The Curling Group Enters Next Growth Phase as Olympic Momentum Builds Toward Planned Series A
TORONTO, ON – February 13, 2026 – The Curling Group (TCG) is entering its next growth phase following a surge in global engagement tied to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, positioning the company for its next institutional growth phase as it prepares to launch Rock League, the first professional curling league, in April 2026, and pursue a planned Series A round.
Backed by $11.3 million in capital raised during its seed round, the company has spent the last two years scaling the infrastructure behind a category-defining sports platform spanning ownership of curling’s premier international tour, a direct-to-consumer media ecosystem, and a global team league. That foundation has already translated into tangible growth, including new distribution partners, expanded global reach, and the operational buildout required for Rock League’s April 2026 launch.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games reinforced curling’s untapped global commercial potential. According to a scan of social and digital activity conducted via Talkwalker during the first week of competition, more than 53% of all online curling engagement originated from the United States. That surge was driven in part by Minnesota’s Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse, whose silver medal performance in Mixed Doubles generated engagement peaks comparable to major-market sports moments. Both athletes will represent Frontier Curling Club during Rock League’s inaugural season, linking Olympic visibility directly to the professional product launching this spring.
"The Olympics shine a spotlight on curling every four years, but we're building something that captures that magic 365 days a year," said Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group. "This data validates what we've seen in our data: there's a massive, underserved global audience hungry for elite curling competition and content. Rock League will deliver that with a professional product designed for the next generation of curling fans."
TCG's portfolio includes the Grand Slam of Curling event series, owned-and-operated streaming platform Rock Channel, merchandise and content properties, and Rock League, the world's first professional curling league, set to launch in April 2026.
Across those assets, audience growth has accelerated year over year. Over the past season, Rock Channel streaming increased 168%, web traffic doubled to more than 2 million users, and social media impressions rose 230%. The Grand Slam of Curling secured the most international broadcast partners in its history, including its first U.S. media partner, FanDuel Sports Network. The women’s final of the KIOTI GSOC Tahoe drew 316,000 viewers on Sportsnet, ranking among Canada’s top broadcasts that day alongside NHL and NFL programming.
Rock League represents the next step in the company’s strategy. The league will debut with six global franchises featuring mixed-gender teams and many of the sport’s top-ranked athletes. All four competitors from the Milano Cortina Olympic mixed doubles gold medal match have signed with the league, including Dropkin and Thiesse.
"Rock League is the next step in executing our long-term strategy," Sulsky said. "We’ve proven the model across media, events, and global competition. Our next phase is scaling that foundation through franchise growth, expanded distribution, and deeper institutional partnerships."
The league has secured exclusive Canadian broadcast coverage with CBC Sports and counts NFL standouts George Kittle and T.J. Hockenson, along with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jared Allen, among its investors.
About The Curling Group
The Curling Group (TCG) is a sports business venture dedicated to revolutionizing the sport of curling through strategic investments and a commitment to innovation and content production. In 2024, The Curling Group acquired the Grand Slam of Curling event series, including global media rights. In April 2026, The Curling Group will launch Rock League, curling’s first-ever global professional league
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Cram, jennifercram@thecurlinggroup.com, The Curling Group
Jackson Gaskins, Thecurlinggroup@hotpaperlantern.com, The Curling Group