Entry Instructions and Playdown Format for Men’s and Women’s Clubs; Women’s and Men’s Arena Clubs; Mixed; and U-18 Juniors State Championships
All Minnesota Curling Association curlers who are also members of the USCA
are encouraged to enter these challenging competitions!
♦ Championship Entry and Registration
• All registration must be done online through the USCA website: USA Curling Playdown Registration
Note: USA Curling will not allow any exception of the entry deadlines! All entry documents must be received at their office by the deadline dates. Teams are encouraged to submit all entry documents to the USA Curling office at least two weeks in advance of the appropriate deadline.
• The team registration process is determined by USA Curling Qualifying Procedures.
• Full payment of entry fees plus any applicable regional fees must be submitted before the announced deadline.
Team uniforms are not required for the Regional (Minnesota state) Playdowns. Uniform dress code rules may be imposed at the National level and will be protocol at the World competition level.
♦ Championship Play
The Event Procedures Document (EPD) will be provided to participating teams prior to the event and, if deemed necessary, will supersede the general event procedures outlined here.
• Each United States Region has the discretion to conduct its regional playdowns in a format best benefitting competing athletes and host clubs.
• Rules of play are governed by the World Curling Federation’s Rules of Curling.
• If at the end of round-robin / pool play there is a tie in the team standings, WCF Rules of Curling (specifically, item C9-b) will prevail.
Sweeping brushes must be in compliance with World Curling Federation specifications. For more information on approved sweeping devices, click HERE.
♦ Championship Formats
Participating team pools / brackets will be peer-seeded prior to the start of the event.
Less than 10 teams = single team is outright winner unless two or more teams tie
• 2 teams – best three out of five games
• 3-4 teams – double round-robin
• 5-9 teams – single round-robin
10-14 teams = split round-robin of two pools with semifinals and finals
• top two teams from each pool advance to semifinals
15-21 teams = split round-robin of three pools with quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals
• top two teams from each pool advance
• 4-rock shootout between top three teams will determine the top two teams to advance directly to the semifinals, remaining four teams play quarter-finals
22-28 teams – split round-robin of four pools with semifinals and finals
• top team from each pool advances to the semifinals
29+ teams – modified triple knockout
• standard tournament bracket
• a team losing a total of three games is eliminated from the competition