Rio Mare Battle of the Sexes: What you need to know
Curling’s titans are set to clash in an unforgettable matchup for charity at the first-ever Rio Mare Battle of the Sexes presented by The Curling Group.
Women’s world No. 1 Team Homan (Canada) takes on men’s world No. 1 Team Mouat (Scotland) on Monday at 7 p.m. ET at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre.
Heading to the game or watching from home? Here are some key things you need to know!
IN-VENUE INFO
Doors open at Mattamy Athletic Centre at 6 p.m. As it is a sold-out, general admission event, we encourage fans to arrive early to get the seat they want. Fans with a ticket are welcome to any seat in the house, including up-close and personal viewing in the on-ice lounge.
Make sure to show your team pride as there will be giveaways throughout the evening for the most enthusiastic fans.
Stick around after the game as Team Homan will be holding an autograph session with fans on the concourse level.
WATCHING FROM HOME
Fans can watch the game live (for free!) on the Grand Slam of Curling website, App, and YouTube, featuring commentary from Olympic gold medallist Jennifer Jones, three-time world champion Brent Laing, and special guest commentator Devin Heroux.
Follow the Grand Slam of Curling on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X for additional behind-the-scenes content with commentator John Cullen.
IT’S A SKINS GAME — WITH A FEW TWISTS
The Rio Mare Battle of the Sexes will be played as an eight-end format. Teams play to win the end, not to accumulate a total score. Each end is worth $1,000 towards the team’s charity of choice.
Here’s your skins game refresher:
• The team that has the hammer must score at least two points to win the end.
• The team without the hammer must steal at least one point to win the end.
• If neither team wins the end, the end is blanked, and the marker carries over until an end is won.
• If neither team wins the final end, a draw to the button determines the winner of that end (i.e., skips’ rocks).
THE TWIST: SWEEP SWAP!
In recognition that sweeping in the men’s and women’s games differs, Team Mouat has agreed to use “soft foams” for their brooms, and we’ve added a unique equalizer.
Two times in the game (between ends 1-4 and 5-8) on non-skip stones, Team Homan can strategically call a “Sweep Swap” where Team Mouat’s brooms will be switched out with Brownie Brooms (provided by Team Homan).
As for an additional twist … stay tuned for the beginning of the draw!
IN THE NAME OF CHARITY
The competition will be fierce as much as it is fun but remember that this is all in the name of charity and raising funds to causes close to Team Homan and Team Mouat’s hearts.
In addition to their winnings from the skins game, a portion of ticket sales will go to each charity.
Team Homan has chosen the Sandra Schmirler Foundation to help babies born too soon, too small, too sick, or too far. Since 2001, the Foundation has raised and given over $9 million to purchase life-saving equipment for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in over 105 hospitals in every Canadian province and territory.
Team Mouat has chosen Charlie Boy’s Cancer Fundraiser. Charlie is a close friend of Team Mouat who is currently battling with Stage 4 nodular malignant melanoma (form of skin cancer). Team Mouat is joining Charlie’s fight to raise funds for research and development leading to more trials, as well as raising awareness of this rare disease.