Feb 7 • 16:15 UTC 🇮🇹 Italy Il Giornale

Guide to Curling: Everything You Need to Know About the Most Followed Sport at the Winter Olympics

As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics approach, interest in curling is set to soar, highlighting its transition from a niche activity to a widely beloved winter sport.

With the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina in 2026, the popularity of curling is poised for a resurgence. Initially regarded as a niche sport in the late 1990s, curling has seen a significant increase in interest during the Winter Games, drawing in passionate fans and participants alike. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to curlings, such as its history, rules, and what makes it unique as an Olympic discipline.

Curling is a team sport played on ice that involves strategy and precision. The objective is to slide granite stones towards a designated target area known as 'the house,' with the goal of positioning one's stones closer to the center than the opposing team's. A unique aspect of curling is the use of brooms, which players use to sweep the ice in front of the stone to influence its speed and trajectory. Sweeping warms the ice, creating a thin layer of water—known as aquaplaning—which can help the stone travel further and straighter.

This guide not only outlines the basics of playing curling but also offers insights into the techniques and strategies that define the sport. As the excitement builds for the upcoming Olympics, both new and veteran fans can look forward to witnessing firsthand the intricacies and joys of curling, potentially discovering a new appreciation for this captivating and tactical winter Olympic event.

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