Wausau hosts the Senior Men’s National Championships

The air is crisp, the ice is perfect, and the granite stones are ready to glide. As winter settles across the Midwest, Wausau prepares to host a premier event that celebrates a century-old sport of finesse, strategy, and spirited camaraderie. The city, already celebrated for its majestic snowscapes and robust winter activities, is once again solidifying its reputation as a haven for winter sports by hosting the National Senior Men’s Curling Championships from February 19-22 at the state-of-the-art Wausau Curling Center.

For those unfamiliar, the game of curling has been a favorite of Wausau residents since at least the early 1900s — and maybe even earlier. It’s a sport where the silence of calculation is broken by the thunderous call of “Sweep! Sweep!” followed by the frantic action of players brushing the ice. It’s a delicate dance of physics, played with 42-pound polished granite stones aimed at a target known as the house. The energy is electric, the precision is stunning, and in Wausau, the competition is about to reach a fever pitch.

A gathering of curling veterans

The National Senior Men’s Curling Championships, proudly sponsored by the U.S. Senior Men’s Curling Association (USSMCA), promises to be one of the largest and most competitive senior events on the calendar. This isn’t just a local bonspiel; this is a true national gathering expected to draw approximately 80 teams and several hundred dedicated curlers from across the country.

What makes this event particularly special is the wealth of experience and passion on display. Competitors must be age 55 and over, creating a field rich with institutional knowledge and decades of practice. The tournament is meticulously structured to celebrate longevity in the sport, featuring specialized divisions that include the Super Seniors for those over 63, and the prestigious Masters division for curlers over 68 years of age. It’s a testament to the game’s enduring appeal that teams will include active curlers in their seventies and even eighties—true veterans of the pebble and the hack.

These championships showcase a level of sportsmanship and competitive intensity that only seasoned players can deliver. They know the weight of the throw, the curl of the stone, and the exact moment to call for a sweeping action that subtly changes the stone’s trajectory. Their play is a masterclass in strategy, often favoring placement and calculated risks over brute force. The USSMCA’s commitment to providing a top-tier competitive environment makes this event a must-see for any winter sports enthusiast.

The schedule and setting

The four-day event kicks off with a welcoming reception for the teams and their guests on Wednesday night, setting a tone of friendship before the intense competition begins. From Thursday through Saturday, the red-hot action will dominate the ice during the day and early evening. The drama culminates on Sunday, February 22, with the final matches that will determine the national champions in each division.

The stage for this national competition is the magnificent Wausau Curling Center, located at 1920 Curling Way on the city’s southeast side. It is widely regarded as one of the best facilities in the nation, boasting a modern, state-of-the-art setup with eight perfectly maintained sheets of ice. The local club and its dedicated committee of volunteers, led by event chair Randy Brandner, have been working tirelessly to host the nation’s finest senior curlers.

Wausau’s century-old curling heritage

Curling is not a passing trend in Wausau; it is a profound part of the community’s winter identity, a tradition that spans more than a century. The local enthusiasm for the sport is palpable, driving the Wausau Curling Club to host bonspiels and championships throughout the entire season, from November through March.
The National Senior Men’s Championships is just one of the major events scheduled for the 2025-26 season, which also includes the high-energy Badger State Games in early February and the Wisconsin State High School championships later the same month. These recurring events confirm Wausau’s position as a central hub for the sport at all levels, from novice to elite.

For the community and visiting spectators, the best part of this long-standing tradition is access: the public is warmly welcome to attend the curling action at no charge. Whether you’re a seasoned curler or a curious newcomer, watching the granite fly is a thrilling way to spend a cold winter day. For those who can’t make it in person, the events will also be live-streamed on the Wausau Curling Club’s dedicated YouTube channel, ensuring no one misses a moment of the “true veterans’” action.

Furthermore, the Wausau Curling Club offers the opportunity for the public to get a hands-on taste of the sport. Depending on ice availability and scheduling, groups, companies, families, and organizations can set up group curling lessons and outings.
Every winter, Wausau doesn’t just survive the cold weather — it celebrates it. If the drama of the Nationals sparks your interest in trying the game yourself, contact the Wausau Curling Club at www.wausaucurling.org for details and information on how to sign up.