Penticton to host 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts

Curling Canada announced Thursday morning that Penticton will welcome the 2018 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

The tournament brings the best Canadian women’s curling teams to the south Okanagan Jan. 27 to Feb. 4 at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).

“There was a great deal of interest from across the country in hosting the 2018 Scotties, but the bid from Penticton raised the bar and made our decision relatively easy,” said Peter Inch, Chair of Curling Canada’s Board of Governors.

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It will be Penticton’s first time playing host to this event.

SOEC has previously hosted the 2013 World Financial Group Continental Cup, won by Team North America.

“Penticton has a rich history for hosting large-scale events, and having the Scotties in February 2018 will provide the community with significant impact, both socially and economically,” said Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

For the first time ever the tournament will have a 16 teams competing for the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship. The field will feature 14 provincial and territorial champions along with the defending champion Team Canada. The 16th team is still to be determined and will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the 2018 Scotties will go on sale early in 2017.

The 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts is scheduled for Feb. 18 to 26 in St. Catharines, Ont.

The winner of the 2017 Scotties will be Team Canada a year later in Penticton.