Bayside Curling Champion Previews 2026 U.S. Nationals

Tom Howell, the reigning U.S. curling champion, demonstrates the sport at a Milwaukee venue ahead of the national championships.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Tom Howell, a curling champion from Bayside, Wisconsin, visited a Milwaukee venue called The New Fashioned to demonstrate the sport of curling ahead of the 2026 U.S. Curling National Championships. Howell, who won the national title last year, discussed the upcoming tournament and how he moved to the Midwest to pursue curling at a competitive level.

Why it matters

Curling has gained popularity in recent years, especially during the Winter Olympics. The upcoming U.S. Nationals will showcase the top curling talent in the country, and Howell's appearance helps generate excitement and awareness for the sport at the local level.

The details

Howell, a Marquette University graduate, moved to Wisconsin to be closer to his curling teammates, who are primarily based in Minnesota. The New Fashioned venue in Milwaukee's Deer District now offers curling rentals, featuring modified stones with wheels for outdoor play on non-ice surfaces. While different from traditional ice curling, the outdoor version provides an accessible way for locals to experience the sport.

  • Howell won the national championship with his team in Duluth, Minnesota last January.
  • The national championships begin on Monday, February 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • The ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics feature women's tournament semifinals between Team USA and Switzerland, as well as a bronze medal match between Norway and Switzerland in the men's tournament.

The players

Tom Howell

A curling champion from Bayside, Wisconsin who won the national title last year and is preparing to compete in the 2026 U.S. Curling National Championships.

The New Fashioned

A venue in Milwaukee's Deer District that now offers curling rentals, featuring modified stones with wheels for outdoor play on non-ice surfaces.

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What they’re saying

“It rolls right from the Olympic excitement into our US national championship.”

— Tom Howell, Curling Champion (TMJ4 News)

“I needed to be in the Midwest to take it seriously. I fell in love with Milwaukee and found my home here, and now I'm stuck here for good reasons.”

— Tom Howell, Curling Champion (TMJ4 News)

What’s next

The 2026 U.S. Curling National Championships will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina starting on Monday, February 24, 2026, featuring eight men's teams and eight women's teams competing for the title.

The takeaway

Curling's growing popularity is evident as the sport continues to captivate audiences during the Winter Olympics. Howell's appearance in Milwaukee showcases how the sport is becoming more accessible to local communities, with venues like The New Fashioned offering modified versions of the game for outdoor play.