What Is 2019 Continental Cup of Curling

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Continental Cup of Curling was held from January 10–13, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring Team World defeating Team North America 37–23. It was the 15th edition of the event and the first held outside Canada in over a decade.

Key Facts

Held January 10–13, 2019, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Team World won with a final score of 37–23 over Team North America
First Continental Cup hosted in the United States since 2002
Featured 12-player rosters: six men and six women from each side
Included five match formats: singles, doubles, team games, scrambles, and mixed doubles

Overview

The 2019 Continental Cup of Curling marked a significant shift in the event’s history by being hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 10 to 13. It was the first time since 2002 that the competition took place outside Canada, signaling a push to grow curling’s popularity in non-traditional markets.

Organized by Curling Canada and World Curling, the tournament featured a head-to-head format between Team North America and Team World. The event combined multiple curling disciplines across four days, culminating in Team World’s decisive 37–23 victory.

January 10–13, 2019: The competition spanned four days at the Orleans Arena, a venue more commonly associated with boxing and entertainment, highlighting curling’s crossover appeal.
Team World roster: Included Olympic champions such as Sweden’s Niklas Edin and Switzerland’s Alina Pätz, bringing elite international talent to the event.
Team North America: Comprised top Canadian and American curlers, including Kevin Koe and John Shuster, both of whom had recently medaled at the Winter Olympics.
Scoring system: Points were awarded across multiple game types, with the first team to reach 30.5 points declared the winner; Team World reached 37 points by the end.
Attendance: Over 15,000 fans attended across the four days, a record for the Continental Cup and a testament to its growing U.S. appeal.

How It Works

The Continental Cup uses a unique points-based system across varied curling formats, distinguishing it from traditional tournaments. Each game type contributes a different point value, encouraging teams to adapt strategies throughout the event.

Singles: Each player throws one stone per end, with only one team member on each side competing. This format tests individual precision and decision-making under pressure.
Doubles games: Two-player teams compete using modified rules, including pre-positioned stones. This faster-paced version emphasizes shot-making and speed control.
Team games: Standard four-player teams play full ends with traditional rules, contributing up to two points per match depending on the outcome.
Scrambles: Captains draft mixed teams on the spot, combining players from both sides. This format promotes camaraderie and unpredictability, with each scramble worth one point.
Mixed doubles: A popular Olympic discipline, each team played two games worth 1.5 points each, featuring timed ends and strategic stone placement.
Final match: If neither team reaches 30.5 points, a final 'championship' game decides the winner. In 2019, Team World surpassed the threshold before this became necessary.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key aspects of the 2019 Continental Cup with previous editions:

Feature	2019 Cup	Prior Editions (e.g., 2016)
Location	Las Vegas, USA	London, Canada
Winner	Team World (37–23)	Team North America (32–28)
Attendance	15,000+	~10,000
Number of Formats	5	5
First Held in U.S. Since	2002	N/A

The 2019 event stood out not only for its location but also for its successful integration of entertainment and sport. With celebrity appearances and live music, the Cup resembled a sports spectacle more than a traditional curling competition, broadening its appeal beyond core fans.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Continental Cup played a pivotal role in expanding curling’s footprint in North America. By choosing Las Vegas, organizers demonstrated a commitment to modernizing the sport’s image and attracting younger, more diverse audiences.

Globalization of curling: The strong Team World roster emphasized the sport’s international depth, challenging North America’s historical dominance in team competitions.
U.S. market expansion: Hosting in Las Vegas introduced curling to a new demographic, potentially increasing youth participation and TV viewership in the United States.
Format innovation: The mix of singles, scrambles, and doubles showcased curling’s versatility, influencing future event designs like the World Mixed Doubles.
Commercial viability: Sponsorships from brands like Ford and Sportsnet highlighted the event’s growing commercial appeal and media value.
Player development: The high-pressure environment allowed emerging athletes to compete alongside legends, accelerating skill transfer across generations.
Legacy impact: The success of the 2019 Cup led to discussions about rotating future editions across Europe and Asia, promoting a truly global curling circuit.

Ultimately, the 2019 Continental Cup was more than a competition—it was a statement about curling’s evolving identity and its potential to thrive beyond traditional strongholds.