2026 Brier Preview: 5 Key Questions as Brad Gushue's Curling Career Nears Its End
The stage is set for an emotional and historic 2026 Montana's Brier, where curling legend Brad Gushue will compete in his final national championship. The event begins Friday in his hometown of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, providing the perfect backdrop for what promises to be a memorable farewell to one of the sport's greatest competitors.
An Emotional Homecoming for a Curling Icon
Brad Gushue, the 45-year-old curling superstar, acknowledges the emotional weight of competing in his final Brier tournament in his own backyard. "I do believe the Brier this year is going to be a difficult one," Gushue stated, referring to both the competitive challenges and the sentimental journey ahead at Mary Brown's Centre over the next ten-plus days.
"Obviously, the teams we're going to compete against are going to be difficult," continued Gushue. "But the emotion that we're going to feel now that it's going to be the last one for me, to do it at home, that's going to be a pretty tough one."
Gushue and his team have been preparing for the flood of sentiment expected from both players and spectators throughout the event, which will crown a champion on March 8. "I can assure you, we're going to plan as much as we can and do whatever we can to make sure that we're prepared for that emotion and what we're going to feel," added Gushue. "But I'm excited about it, too."
Five Burning Questions for the 2026 Brier
As the curling world turns its attention to St. John's, here are the five most pressing questions surrounding Gushue's swan-song appearance at the national championship:
1) What Are Gushue's Championship Chances?
Despite announcing his retirement from competitive curling, Brad Gushue remains far from a ceremonial participant in this year's Brier. The curling icon will lead a legitimate contender aiming to reclaim the title he lost to Brad Jacobs in 2025 and potentially walk away from the sport with a championship victory.
Gushue isn't retiring because the game has passed him by—he remains among the world's elite curlers. The evidence lies in his recent success, being only two years removed from winning his last Brier championship. That victory defended titles from both 2022 and 2023, marking the sixth national championship of his illustrious career.
While the lineup has evolved slightly with Brendan Bottcher now playing second—replacing Brett Gallant and E.J. Harnden who helped secure those six Brier honors—the team continues to feature superstars Mark Nichols and Geoff Walker at lead. These constants have been with Gushue since the squad's first national triumph back in 2017 in St. John's, maintaining the team's status as a serious championship threat.
In fact, only last year's Brier finalists—gold medalist Brad Jacobs, fresh off Olympic victory, and Matt Dunstone—appear to have better odds at claiming the crown in this 97th edition of Canada's premier men's curling championship.
2) How Will Home-Field Advantage Impact Performance?
Competing in his hometown adds both pressure and motivation for Gushue's final Brier appearance. The local support could provide an emotional boost, but the expectations from hometown fans create additional challenges for the retiring champion.
3) Can Team Dynamics Overcome Emotional Distractions?
With this being Gushue's farewell tournament, maintaining focus amid the sentimental atmosphere presents a significant challenge. The team's ability to balance celebration with competition will be crucial to their success in the championship bracket.
4) What Legacy Will This Final Appearance Cement?
Gushue's career has already established him as one of curling's all-time greats, but a strong performance in his final Brier could elevate his legacy even further. A championship victory would provide the perfect storybook ending to an extraordinary career.
5) Who Represents the Biggest Competitive Threat?
Beyond Brad Jacobs and Matt Dunstone, several other elite teams will be vying for the national title. The competitive landscape of the 2026 Brier features numerous championship-caliber rinks capable of disrupting Gushue's farewell narrative.
As the curling community prepares for this historic event, all eyes will be on St. John's to witness whether Brad Gushue can complete his remarkable career with one final championship celebration in front of his hometown supporters.
