Tournament of Hearts bound for Penticton in 2018

PENTICTON – Penticton will host one of the country’s most prestigious curling tournaments in 2018.

Curling Canada announced today, Oct. 27, the 2018 Canadian Women’s Curling Championship will be held Penticton.

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4, 2018.

“There was a great deal of interest from across the country in hosting the 2018 Scotties, but the bid from Penticton raised the bar and made our decision relatively easy,” Peter Inch with Curling Canada says in a media release. "The South Okanagan will put on a great show, not only for the curlers and their families, but also for curling fans from across Canada, and I’m confident this will be an event remembered for years to come.”

For the first time in the history of the Scotties, there will be a 16 team field. There will be the 14 provincial and territorial champions and the defending Team Canada rink. Curling Canada is working on a qualifiying process to determine the 16th team. 

It's estimated the economic spinoff for the community will be about $6 million.

Tickets for the Canadian Women's Curling Championship will go on sale early in 2017.

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