The 5-and-Under World Championship is committed to providing a competitive and inclusive platform for emerging curlers worldwide. Teams are selected through a structured qualification process designed to balance performance, accessibility, and international representation.
Eligibility
To be considered for entry, all teams must meet the following requirements:
- Each athlete must have no more than five (5) years of competitive curling experience as of the event start date.
- Every athlete must be 21 years or older (exceptions for 18-21 may be given if appealed)
- Teams must be in good standing with their respective club, region, or national governing body.
- All entries must represent a recognized club, region, or country.
Qualification Pathways
Teams may be admitted through one of the following pathways:
National or Regional Qualification
Teams achieving top results in recognized 5-and-Under Championships may qualify directly.
USA Curling 5U Nationals
Quebec Colts
Club or Regional Nomination
Curling clubs and regional associations may nominate teams demonstrating consistent performance, development, and sportsmanship within league or bonspiel competition.
International Invitations
To support global participation, select teams may be invited at the discretion of the organizing committee, based on competitive merit and the development of curling within their region.
Host Allocation
The host club is guaranteed representation. How they choose their representative is outside our purview.
At-Large Applications
Teams may apply directly for entry. Applications are evaluated by the organizing committee in accordance with the selection criteria outlined below.
Application: At Large Application
Field Size (Hard Cap)
To ensure a high-quality competitive experience, the championship field is limited to a maximum of 32 teams and a minimum of 16 teams
- Entries are accepted until the field is full.
- The organizing committee reserves the right to allocate entries to maintain competitive balance and international representation.
- A waitlist will be maintained once the Minimum field size has been reached.
Acceptance Timeline
The following timeline governs the application and selection process:
- Application Window Opens: April 1, 2026
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2026
- Initial Acceptance Notifications: Issued on a rolling basis beginning June 15, 2026
- Final Field Confirmation: September 1, 2026
- Waitlist Notifications (if applicable): Ongoing until November 1, 2026
Teams receiving an invitation must confirm their participation within the timeframe specified in their offer. Failure to do so may result in the allocation of the position to another team.
Selection Criteria
All entries are reviewed with consideration to:
Geographic and competitive diversity of the field
Demonstrated competitive performance and progression
Compliance with the five-year eligibility requirement
Commitment to sportsmanship and the spirit of international competition