Frequently Asked Questions and Important Dates
This information is available on the Bonspiel website and will be updated there as details are finalized. Below are key
highlights from the webpage:
Key Dates
- Monday, August 3 — Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. Central for all divisions.
- Tuesday, August 4 — Wait-listed teams are notified of their status.
- Monday, August 17 — Late-fill registration closes for qualifying divisions only, if spots remain available.
- Friday, August 28 — Bonspiel begins.
Travel and Schedule
What are the first and last draw times?
Based on full registration, we expect the schedule to begin and end as follows: - First draw: 12:00 p.m. Friday, August 28
- Last draw: 11:30 a.m. Sunday, August 30
If the bonspiel does not fill, the first draw on Friday may move to a later time.
Registration and Wait List
Is late registration possible?
Maybe. If the bonspiel is not full after wait-listed teams are confirmed following the August 3 deadline, we will accept
late registration through August 17 for qualifying divisions only. Late registration is not available for the Open / Non-
Qualifying division.
For example, if the field stands at 22 teams on August 4 after wait-listed teams have been added, we may accept up to two
additional qualifying teams by August 17.
When will wait-listed registrations be confirmed?
On August 4, we will confirm wait-listed registrations, notify teams that have been added to the field, and request
payment from those teams. Registrations will be confirmed in the order received until the field is full.
Divisions and Eligibility
My team will compete in a future regional playdown. Which division can we enter?
If your team plans to compete in a regional arena playdown before this bonspiel, register in the appropriate qualifying
division—men’s or women’s—and let us know about your playdown plans.
If you win your regional playdown, your team will move to the Open / Non-Qualifying division wait list so preference can
be given to arena teams that have not yet earned a championship berth. If you do not win your playdown, you will remain
in your qualifying division and stay eligible to earn the nationals berth from this bonspiel.
My team is not competing in a regional playdown. Can we still enter a qualifying division?
Yes. The qualifying divisions are open to any teams made up of curlers who are eligible to compete in the arena national
championship. Teams do not need to have competed in a regional playdown.
Can a team that already qualified for nationals register?
Yes. Teams that have already qualified for the 2026 USA Curling Arena National Championships—including returning
2025 Arena National Champions and 2026 regional playdown winners—may register in the Open / Non-Qualifying
division. Teams in this division may compete in the bonspiel but are not eligible to receive an arena nationals berth.
My team registered in a qualifying division but won our regional playdown. Can we get a refund if we do not attend?
If your attendance depends on the result of a regional playdown, register in your qualifying division and include a note
during registration explaining your timeline. You do not need to pay until your registration is confirmed.
Out of courtesy to other teams, please let us know your decision no later than August 3. This gives us time to fill the field
from the wait list, if needed, while still allowing replacement teams to make travel arrangements. If you have already paid
and will not attend because you earned a berth through regional playdowns, we will refund your payment.
Teams that have already secured an arena nationals berth may still register in the Open / Non-Qualifying division.
Can teams with mixed regions, mixed genders, or dedicated-ice curlers register?
Yes. Teams with curlers from multiple regions may register in the Open / Non-Qualifying division. These teams may
compete in the bonspiel but are not eligible to receive an arena nationals berth.
Yes. Mixed-gender teams may register in the Open / Non-Qualifying division. These teams may compete in the bonspiel
but are not eligible to receive an arena nationals berth.
Yes. Teams with dedicated-ice curlers may register in the Open / Non-Qualifying division. These teams may compete in
the bonspiel but are not eligible to receive an arena nationals berth.
Do I need to belong to a USA Curling Member Club to compete in a qualifying division?
Yes. Qualifying divisions are available only to curlers who belong to USA Curling Member Clubs.
The Open / Non-Qualifying division does not have a club membership requirement.
Do I need a USA Curling “Competitor” membership to compete in a qualifying division?
No. You do not need a “Competitor” membership to compete in a qualifying division. However, if your team wins the
berth, you must upgrade to “Competitor” status to compete in arena nationals. The Open / Non-Qualifying division has no
membership requirement.
Where can I find more information about arena nationals eligibility?
To receive the arena nationals berth, all members of the top-finishing teams in the men’s and women’s qualifying
divisions must be eligible to compete in the arena national championship.
For more information about individual eligibility for the USA Curling Arena National Championship, refer to the USA
Curling Qualifying Procedures.
Equipment
Are WCF-approved brush heads required?
Yes. To ensure fair competition, WCF-approved brush heads are required in the qualifying divisions.
For more information about approved brush heads and fabrics, see the WCF Specification for Brushes.
WCF-approved brush heads are not required in the Open / Non-Qualifying division.
Payment and Questions
When and how do we pay for registration?
When your registration is confirmed, we will send payment details. We accept personal checks, major credit cards, Apple
Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo.
I have a question that is not answered here. Who should I contact?
Please contact the bonspiel committee by email at bonspiel@lacrossecurlingclub.com or by phone at 608-788-0595. We
will get back to you as soon as we can.
