve gone to watch it when I was in Ottawa,” Homan said. “It’s just kind of exciting that I can be here today and support their event … any nationals you play in is really exciting.”

The championship began in 2006 in Edmonton, organized by the city’s own Curling With Pride club, and has since been held all over the country.

“When you step into sport, you want it to be inclusive for everyone, and events like this just help foster that community and make sure that everyone feels welcome and supported,” said Homan.

This is the third time Edmonton has hosted the event.

Toronto has claimed two championships in a row, and skip Bill Francis and his team hopes to make it three this weekend.