On Saturday, March 31, the stars will be shining during the daylight hours, both inside and outside the Orleans Arena.

 

Members of Team John Shuster, Olympic curling gold medal winners at PyeongChang 2018, will be there to throw the ceremonial first rock at the Opening Ceremonies of the 361° World Men’s Curling Championship.

 

Lead-up to the ceremonies will be the traditional Grand March, featuring all thirteen of the participating countries, along with a throng of fans, all making their way en masse from the Orleans Hotel and Casino to the Orleans Arena.

 

The Opening Ceremonies do not require a ticket, and are therefore free to the general public.  Also free to the public, will be a Team USA Pep Rally following the opening ceremonies.  Shuster, along with team mates Matt Hamilton and Joe Polo…along with 2018 Team USA members Greg Persinger, Rich Ruohonen, Colin Hufman and Phil Tilker will all take the stage for this momentous occasion, surely a first for world curling.

 

Start times are 10:15 am for the Grand March, 11:00 am for the Opening Ceremonies and 12:15 pm for the Pep Rally, which will take place at the Orleans pool area.

 

To add to the excitement, Team Shuster will also be back a week later, on championship weekend for an autograph session on Saturday, April 7, as well as a “live” up close and personal interview.  Admission for those events will be included with any ticket for the Saturday afternoon draw-session of curling.

 

Since Shuster’s win, curling interest has spiked across the country, particularly in sports-destination cities like Las Vegas.  The resulting spike in ticket sales for this event has organizers feeling optimistic.  “We have had a good base of sales from Canada for several months and now it’s picking up from all corners of America and the local market”, said Jon Killoran, event manager.  “I even feel like the ice is beginning to tilt a little bit for Team USA, in terms of which country is going to have home crowd advantage.  But we have room for loads more!”

 

The 361° World Men’s Curling Championship runs from March 31 to April 8 with tickets priced from just $25 for single draw and 4 day mini packs start at $199.  All tickets can be purchased at the Orleans Arena Box Office, or online at LasVegasCurling.rocks.