Matt Dunstone clinched his inaugural Canadian men’s curling championship title after making several close attempts in recent Brier competitions. The Manitoba team led by Dunstone emerged victorious over four-time champion Kevin Koe from Alberta with a 6-3 win in the final held in St. John’s on Sunday.
This victory marked Dunstone’s third appearance in the final within four years, following previous losses in 2025 and 2023, with third-place finishes in 2021 and 2020. Expressing his elation, the 30-year-old skip highlighted the immense significance of this triumph, emphasizing the lessons learned from past disappointments which allowed him to compete freely and confidently throughout the week.
Dunstone, along with teammates Colton Lott, E.J. Harnden, and Ryan Harnden, will proudly represent Canada at the upcoming men’s world championship scheduled from March 27 to April 4 in Ogden, Utah. Their victory also secures their participation in next year’s Brier in Saskatoon as defending champions.
The successful team will receive a substantial prize of $100,000 from the total prize purse of $300,000. Notably, Dunstone avenged his previous losses to Brad Jacobs by defeating the reigning Olympic champion in the semifinals with a 7-3 scoreline.
Reflecting on their journey, Dunstone acknowledged the challenging months post-Olympic trials but expressed gratitude for the team’s resilience and determination leading up to the Brier. In a tightly contested final match against Koe, a pivotal moment came in the seventh end when Dunstone capitalized on a strategic opportunity to secure a crucial lead.
The intense gameplay saw Dunstone’s remarkable performance, curling at an impressive 94% accuracy, compared to Koe’s 86%. Additionally, the victory marked a significant milestone for Lott, achieving his first Brier title alongside seasoned player E.J. Harnden, who secured his fourth championship.
As E.J. Harnden announced his retirement from competitive curling, the team’s emotional celebration and expressions of camaraderie underscored the profound significance of their shared accomplishments. The 2026 Brier witnessed a record attendance of 143,100 spectators, marking a notable increase compared to previous years.