FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 31, 2018

Spokane named host city for 2020 National Championships

(STEVENS POINT, Wis.) – USA Curling’s top event will head to Spokane, Wash., in 2020 marking the first time the Men’s and Women’s National Championships will take place in the Lilac City.

The event will take place Feb. 8-15, 2020, at Eastern Washington University Recreation Center.

“We are excited to be bringing these championships to Spokane, not only because we are confident it will be a world-class event, but also because we constantly strive to help curling thrive in new areas around the country,” said Rick Patzke, chief executive officer, USA Curling. “The genesis of the Lilac City Curling Club is rooted in exposure of the sport in the 2010 Olympics and knowledge from Spokanites who had curled there previously. The support from the Spokane Sports Commission and Eastern Washington University make this a unique opportunity to bring the best curling athletes in the USA there to showcase the sport, and we can’t wait for February 2020.”

The weeklong national event features the top men’s and women’s teams in the country and helps determine Team USA for the subsequent World Championships. The 2020 World Women’s Championship will take place in Canada while the 2020 World Men’s Championship heads to the sport’s home country – Scotland. The 2019 Nationals are taking place in February at Wings Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“Spokane is proud to be chosen for USA Curling National Championships in 2020,” says Eric Sawyer, CEO of Spokane Sports Commission. “What an exciting time for the sport, with continuous growth and popularity worldwide. Spokane will pair nicely with the crowd-pleasing culture of curling. We are a friendly and welcoming sports destination and we can’t wait to create an exceptional experience for both athletes and spectators.”

Spokane is no stranger to hosting national events. The city will host the USA Track and Field National Club Cross Country Championships this December and has a long resume of hosting successful national events.

About the Spokane Sports Commission

The Spokane Sports Commission actively recruits national sports events to the region while developing local clubs and advocating for local sports facility development—all with the goal of making Spokane a prime destination for sports.

Links:

USA Curling, www.usacurl.org

Spokane Sports Commission, http://www.spokanesports.org/

USA Curling is sponsored by AtomOS, Nike, Brooms Up Curling Supplies, Carhartt, CryoMAX 8-Hour Cold Pack, Sitrin, The RAM Restaurant & Brewery, Thorne, BalancePlus, ISS (Ice, Sports & Solar), and Twin Cities Orthopedics, and is partnered with Carhartt, Brakebush, Laurie Artiss Ltd. – The Pin People, United Airlines, 12th End Sports Network, IHG, and CurlingZone.

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For more information:

Terry Davis, USA Curling, Director of Communications, terry.davis@usacurl.org, 608-338-9900 (mobile)

Dana Haynes, Spokane Sports Commission, Media, danah@spokanesports.org, 509-990-5611