A person sliding the stone down the ice is easy enough to comprehend, but when the sweepers begin vigorously brushing the ice in front of it to help guide the stone without touching it, that’s when most of the excitement -- and confusion -- begins.

Here's everything you need to know about curling ahead of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, including the rules, regulations and what to watch for.

Curling is often called “chess on ice” for good reason. The Olympic sport blends strategy, physics and teamwork as two teams slide 42-pound granite stones down a 150-foot sheet of ice toward a target called the house — a set of concentric circles ...

Curling sparks curiosity each Winter Olympics cycle. Learn more about the format, rules, scoring and other elements now.

The games are too long, scaring away younger fans with ever-diminishing attention spans. There is too much standing around between spurts of activity. And the unpredictable duration makes it difficult for TV networks to plan for a predictable broadcast window.

It’s the first event at this year’s Winter Olympics - and all eyes will be on the two Scots competing for Team GB.