With just over half a year to go before the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, Team GB's curling squads are beginning to see their path to the podium more clearly. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Curling Federation have officially released the competition schedule for the Winter Olympic 2026 Games, providing crucial insight for teams planning their Olympic strategy. For Great Britain's men's curling team, led by world-class skip Bruce Mouat, the announcement marks a pivotal moment in their preparations for a return to Olympic glory.
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The British men's team—comprising Bruce Mouat, Hammy McMillan Jr, Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie—is one of the most experienced and cohesive units in international curling. All four athletes were key to Team GB's silver medal performance at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic, and their sights are firmly set on improving that result in Italy.
Bruce Mouat Leads Team GB Back to Winter Olympic Curling Podium Hunt
Few skips in Winter Olympic curling today can match Bruce Mouat's tactical acumen and shot-making under pressure. The Edinburgh native has grown into a respected leader on and off the ice since his Olympic debut in 2022. Alongside teammates McMillan, Lammie, and Hardie—each of whom has played with Mouat for years—the squad brings a rare blend of chemistry, communication, and elite-level shot execution.
We've been through a lot together since Beijing, Mouat told reporters following the schedule release. That silver medal was a proud moment, but it also left us wanting more. Now we know what the path looks like, and we're ready. Team GB's men are entering the Winter Olympic 2026 as strong medal contenders. In the years since Beijing, they've continued to perform well on the World Curling Tour, including a European Championship title and podium finishes at Grand Slam events. With every member of the team still in their prime, Milano Cortina represents both a continuation of their legacy and a chance to rewrite it.You Can Read Winter Olympic 2026: Brisbane dads chase Olympic Curling dream on Otago ice
Understanding the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Curling Schedule
The Winter Olympic 2026 Olympic curling tournament will once again feature three events: men's, women's, and mixed doubles. Round-robin play for all three competitions will begin on February 8, 2026, at the newly renovated Pinerolo Olympic Arena in northern Italy—the same venue that hosted curling at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
For the men's and women's events, each team will play nine round-robin matches over the course of 11 days, with semifinals scheduled for February 18 and medal matches taking place on February 20 (bronze) and February 21 (gold).
Team GB's men have drawn several key opponents early in the schedule, including defending Olympic champions Sweden and perennial rivals Canada. The early matchups could prove critical in determining momentum and confidence heading into the medal rounds.
This schedule gives us some real tests up front, said Grant Hardie. It's a good thing. We want to hit the ice sharp, and facing the best early will force us to elevate our game. Meanwhile, the mixed doubles event will conclude before the men's and women's semifinals begin, freeing up the calendar for greater media attention on the traditional four-player games during the final stages. This could benefit teams like Great Britain, who rely on crowd energy and momentum late in tournaments.
Team Chemistry and Consistency Key to British Hopes
One of the defining strengths of the Mouat rink is its exceptional chemistry. Bruce Mouat and Bobby Lammie have been Winter Olympic curling together since junior levels, while Hardie and McMillan have become indispensable pieces over the past Olympic cycle. The continuity has paid off, with the team developing an almost telepathic understanding on the ice.
In Winter Olympic curling, where fractions of an inch can separate a winning draw from a lost end, that chemistry can be the difference between gold and heartbreak. We trust each other completely, said Hammy McMillan Jr. We've played so many big games together that we know how to communicate in pressure situations. When the lights are bright, we don't flinch—we focus.
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Mouat's team is also known for their precise shot-calling and strategic innovation. They are unafraid to take calculated risks and have often used aggressive end planning to apply scoreboard pressure early in matches. This style could be particularly effective in Pinerolo, where the ice conditions are expected to favor offensive play.
Winter Olympic Curling in Great Britain: Tradition and Modern Momentum
Curling has a long-standing place in British sporting culture, with deep roots in Scotland where the sport originated. While the Olympic spotlight only shines on curling once every four years, the game has remained strong at the grassroots and elite levels in the UK.
British curling has benefited in recent years from investment in high-performance training, with centers in Stirling and Glasgow serving as hubs for development. The British Winter Olympic Curling Federation has also prioritized mental resilience and team building—two areas that Mouat's team exemplifies.
The silver medal in Beijing helped reignite national interest in the sport, drawing record television ratings and sparking increased enrollment in local curling clubs. With a more competitive and visible domestic circuit, the Winter Olympic 2026 Games represent a chance to build on that momentum and establish curling as a permanent fixture in the UK's Olympic medal strategy.
Beyond the Men's Team: Team GB's Full Winter Olympic Curling Campaign Takes Shape
While Mouat's men's team may be the most high-profile squad heading to Italy, Team GB's Winter Olympic curling ambitions don't end there. The British women's team—currently headlined by skip Eve Muirhead's successors—is still taking shape but features a core of experienced competitors ready to make their mark.
In the mixed doubles category, Team GB remains a top-tier nation, having won the gold medal in Beijing 2022 thanks to Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat. Whether that pairing returns remains to be seen, but any team Britain sends will have podium potential. The official Olympic trials for all three teams are scheduled for fall 2025, with selection based on recent form, World Winter Olympic Curling Federation rankings, and internal performance evaluations.
What Success in Winter Olympic 2026 Would Mean
For Bruce Mouat and his teammates, Milano Cortina is more than just a chance at redemption—it's the culmination of years of effort, heartbreak, and growth. A gold medal would cement their legacy as one of Britain's greatest curling teams, while also signaling a new era of British dominance in the sport.
It would also mark a historic moment for Winter Olympic curling in Great Britain, potentially inspiring the next generation of athletes and elevating the sport's profile further in the public eye. We've come close before, said Mouat. Now we want to finish the job. We know how special an Olympic podium is—but we also know how to get there. As the countdown to Milano Cortina continues, Team GB's Winter Olympic curling teams are preparing with one goal in mind: to climb back onto the Olympic podium—this time, to the very top.
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