The Stones Head to Uiseong... Nationwide Curling Battles Ignite the Spring Ice

Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province is once again drawing attention as the center stage for curling across the country. The county announced that the 3rd Uiseong County Governor’s National Curling Tournament will be held at the Uiseong Curling Center from April 10 to 21, 2026. This national-level competition is co-hosted by Uiseong County and the Korea Curling Federation, and organized by the Uiseong County Governor’s National Curling Tournament Organizing Committee.

Strengthening the Status as a Sports City and Revitalizing Local Businesses: Held at Uiseong Curling Center until the 21st

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This year’s event will feature 42 teams and 275 participants, including workplace teams from across the nation and student teams from elementary, middle, and high schools, who will compete fiercely over 12 days. The elementary division will be held from April 10 to 12, the middle and high school division from April 11 to 15, and the general division from April 17 to 21. The opening ceremony is scheduled for April 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Uiseong Curling Center.

In particular, top workplace teams such as Uiseong County Office, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Gangwon Provincial Government, Gangneung City Government, North Gyeongsang Sports Council, and Jeonbuk Provincial Government are set to participate, raising expectations for high-level matches. With student athletes who represent the future of Korean curling also joining, this year’s tournament is poised to become a nationwide curling festival where different generations and skill levels come together.

The tournament holds significant symbolic value as well. The Uiseong County Governor’s National Curling Tournament has established itself as a leading event that goes beyond a local sports gathering, serving to broaden the base of the sport and discover promising new talent. In fact, at the previous second tournament, North Gyeongsang Sports Council won the men’s division, and Gangneung City Government claimed victory in the women’s division, underscoring their status as the nation’s strongest teams.

Uiseong has long built up its curling infrastructure, solidifying its reputation as the “mecca of curling” in Korea. This tournament once again brings together top athletes and rising prospects from across the nation, providing a platform for competition and reaffirming Uiseong’s status as the center of Korean curling.

The tournament is also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. The influx of athletes and officials is likely to boost business for local hotels and restaurants, bringing renewed vitality to the area’s commercial sector. All matches will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel “Curling Hanspoon,” allowing fans who cannot attend in person to watch the games in real time.

Interior of Uiseong Girls' High School Curling Rink

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Ju-su Kim, the Governor of Uiseong County, stated, “As we mark the third Uiseong County Governor’s National Curling Tournament, I hope it will be a stage where athletes can fully demonstrate their skills and a venue for exchange and friendship among the nation’s curling community. We will continue to actively support Uiseong’s status as the center of Korean curling.”

This tournament is especially meaningful as a comprehensive event that simultaneously strengthens sports competitiveness and the local brand. With matches on the ice serving not only as a competition of records but also as a driving force for developing local sports assets and economic impact, Uiseong’s curling strategy is expected to draw even greater attention.

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