World Curling Backs Off After Olympic Drama, Reduces Referee Oversight

The governing body of the sport rushed to address a growing controversy and slow down the pace of rule changes.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The drama of curling at the Winter Olympics prompted the sport's governing body to quickly address a growing controversy and slow down the pace of rule changes. The World Curling Federation announced it will reduce the level of referee oversight and video review in future events, after a number of high-profile disputes and rulings that drew criticism from players and fans.

Why it matters

Curling has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, especially after high-profile events like the Olympics. However, the sport's governing body faced backlash over perceived heavy-handed officiating and a lack of transparency in rulings. This move is an attempt to address those concerns and make the sport more player-focused.

The details

The World Curling Federation said it will scale back the use of video review and on-ice umpires at its events, returning to a more traditional model where skips have more control over gameplay and disputes. The changes come after several controversial calls at the 2026 Winter Olympics that left players and fans frustrated with the level of oversight.

  • The changes were announced on February 17, 2026.
  • The new officiating model will be implemented starting with the 2026-27 curling season.

The players

World Curling Federation

The international governing body for the sport of curling.

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What they’re saying

“We heard the feedback loud and clear from players, coaches and fans. The focus needs to be on the athletes and their skill, not constant video reviews and umpire interventions.”

— Kate Caithness, President, World Curling Federation (World Curling Federation press release)

The takeaway

This move by the World Curling Federation is an acknowledgement that the sport had become too focused on officiating and rule enforcement, rather than celebrating the athleticism and strategy of the players. By dialing back the oversight, the hope is to make curling more player-driven and enjoyable for both participants and spectators.