Competitors Guide – Fall Classic October 29 – November 1, 2026
Overview
The Women’s Fall Classic Bonspiel is a bonspiel for competitive female curlers. The event will run from October 29 – November 1, 2026 at the North Grenville Curling Club (NGCC) in Kemptville, ON. Kemptville is located 30 minutes south of Ottawa, 3.5 hours from Toronto and 2 hours from Montreal.
First Games will be scheduled on the morning of Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Format
The Fall Classic will be a triple knockout format with eight teams qualifying for the Sunday playoffs. Playoffs will be a single elimination format. All playoff teams will be awarded prize money. Teams will compete for a total prize purse of $27,000 based on a full draw of 24 teams.
At a minimum, the official draw and roster will be posted at https://fallclassic.ngcurling.org/ at least one week prior to the start of the competition.
If there are any delays due to unforeseen/unavoidable circumstances, NGCC will publish the reason for the delay and the estimated time of completion.
The official draw, including draw times, is subject to change after being published. If any changes are made, teams will be notified by email. Draw seedings will be based on World Curling and CTRS rankings as of October 13, 2026.
Any issues or concerns should be brought to the attention of the Event Chair or designate, whose decision will be final and unappealable.
Registration Procedure
Teams can apply to register by sending an email to [email protected]. The cost to register is $1150 per team.
The official rosters will be created as per the information submitted by the teams through the online registration process.
Teams are responsible to properly complete and verify their registration, which is confirmed by receipt of the email from Curling I/O Support with the subject of ‘Order Submitted – Curling I/O’. If you have received this confirmation, there is no need to contact the Event Chair.
NGCC must be notified of any changes to the roster (i.e. addition of a coach or alternate) by email to [email protected] . Roster or registration changes are not considered valid until verified by the Event Chair in writing.
The final registration deadline for the Fall Classic will be October 1, 2026. Event registration will not be confirmed until the entry fee has been received.
Teams are required to submit a team photo(s) and team bio to be used for promotional purposes at the time of registration.
Registration will include a buffet dinner on Thursday evening. It is mandatory that all teams attend either an early or late seating based on their schedule. This dinner will provide teams with an opportunity to meet with team and event sponsors.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Teams may withdraw from an event by emailing [email protected]. Teams withdrawing before October 1, 2026, will be given a 90% refund, if a replacement team is found. Teams withdrawing on or after October 1, 2026, will be given a 50% refund, if a replacement team is found.
Team Name
Team names will be the last name of the skip (the person that calls the game), unless requested otherwise.
Conduct
Competitors and coaches are required to conduct themselves on and off the ice in an appropriate manner and abide by the rules of the competition. The NGCC is a True Sport facility.
With the exception of non-mandatory coaches and 5th players, all competitors are required to attend any designated competition ceremonies when held in conjunction with the competition. If a competitor must be absent from the ceremonies because of illness, accident, or other extenuating circumstances, please inform the Event Chair.
Electronic Devices
In the playing area, no electronic devices of any type (e.g. cell phones, iPods, smartwatches, speed traps etc.) are allowed, except stopwatches which are approved at the discretion of the Event Chair. Coaches are permitted to use electronic devices during timeout and pre-event practices.
Team Meeting
At least one (1) team member or coach (as listed on the team roster) from each team must attend their meeting. The meeting will be scheduled one hour prior to the team’s first game (in the upper lounge) unless otherwise stated in the official schedule of events. At that time, any questions regarding officiating or rule interpretation should be presented for clarification.
Pre-Competition Practice and In-Competition Practice
Limited practice ice is available prior to the first games on Wednesday October 28, 2026. Practice ice should be reserved by emailing [email protected] . Practice ice may be available during the event for qualifying teams on a case-by-case basis.
Rules and Regulations
General
Curling is based on a code of ethics, fair play, and personal integrity. Players and coaches are expected to follow this tradition and the rules of the game throughout the competition.
The Fall Classic will be played under the “Rules of Curling for Officiated Play” as specified in the latest edition of the rulebook published by Curling Canada (CC) including all subsequent rule changes and interpretations adopted by Curling Canada as of the start of the competition. “Rules of Curling for Officiated Play” may be supplemented by rules in this Competitors’ Guide and/or the related Event Supplement for a specified event. This includes the adoption of the ‘no-tick’ rule.
Officiating
The Head Umpire or designate shall be named by the NGCC and is responsible for rule enforcement and interpretation.
Equipment
All brush heads, including ‘target’ brooms must be ‘WCF’ compliant, unless otherwise stated in the Event Supplement. It is the responsibility of the players and coaches to ensure compliance. Hair and corn brooms are banned as sweeping devices. Visit the WCF website for the up to date code list and for more details: https://worldcurling.org/competitions/brushes/ .
Each person must declare their one (1) sweeping device that will be used for the entire game and only that player may use that sweeping device. This declaration must take place prior to the first pre-game practice (brooms will not be marked).
A player may only change a brush head with approval from the Head Umpire or Designate.
A sweeping device broken during the game cannot be replaced, except at the sole discretion of the Head Umpire.
A substitute entering a game must use the sweeping device of the player they are replacing.
All equipment is subject to random inspection. Any equipment causing damage to the ice surface will be removed from play until the equipment is repaired to the satisfaction of the Head Umpire or designate.
Equipment penalties:
If a player uses an illegal brush head:
● for a 1st offense, the offending player is removed from the game and cannot continue in the Fall Classic – they can be replaced by the 5th or a spare.
● for a 2nd or subsequent offense, the entire team is disqualified from the Fall Classic.
If a player uses another player’s legal brush head, the stone is removed from play.
Game Duration
All games will be eight(8) ends in length. Teams must play a minimum of five ends. If a game is tied after eight ends, an extra end will be played (towards the glass) to determine the winner.
Players are expected to keep up a reasonable pace of play during competition (approximately 15 minutes per end). Pace of play will be monitored. Teams that fall behind an acceptable pace of place will be informed and monitored.
Should any game fall behind the next slowest game by a full end, an official shall inform both skips that they are behind the pace of play and are now subject to the “6 Minute rule”. Under the 6 minute rule, the official will time each rock from when the skip takes control of the house to when the rock crosses the near t-line. Teams will be allowed a total of 6 minutes of thinking time per end. If a team’s 6 minute time expires, that team will not be able to throw any additional rocks for that end. Each team will be able to use their remaining allowed time-outs while the 6 minute rule is in effect. The 6 minute rule shall be enforced until the game is back on pace. Should more than one game fall behind the pace of play, the 6 minute rule shall be implemented on the slowest game in the draw.
Time-outs
Each team may request two (2) timeouts per game. Each timeout will be 60 seconds in length and does not include any travel time for the coach or alternate to access the playing area. The coach or alternate player who requested the timeout may access the playing area adjacent to or at the end of the sheet but shall not access the playing surface. The team that did not call the timeout may communicate for the same amount of time as the coach who called the timeout, however, they must stay at the home end. They shall not cause any undue delay to the stone being delivered. No matter the amount of time taken by the team calling the timeout the opposing team/coach/alternate is entitled to a minimum of 30 seconds. Umpires may call a timeout at any time.
Extra Ends:
If extra ends are required, each team will be given one (1) timeout. Timeouts cannot be carried over.
Use of Spares
Any player registered with a team in this event may NOT spare for any other team at any time. Anyone not registered with a team for this event may:
● In the qualifying round, spare as many times as they wish for any number of teams.
● In the Championship Round spare ONLY for ONE team (as many times as they wish)
A team must play with at least 2 players registered with the team at all times.
Pre-Game Practice
Teams will flip a coin to determine the order of practice rocks and colour. The team winning the coin toss will have the choice of which team throws first practice stones and which turn their team will throw OR the choice of rock colour. This will take place 30 minutes before the game time in the presence of the Athlete Services Chair or designate.
Before all preliminary round games, teams are permitted three (3) practice stones and a 4th rock as their draw to the button stone to determine which team has the hammer. During practice throws, one team will throw in-turns and the other team will throw out-turns. The team with the closest draw will get the choice of hammer. Teams may choose either of the three (3) available measuring methods (tape, electronic laser or measuring stick) to measure for which stone is closest to the pinhole. Any tie determined by measuring will require a second team member to deliver a measurable stone, using the same turn. Both rocks covering the pinhole is considered a tie.
Before each game in the Championship Round played on Sunday each team is allowed a 5-minute practice. For games 1 Vs 8, 2 Vs 7 and 3 vs 6 the choice of hammer and rock colour goes to teams that qualified 1, 2 or 3 out of the A Event in the preliminary round. For teams with identical records (i.e., 4 vs 5 game) the same process used during the round robin will be used to determine rock colour and hammer.
Semi Final Rock Selections:
Teams playing on sheet 4 will have the opportunity to select rocks from sheets 4 and 5. Teams playing on sheet 2 will have the choice of rocks from sheets 1 and 2.
Finals Rock Selections:
Teams will have the choice of their respective colour of rocks from any sheet.
Practice sliding after completion of the practice is not allowed.
Players are asked to cool their equipment by standing behind the hack at the home end.
Alternate players are permitted to participate in pre-game practice.
Penalties and Rule Enforcement
All competitions are played under these rules, those contained in event supplements and the “Rules of Curling for Officiated Play” as specified in the latest edition of the rulebook published by Curling Canada, including all subsequent rule changes and interpretations adopted by Curling Canada as of the start of the competition.
Note: There are no warnings for any infraction unless it is stated in the rulebook or brought to your attention by the head umpire or designate prior to the start of competition. The head umpire or designate may suspend a player or coach from play. A suspended player may face other disciplinary action.
Safe Sport Policy
Creating a culture where everyone can thrive is a shared responsibility. Safe Sport Training was developed to help anyone involved in sport – whether you have direct contact with athletes or work in the background – to promote physical, psychological, and social health, in line with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport.
NGCC is pleased to work with our partners to implement all Safe Sport protocols. The Safe Sport program is an educational tool that will further our commitment to fostering a safe and fun environment for all participants.
All participants should complete the safe sport module within the last three years. You can learn more about Safe Sport training here: https://coach.ca/sport-safety/safe-sport-training
Drug Testing and Anti-Doping
Athletes must be aware that random drug testing may occur at this event. To identify what substances and recreational drugs are prohibited, please refer to the Sport Integrity Canada . For more information, refer to Curling Canada .
Suggested Accommodations
Sure Stay by Best Western (5 mins) 4022 County Rd 43 Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 (613) 258-5939 Bestwestern.com
Kemptville Suites (2 mins) 103 Clothier St E Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 (613) 215-0707 Kemptvillesuites.com
Hampton Inn and Suites (25 mins) 125 Lusk St Nepean, ON K2J 6S5 (613) 216-7829 Hilton.com
Quality Inn & Suites (28 Mins) 135 Prescott Centre Dr. Prescott, ON 613-342-1206
Billeting
Billeting can be requested and will be provided based on availability.
Meals and Hospitality
In addition to the Thursday dinner, healthy food options will be available for curlers throughout the event.
Authority
The North Grenville Curling Club (NGCC) has the authority to make decisions related to the Fall Classic as it considers necessary, to handle any situation not covered. A team may request a review of any situation directly to the Athlete Service Chair (or designate). Where possible and practical, the Athlete Services Chair (or designate) and the Ice and House Chair (or designate) will address the review and make a decision. Appeals can be made to the Event Chair who will make a final ruling according to all posted policies.