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Rules, Scoring & the New Mixed Doubles Format Debuting at Milano-Cortina 2026
Last updated: March 3, 2026
Wheelchair curling follows the same fundamental scoring as regular curling — the team with stones closest to the center of the house scores points each end. But two critical differences transform the strategy entirely: no sweeping (players cannot influence the stone after release) and delivery sticks replace the traditional sliding delivery. This makes every throw a pure precision challenge with no room for correction. At Milano-Cortina 2026, mixed doubles makes its Paralympic debut, adding a fast-paced two-person format to the traditional team competition.
Wheelchair curling uses the same equipment and scoring as regular curling — the same 19.5 kg (44 lb) granite stones, the same 12-foot diameter house, the same scoring by closest stone to the button. But two rules make it strategically different: no sweeping is allowed, and all throws are made from a stationary seated position using a delivery stick.
Beyond these two rules, the format differs slightly: wheelchair curling games last 8 ends (vs 10 in regular curling), and each team throws 6 stones per end (vs 8). The team that scores in one end does not get the hammer (last-stone advantage) in the next — the non-scoring team retains it. This creates the same strategic hammer dynamic as the regular game.
For a detailed explanation of standard curling scoring, see our How Curling Scoring Works guide.
Sweeping is completely prohibited in wheelchair curling — and this single rule changes everything. In regular curling, two teammates sweep the ice ahead of the stone to control its speed and direction after release; in wheelchair curling, once the stone leaves the delivery stick, its path is fixed. Perfect weight and rotation must be set at the moment of delivery, with no chance for correction.
The reason is simple: wheelchair curling athletes are seated and cannot safely run alongside the stone while sweeping on ice. Rather than adapting sweeping (which would be impractical and hazardous), the sport was designed from the start around the no-sweeping principle — making wheelchair curling a purer precision game than the regular version.
This also equalises the impact of individual shot quality: in regular curling, a slightly off-weight shot can be rescued by good sweeping. In wheelchair curling, every stone is exactly what it is the moment it leaves the delivery stick.
| Element | Regular Curling | Wheelchair Curling |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeping | Yes — 2 sweepers control curl and speed | NO sweeping allowed |
| Delivery | Slide from hack (crouch + push) | Delivery stick from stationary wheelchair |
| Team Size | 4 players | 4 players (mixed gender mandatory) |
| Ends | 10 ends | 8 ends |
| Stones per End | 8 per team | 6 per team (mixed doubles: 5) |
| Strategy Impact | Can correct errors via sweeping | Every throw must be precise from release |
Wheelchair curlers throw using a delivery stick — an extendable pole (approximately 1.5–2 meters long) with a bracket on one end that clips onto the stone's handle. The player remains seated in their wheelchair, aligns the stick, and pushes the stone forward with a controlled arm motion. Because the wheelchair must stay completely stationary during delivery — a teammate holds it from behind to prevent any sliding — all force comes from the arm push alone. No body momentum, no leg drive.
Compare this to regular curling, where the skip slides several meters down the ice in a deep crouch before releasing the stone with their whole body. The wheelchair delivery is physically different but equally demanding: the athlete must judge weight, curl, and direction entirely in the split-second of the arm push, with no subsequent correction possible.
Rotation technique: Like a regular delivery, the player imparts a slight rotation (clockwise or counter-clockwise) to the stone as they push — the handle turns as the stone is released. This rotation determines how much the stone curls across the sheet. Getting both the weight and the rotation right simultaneously is the core skill of wheelchair curling.
Scoring in wheelchair curling is identical to regular curling:
Example: After an end, Team A has stones at positions 1st, 3rd, and 5th closest to the button. Team B has stones at positions 2nd and 4th closest. Team A scores 1 point (only their closest stone counts, since Team B's 2nd-closest stone blocks further counting).
Another example: Team A has the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd closest stones. Team B's closest stone is 4th. Team A scores 3 points — a significant swing.
The team that scores does NOT get the hammer in the next end — it goes to the non-scoring team. This creates a strategic dilemma: sometimes a team will intentionally blank an end (score zero) to retain the hammer for a potential multi-point end.
Mixed doubles wheelchair curling makes its Paralympic debut at Milano-Cortina 2026, adding a second medal event to the wheelchair curling program.
Team composition: One man and one woman per team (2 players total, versus 4 in the team event).
Stones: 5 stones per team per end (versus 6 in the team event). Each player delivers 2 stones plus one additional alternating stone.
Pre-positioned stones: Unlike the team event, each end begins with one stone from each team already placed in strategic positions. This guarantees action from the very first throw and speeds up gameplay.
Power play: Once per game, each team can invoke a power play that repositions the pre-placed stones to one side of the house, opening up different strategic angles. Timing the power play is a critical tactical decision.
Ends: 8 ends (same as team event).
Why it matters: The mixed doubles format brings faster-paced action, makes every stone more impactful (fewer total stones mean each one carries more weight), and increases the importance of individual shot-making since there are only two players sharing the workload.
For the complete Paralympic program overview, see our Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic hub guide.
The absence of sweeping fundamentally transforms curling strategy into a more chess-like game:
Guards become critical — In regular curling, guards (stones placed in front of the house as shields) can be swept past if they're not perfectly placed. In wheelchair curling, guards must be placed with absolute precision because there's no way to adjust them. This makes guard placement arguably the most important skill in the game.
Draw weight must be exact — A "draw" (a throw intended to land at a specific spot) requires perfect weight estimation. In regular curling, sweepers can add 2–4 feet of distance to a light stone. In wheelchair curling, a light stone stays light — it stops short, period. This demands extraordinary consistency in delivery force.
Hit-and-roll replaces draw-and-sweep — Teams use more takeout shots (hitting opponent stones out) and hit-and-roll strategies (removing an opponent stone while your stone rolls to a strategic position) because these shots are less sensitive to weight than precision draws.
Reading the ice — Without sweepers to influence curl, teams must read the ice conditions perfectly. Temperature changes, frost patterns, and previous stone paths all affect how stones behave. The skip (team captain) must be an exceptional ice reader.
Wheelchair curling has the simplest classification in all of Paralympic winter sport: one class. The only requirement is a significant impairment in lower limb or trunk function that necessitates use of a wheelchair for daily mobility.
This contrasts sharply with sports like para alpine skiing (~20 classes) or para snowboard (3 classes). The reasoning is practical: curling doesn't require lower body movement during play — all action comes from the upper body pushing the delivery stick. Variations in lower body impairment don't significantly affect competitive performance, so a single class ensures fair competition without subdivision.
Teams must be mixed gender — at least one man and one woman on the 4-person roster. For the full explanation of Paralympic classification across all winter sports, see our Paralympic Classification Explained guide.
Delivery Sticks — The most critical piece of equipment. Delivery sticks are telescoping poles (approximately 1.5–2 meters long) with a bracket on one end that clips onto the stone's handle. Players push the stone forward by extending their arm while the stick is attached. Different stick designs offer varying levels of control — some have hinged joints for angle adjustment, others are rigid for maximum power transfer. The World Curling Federation approves stick designs for competition use.
Wheelchair Stabilization — During delivery, the wheelchair must remain completely stationary. A teammate positions behind the chair and holds it steady by pressing down on the handles or wheel locks. Any chair movement during delivery results in a burned stone (removed from play). This rule makes teammate positioning as important as delivery technique.
Ice Surface — The same curling sheet is used as in regular competition. However, wheelchair curling athletes sit lower to the ice, which affects their visual perspective when aiming. The delivery angle is different from a standing or sliding position, requiring adapted aiming techniques that players develop through extensive practice.
Stones — Standard granite curling stones (identical to regular curling) weighing approximately 19.5 kg (44 lb) with a maximum circumference of 91.44 cm.
For a complete overview of all Paralympic winter sport equipment, see our Paralympic Classification Explained guide.