As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina approach, understanding the nuances of curling scoring is essential for fans and new players alike. While the “chess on ice” may look complex, the fundamental scoring system relies on a simple principle: proximity to the center of the target, known as the “house.”
The Basics: How Points Are Awarded
In curling, only one team can score in any given “end” (similar to an inning in baseball). A team earns one point for every stone that is closer to the button (the exact center of the house) than the opponent’s best stone. To be eligible for scoring, a stone must be at least touching the outer 12-foot ring of the house.
For example, if Team Red has two stones closer to the center than Team Blue’s best stone, Team Red scores two points for that end. If no stones are in the house at the conclusion of an end, the result is a “blank end,” and the score remains 0-0.
Key Scoring Rules and 2026 Updates
- The House: The scoring area consists of four concentric circles. A stone is considered “in” if any part of it overhangs the outer edge of the 12-foot circle.
- The Hammer: The team that does not score in the previous end receives the “hammer,” meaning they deliver the final stone of the next end—a significant strategic advantage.
- Game Length: Standard Olympic matches consist of 10 ends, while many Grand Slam and club events have moved to an 8-end format to increase the pace of play.
- New Blanking Rules: Recent 2025-26 season updates in professional circuits like the Grand Slam of Curling have restricted teams to only one blank end per game to encourage more aggressive scoring.
Measuring for Accuracy
When stones are too close to determine the winner by sight, officials use a specialized measuring device. According to World Curling regulations updated for 2025, the official radius used for these measurements is 142 mm. If the stones are still tied after a measurement, the end is declared scoreless.
Mixed Doubles and Positioned Stones
In the Mixed Doubles format—which kicks off the Olympic curling schedule—scoring remains the same, but the setup differs. Each end begins with two “positioned stones” already on the ice: one guard and one stone in the back of the house. These stones are eligible to score just like any stone delivered during play.
As of February 07 2026, teams are focusing heavily on “end management” strategy. Public insights from veteran skips suggest that scoring two points with the hammer is the primary goal, while “forcing” the opponent to score only a single point when they have the hammer is considered a defensive victory.