U.S. STEEL NAMED TITLE SPONSOR OF 2027 SENIOR MEN’S & WOMEN’S NATIONALS IN EVELETH
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, October 8, 2026] — USA Curling is pleased to announce that United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel) will be the title sponsor of the 2027 Senior Men’s & Women’s National Championships, scheduled for February 7-14 at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, Minnesota.
The winners of this championship advance to represent the United States at the World Senior Curling Championships. In 2026, Team Farbelow (Mike Farbelow, Rich Ruohonen, Bill Stopera, Darren Lehto) was Team USA and captured the world men’s title, while Team Smith (Margie Smith, Norma O’Leary, Shelly Kinney, Shelly Kosal) played in the women’s division and narrowly missed out on a bronze medal.
USA Curling expects a large field of more than forty teams, all with players age 50 and older, to travel to the Iron Range. The level of play on the ice will be high, while competitors in this event are known for taking in all that the host area offers.
“U. S. Steel is honored to support this national event and welcomes visitors from around the country to Minnesota’s Iron Range,” said John Gordon, Senior Vice President — Raw Materials & Sustainable Resources. “We have a long history in the area, and we are proud to be a part of showing people all that makes northern Minnesota a great place to live and visit.”
“This is a cornerstone championship for USA Curling, featuring elite-level competition while also celebrating the lifetime nature of our sport,” noted USA Curling CEO Dean Gemmell. “I can think of no better place to bring American curlers and their fans together than at Curl Mesabi on the Iron Range, and the support of U. S. Steel will make this a first-class event and ensure that people around the country see all that the region has to offer.”
Team Farbelow’s Ruohonen not only won gold at the World Senior Men’s Championship, he was the Alternate on Team USA at the 2026 Olympic Games. The native of the Iron Range and his teammates will be looking to win their fourth straight national title.
Gemmell added, “Following a successful Pan Continental Championship in 2025, it has been great to see U. S. Steel, the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board, and many others in the region continue to step up to support curling, recognizing its rich history in the area and its ability to strengthen community connections. We are truly grateful for their support and can’t wait for this year’s Senior Nationals.”
Contact Information:
Media Inquiries: Jenna Burchesky — Jenna.Burchesky@usacurling.org
Sponsorship Inquiries: Peter Drakoulias — Peter.Drakoulias@usacurling.org
U.S. Steel Inquiries: Andrew Fulton — adfulton@uss.com
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
