"Curling was the only sport to air every day of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. A report shared with NPR by USA Curling showed that curling had the largest viewership of any sport during NBC's Winter Olympic coverage. As the Paralympics kick off, wheelchair curling athletes from across the world will compete every day."
"Dean Gemmell, CEO of USA Curling, the national governing body for the sport, told NPR that USA Curling's member clubs have consistently reported between 300 to 600 people at 'learn-to-curl' events and open houses in the past few months. 'We do get a good bump every four years, but I think this year seems more significant than in the past,' Gemmell said."
"Bishop first began curling 16 years ago during an Olympics season. She, and many others at her club, cite the Winter Olympics as the reason why they became interested in the sport. This phenomenon—that thousands of people become interested in curling every four years and decide to get on the ice—is well documented."
Curling experienced unprecedented popularity during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, becoming the only sport to air every day and achieving the largest viewership of any sport during NBC's Winter Olympic coverage. This visibility sparked significant interest in the sport across America, with USA Curling reporting between 300 to 600 participants at learn-to-curl events and open houses in recent months. The phenomenon of Olympic-driven interest in curling is well-documented, with many current players citing the Winter Olympics as their entry point to the sport. CEO Dean Gemmell noted this year's surge appears more significant than previous Olympic cycles, attributing it partly to strong American team performances and extensive television coverage.
Read at www.npr.org
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