Brad Gushue Announces Retirement, Declines Rock League Offer

Canadian curling legend Brad Gushue has confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 season, opting not to participate in the upcoming Rock League. Gushue announced his decision during a conference call on Thursday, noting his deliberations with The Curling Group regarding the new professional league.

During discussions last summer, representatives from The Curling Group approached Gushue and his wife with a proposal for the Rock League, which aims to feature six elite mixed-gender franchises in a multi-format competition. The inaugural season is set to launch in April and will span six weeks across Canada, the U.S., and Europe. Gushue indicated that while he considered the offer seriously, it ultimately did not meet his expectations.

“I needed something that would have been compelling enough for me to continue to curl,” Gushue explained. He expressed that his thoughts were already shifting toward retirement during the meeting, particularly with the traditional men’s curling season concluding just after the World Championship, scheduled for March 28-April 5, 2026.

The renowned skip, who hails from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, emphasized that he did not feel sufficiently excited about the Rock League to extend his career. “That’s probably overly blunt and I apologize for that, but I just never felt comfortable enough with it,” he said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for The Curling Group confirmed that an offer was made to Gushue but acknowledged that he declined to participate. “We wish him nothing but the best in retirement,” the spokesperson noted. This decision surprised many fans and experts, as Gushue is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Canadian curling.

As Gushue prepares for his final season, he will kick off his competitive run at the AMJ Masters event next week in London, Ontario. He expressed support for the Rock League, stating, “I certainly wish the Rock League and The Curling Group the best of success. I think it’s an important piece of curling going forward.”

The Curling Group plans to announce the Rock League’s rosters, dates, and locations in the coming months. As Gushue approaches his farewell season, the curling community eagerly anticipates his final performances while also looking ahead to the future of the sport in the professional arena.