Excitement Builds in London for Grand Slam Curling Event

Numerous elite curling teams are gathered in London this week, competing for the top prize at an international curling tournament.

The Grand Slam of Curling is hosting its Masters event at the Western Fair Sports Complex until Sunday, attracting teams from 13 different countries to southwestern Ontario.

Top athletes from nations like Switzerland, South Korea, and Japan are going head-to-head against local talent from Forest City itself.

“We have the top 16 teams in the world all coming and competing here in London. It rivals what you’ll see at the Olympic Games come February,” said London curler Sarah Wilkes, who plays on Canada’s Team Homan.

“It’s just the best of the best. Every game you have to bring your A-game, and if you don’t, it’s going to be tough,” she said.

Sarah Wilkes is from London, Ont. and is playing on Team Homan at the Grand Slam of Curling from Sept. 23-29 in her home city. (Kendra Seguin/)

Wilkes’ team narrowly defeated Sweden’s Team Wrana 6-5 during Wednesday afternoon’s match, with London fans showing their enthusiasm through loud cheers, applause, and ringing bells.

“It’s great to be so close to home, see so many familiar faces in the crowd and have the community support behind us,” said Wilkes, who has been part of both the London Curling Club and Highland Community Curling Club.

For many other competitors at the tournament, being in London means traveling a long way from home.

“We’re used to it because all of the big events are in Canada, so we travel a lot over here,” said curler Joel Retornaz from Italy’s Team Retornaz.

“This is my first time in London and I kind of like it. People are super nice here in the city … That’s something that makes us love the place we’re at,” said Retornaz, whose team won 8-6 against Switzerland’s Team Schwaller.

Joel Retornaz is the skip on Italy’s Team Retornaz. His team won their match at the Grand Slam of Curling in London, Ont. on Sept. 24, 2025. (Kendra Seguin/)

A total of 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams are taking part in this round-robin Tier 1 tournament at Western Fair Sports Complex between Sept. 23 to 28. Each day features four matches happening simultaneously throughout different times during each day.

The week-long tournament means a lot for young Cooper Kirk, who’s skipping school for a few days to catch his favorite team-Wilkes’ Team Homan-on ice.

“It’s exciting. I got to meet some of my favorite curlers,” Kirk said.

Additionally, another 32 teams are participating in a Tier 2 Grand Slam tournament taking place in St. Thomas this week while wheelchair curling matches unfold over in Waterloo. Both will conclude with medal games held in London over this weekend.

11-year-old Nicole Pletch and 10-year-old Cooper Kirk are both young curlers from London, Ont., who attended the Grand Slam of Curling on Sept. 24, 2025. (Kendra Seguin/)

They’ll join all-day quarterfinals and semifinals for Tier I matches on Saturday leading up to finals scheduled for Sunday.

“We’re just continuing to stick with figuring out how we can improve what we can do better each game how we can learn from our misses and continue what we’re doing well,” Wilkes said.

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