What is the curling power play? Explaining the rules of Winter Olympics sport - Mixed doubles returns to the programme in Milano-Cortina, with the power play a crucial element of the discipline

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 scoring, explained: A guide to understanding the rules, terms and Olympic points system originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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 ...

The hammer is a crucial part of curling. The team that has the hammer is able to throw the final stone of each end, generally a significant advantage, with all other stones thrown and the current scoring situation clear.