How Long Is A Curling Game?
In curling, games consist of ends where teams alternate throwing stones down the sheet. The number of ends played in a game can vary based on the curling club, league, or bonspiel. Most curling games last a total of eight or ten ends. Each end typically takes about 15 minutes, meaning each game will last upwards of two hours.
Eight End Games
Eight end games are the most common amongst local curling clubs and usually take about two hours to play. This assumes that an end can be completed in 15 minutes. As a new curler, you will most likely be playing curling games that last eight ends.
For curling clubs that play on arena ice (which is not specifically dedicated to curling), it is important to set up the ice quickly so that all eight ends can fit into the curling club’s ice time slot. There are some cases in which eight ends cannot be completed due to timing restrictions.
Ten End Games
Ten end games are the most common for competitive national and international play and usually take about two and a half hours to play, with 15 minutes per end budgeted. As a new curler, you will probably not play ten end games. However, you will definitely see them on television. In national and international play, men's and women's curling utilize ten end games.
This estimate of two and a half hours does not account for the break after the fifth end or any timeouts that may be called during the game. Thus, a ten end game of curling with these additional time factors can last up to three hours.
Mixed Doubles Format
There is a new format of curling called mixed doubles. This format involves one male and one female player. Instead of throwing eight stones, only five are thrown per team per end. Out of all of the competitive curling formats, mixed doubles is the only one that lasts eight ends. Considering that fewer stones are being thrown and fewer ends are being played, these games are usually completed in under two hours.
Thinking Time
In competitive curling, a clock known as “thinking time” is used to ensure that no team takes an unnecessarily long amount of time. Each team has its own clock that will start for one team once the other team’s stone comes to rest. It will then stop as they deliver their next stone. The thinking time clock is meant to move the game along rather than hurry or rush players.
The standard amount of thinking time per team is 38 minutes for ten end games, 30 minutes for eight end games, and 22 minutes for mixed doubles. However, different leagues and organizations vary in how much thinking time is given. This helps keep games typically between two and three hours. If a team runs out of thinking time, they either will have to forfeit the match or allow the other team to throw their remaining stones.
Extra Ends
If a curling game is tied after the completion of the predetermined amount of ends, extra ends will be played. While usually only one extra end is required, games can last as many extra ends as needed to determine a winner. The rule for thinking time is that each team will receive five minutes to complete each extra end.
FAQ
How many ends are there in Olympic curling?
In Olympic men’s and women’s curling, each game is played up to ten ends. The mixed doubles format, which was introduced into the Olympic program in 2018, is played over eight ends. For both formats, extra ends are played if there is a tie until a winner can be declared.
Are there intermissions during a curling game?
Yes, there are intermissions during a curling game. Similar to a halftime intermission in other sports, there is a five-minute break after the fifth end in men’s and women’s curling and after the fourth end in mixed doubles. While these breaks are much shorter than intermissions in other sports, they allow teams to regroup and strategize for the second half of the game.
How long does an end normally last in curling?
In general, a curling end will last around 15 minutes. Some ends can last longer than others, especially if timeouts are used or a lot of thinking time is needed. Since only ten total stones are thrown in mixed doubles curling, as opposed to the 16 in men’s and women’s, mixed doubles ends typically last closer to ten minutes.