The Türkiye National Floor Curling Championship, beginning on 17 November in the city of Samsun, brings together 54 clubs from 25 cities and a total of 340 athletes across the men’s, women’s and mixed categories. The launch of this first national championship, organised by the Türkiye Curling Federation in cooperation with World Floor Curling, marks an important step in the country’s sporting development and reflects a wider trend seen in several federations that have initiated their own national tournaments in recent years.
The discipline’s expansion has been highlighted by World Curling, which notes the rise in participation and the adoption of new technologies and development programmes aimed at broadening the sport’s base. The president of the Turkish federation, Kenan Şebin, emphasises this approach by stating that “this event is also a celebration of the federation’s commitment to increasing opportunities for curling throughout the country.” Türkiye’s experience forms part of a broader movement that includes the emergence of first and second national championships in countries such as Chinese Taipei, Korea, India and the United Kingdom, as well as growing competitive activity across Asia and the increasing role of floor curling as an accessible entry point to the sport.
First-time curling events across multiple countries
In recent years, a number of federations have held their first-ever national floor curling championships. Chinese Taipei organised the first event officially sanctioned by World Floor Curling in the city of Hsinchu, drawing more than one hundred participants. In Korea, the Korea Curling Federation staged its inaugural national championship during the competitive season of 2025, integrating the discipline into its broader development plans. These initiatives rely on environments that do not require permanent ice facilities, helping new athletes enter the sport more easily.
India has also strengthened its position by organising its second and third national championships since 2023, with steady growth in schools and training centres. The United Kingdom is preparing for its first British Floor Curling Championship in 2026, while Spain has hosted its first officially recognised event within its national calendar. Taken together, these examples show how the discipline is gaining ground in regions where traditional curling previously lacked a consistent structure.
More participants at world championships and new member federations
Growth in curling extends beyond development pathways. In Asia, the presence of new national teams has helped diversify the competitive landscape. The Philippines achieved a milestone result at the Asian Winter Games in Harbin by winning the gold medal in men’s curling, only a few years after establishing its national federation. Countries such as Singapore, Pakistan and Puerto Rico have also joined the structure of World Curling in recent seasons.
The international federation has introduced structural reforms aimed at increasing representation at the highest level. From the 2026–2027 season onwards, the men’s and women’s World Championships will expand from 13 to 18 teams, accompanied by new divisional qualification systems and greater access for emerging federations. These changes are designed to strengthen participation opportunities and create a more inclusive and stable competitive framework.
Introducing curling in non-ice environments
Floor curling has become a central component of the sport’s global growth strategy. Its introduction in schools, community centres and sports facilities allows the discipline to reach environments without ice and supports entry-level programmes for young players and athletes with varying levels of experience. Federations in India, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Türkiye and the United Kingdom have incorporated floor curling as a key tool for expanding participation.
Greater visibility at international competitions has also contributed to increased interest. Following the Beijing Winter Games, rising audiences on television and digital platforms helped spark attention in countries without a curling tradition. This context has encouraged the creation of new development pathways, the rollout of training programmes and the incorporation of federations seeking to establish themselves in the international system through floor curling and the expanded qualification structures.
