Montana’s Brier a True Canadian Tradition
By Brian Belcourt – North Simcoe Springwater News
The 2026 Montana Brier was held at the Mary Browns centre in St John’s Newfoundland and Labrador from February 27-March 8, 2026. A total of 18 teams participated in the event. The teams were put into two groups of 9 teams playing 8 round robin games. The top 3 teams from each group advanced too the page playoffs. This years Brier was well attended as hometown favorite Brad Gushue was playing in his final Brier. Team Gushue from Newfoundland came up short to the heartbreak of the local fans losing to Team Canada Brad Jacob in the playoff. When the Brier was done, the winning team Matt Dunstone out of the Granite CC, Winnipeg Manitoba defeating team Alberta Kevin Koe in the final. Team Dunstone will represent Canada at this year’s world championships in Ogden City, Utah.
The Brier determines the Canadian curling men’s champion. It has a long history first played in Toronto in 1927. The first championship was sponsored by the Macdonald Tobacco and won by Nova Scotia Murray Macneill. The first Brier had 8 teams, playing round robin format with games lasting 14 ends. The event was named after the Brier brand of tobacco pipes sold by the sponsor Macdonald Tobacco. The winning team received the Brier Tankard which is the same trophy awarded today.
The Brier has been held Annually since 1927, except for 1943-1945 for WW11. Over time the event expanded, more teams were added from provincial and territories. In 1980 a playoff format was introduced after the round robin. Team Canada was added as will as top-rated teams that make up the 18-team field in todays Brier. It is one of the oldest national championships in Canada with many champions going on to win World Championships.
Many famous Brier champions come from small towns and local curling clubs, such as Team Howard representing the Penetanguishene curling club. You had to win your local club playdowns, then regional to advance to the provincial tankard. By winning your provincial tankard and a purple heart you received the honour to represent your province at the Brier. It has been dominated by western teams from the prairies over its history.
The event is known for having fans from across the country attending each year. The Brier patch is the main party spot; supplying entertainment and refreshments to the fans attending. Attending a Brier allows you not only see great curling, but to socialize with other fans from across the county. Next years Brier will be held in Saskatoon Saskatchewan.