About the event
World class mixed doubles in Eau Claire
The Eau Claire Curling Club is proud to host the 2026 World Mixed Doubles Playdown. The winner will represent the United States at the 2027 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship in Lohja, Finland, January 4 to 10, 2027.
Free for everyone: Admission is free and open to the public, so stop in for a draw or stay all weekend. New to curling? Learn a little about the sport before you visit.
Learn more about curlingThe field
Eight teams, one spot on Team USA
Teams earned their places through national rankings and a playoff. After a full round robin, the top teams advance to a semifinal and a best of three final.
Olympic silver medalists
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin
The reigning Olympic silver medalists headline this year's field.
Local favorite
Allory Johnson and Caden Hebert
Eau Claire Curling Club Member Caden Hebert also skips the reigning World Junior Men's Champions.
Bassiri/Kadlec
Bear/Oldenburg
Fenson/Stopera
Hamilton/Hamilton
Podoll/Parry
Vaydich/Macomber
Draw schedule
Five days of competition
All times are Central. The full schedule with sheet assignments and matchups for every draw is available as a PDF.
Follow along live. The USA Curling Event Hub has live schedules, scores, standings and more throughout the event.
Open the Event HubOctober 28
Wednesday
2:30 PM Round Robin 1
8:00 PM Round Robin 2
October 29
Thursday
12:00 PM Round Robin 3
7:00 PM Round Robin 4
October 30
Friday
9:00 AM Round Robin 5
2:30 PM Round Robin 6
7:30 PM Round Robin 7
October 31
Saturday
9:00 AM Tiebreaker, if needed
2:00 PM Semifinal
7:30 PM Final, Game 1
November 1 · Championship
Sunday
10:00 AM Final, Game 2
4:00 PM Final, Game 3, if needed
Volunteer
Events like this need your help
An event of this size relies on volunteers. Choose a role and sign up for the shifts that work for you.
Timer
Timing comes with the best seat in the house. New timers are welcome and will be trained, and a refresher course will be offered for returning timers.
Sign up to timeLevel II Official
Serve as a game umpire or timing supervisor. Requires the USA Curling Level I and Level II officiating courses.
Sign up to officiateClub Ambassador
Greet and assist teams and guests, help at the bar, and pitch in with end of day cleanup, all while watching amazing curling.
Sign up as an AmbassadorIce Crew
Help our ice technicians prepare and maintain championship ice before and during the event. Ice crew has its own signup.
Sign up for ice helpQuestions about volunteering? Email Event Chair Fred Fetzer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Lodging
Stay nearby
We have secured room blocks with special rates at three hotels near the Club, open to participants and spectators alike. These properties made the special rates possible, so we encourage you to support them.
Book early. Each hotel holds its rate only until its room block deadline, and deadlines may differ. Booking late? Call the hotel, explain you are attending the World Mixed Doubles Playdown, and ask for the room block rate.
7 minutes from the Club
Holiday Inn Eau Claire South
$121 King or Two Queen
Full service hotel close to many restaurants. Breakfast is not included.
Book at Holiday Inn7 minutes from the Club
Candlewood Suites Eau Claire
$120 King Studio
$130 Two Queen Studio
Extended stay hotel next to the Holiday Inn South, with larger rooms and a full kitchen. Breakfast is not included.
Book at Candlewood Suites11 minutes from the Club
Residence Inn by Marriott
$109 King Studio
$149 Two Queen Suite
Spacious extended stay hotel with a fully equipped kitchen. Free breakfast is included.
Book at Residence InnVisit Eau Claire has more on area attractions, dining, and events.
Event details
Good to know
Food and beverages
Beverages are available for purchase throughout the event. Food service will not be offered.
Competition
Competition details are covered in the Event Procedures Document, which will be sent to teams separately.
Officials
Chief Umpire Steve Scheel
Deputy Chief Umpire Erin Krug
USA Curling Representative Phill Drobnick
Event staff
Event Chair Fred Fetzer
Ice Technicians Shawn Olesen and Jason Card
Supported by Club Members and friends
Find us
Eau Claire Curling Club
Inside the Eau Claire County Expo Building
5530 Fairview Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Plenty of parking in our lot. The entrance is on the west side of the building, and it's hard to miss.
Get directionsQuestions?
For anything about the event, email Event Chair Fred Fetzer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
On behalf of the Eau Claire Curling Club, we look forward to hosting a great event and appreciate your support!
