In Olympic curling, standard men's and women's matches consist of 10 ends, while mixed doubles uses 8 ends.

Core Rules

Olympic curling games follow a fixed structure to ensure fair play. Teams alternate throwing eight stones per end in men's and women's events, aiming to position them closest to the center "button" in the house. Only the team with the stone nearest the button scores—one point per stone closer than the opponent's nearest stone—and games proceed through all 10 ends unless a team concedes early. Ties trigger an extra end (or more if needed), keeping the excitement high until a winner emerges.

Event Variations

Different formats adapt the end count for balance and pace:

  • Men's and Women's : Always 10 ends, with eight stones per team per end.
  • Mixed Doubles : Shortened to 8 ends, each team throws six stones (recent updates confirm five in some contexts, but standard is six total).

This setup has been consistent since curling's full Olympic debut in 1998, with refinements for Milano Cortina 2026.

Format| Ends Played| Stones per Team per End| Tiebreaker
---|---|---|---
Men's/Women's 37| 10| 8| Extra end(s)
Mixed Doubles 17| 8| 6| Extra end(s)

Strategy Highlights

Each end demands precision—leads clear paths, seconds refine position, vice- skips measure shots, and skips call plays with the "hammer" (last stone advantage). Sweeping extends stone travel, turning ice into a strategic battlefield. A team might score up to eight points in one end, but one is common; trailing teams often concede mid-game to save energy.

2026 Olympics Context

As of February 2026, Milano Cortina rules mirror past Games, blending tradition with tech like refined ice sensors. No major changes to end counts reported, keeping the sport accessible yet tactical—perfect for newcomers watching Team USA or underdogs vie for gold.

TL;DR: 10 ends for standard Olympic curling, 8 for mixed doubles—scoring per end decides the champ.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.