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It was announced Thursday that the Kioti Tractor Tour Challenge will be held at the Coca Cola Centre from November 3-8, 2020 (Photo: Shaun Penner)
By Shaun Penner
GSOC to Grande Prairie

Grand Slam of Curling to include Grande Prairie stop next season

Feb 20, 2020 | 9:56 AM

The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is going to be making a stop in Grande Prairie in November.

It was announced Thursday morning that the Kioti Tractor Tour Challenge will be coming to the Coca-Cola Centre from November 3-8, 2020.

The stop is one of six on the tour and is the largest such event with a total of 60 teams split over two tiers taking part. The tour has been ongoing since the 2001-02 season and features other events such as the Canadian Open, the Masters, the National and the Players’ Championship.

“Hosting the KIOTI Tractor Tour Challenge and being part of the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling for the 2020-2021 season is a huge opportunity for our community, and we are immensely proud to be selected as part of the tour,” said Catherine Ridgeway, Events and Entertainment Manager for the City. “Being selected as a host city is a testament to the world-class status of our facilities, and the passion of our curling community.”

The Kioti Tractor Tour Challenge this season was held in Pictou, Nova Scotia, where Brad Jacobs defended his title and took down Geoff Walker and Team Brad Gushue in the Tier I men’s final. Sweden’s Anna Hasselborg defeated Kerri Einarson in the Tier I women’s final.

This will be the first major professional curling event hosted in the Swan City since the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, where Chelsea Carey’s Alberta rink beat Krista McCarville from Northern Ontario in the final held at Revolution Place. The 2015 Canada Cup of Curling was also held at Revolution Place. Kevin Koe and Rachel Homan won the finals at that event.

The date for when tickets will go on sale for the Tour Challenge has not been announced.

The full list of tour stops can be found below:

  • Master: October 20-25, 2020 in Sarnia, ON
  • Kioti Tractor Tour Challenge: November 3-8, 2020 in Grande Prairie, AB
  • BOOST National: December 8-13, 2020 in Chestermere, AB
  • Meridian Open: January 12-17, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV
  • Princess Auto Players’ Championship: April 13-18, 2021 in Toronto, ON
  • Humpty’s Champions Cup: April 27-May 2, 2021 (Location TBD)
by Shaun Penner