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.

Scoring an End: A game is divided into rounds called ends, typically eight or 10 per match. Once all 16 stones (eight per team) have been played, the team with the stone closest to the button scores one point for every stone that is closer to the centre than the opponent’s best stone.

While curling is considered to be a calm and respectful sport, it has been making headlines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

If your social media feeds have been flooded with curling drama this week, here’s why. A cheating accusation at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy escalated from an on-ice confrontation to an international rules crisis — and then collapsed — in roughly three days. The whole saga sounds like a mockumentary plot, but every bit of it happened.

TEAM GB is a curling powerhouse, represented across all three disciplines and boasting the No 1 ranked men’s team at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The sport requires a unique combination of

Curling is a team sport at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics for women, men, mixed doubles, and mixed wheelchair teams.

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.

The 2026 Winter Olympics have proven not to be entirely ice cool - with the curling competition rocked by allegations of "cheating".

Scoring an End: Matches are split into rounds termed ends, usually eight or 10 per game. After all 16 stones (eight per side) have been delivered, the team whose stone sits nearest the button earns one point for each stone positioned closer to the centre than their rivals' closest stone.