The Winter Olympics The games have begun, and once again the game of curling is set to draw many new converts.

Although dominated by Sweden, Canada, Switzerland, and Scotland, many eyes during the 2026 Winter Olympics will be included in the team from the host country Italy thanks to Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner, the reigning Olympic and world curling champion in mixed doubles.

Regardless of which country takes the gold, the real focus during this year’s Olympics may be the cool gadgets used by curlers. Seemingly similar to the game of shuffleboard played with brooms and rocks, curling has seen some interesting developments in the equipment used on the ice.

In addition to raw skill and strategy, here’s everything you need to know about the state of the game.

Scottish Rocks

Almost every curling stone—the round stone that slides on ice—comes from the same place: Ailsa Craig. The 99-hectare island site in the Firth of Clyde inlet on the west coast of Scotland is known for its granite, and by extension its ability to supply enough of it to curlers around the world.

Each stone must weigh between 19.96 and 17.24 kilograms and is made from one of two types of Scottish granite, common green and blue hone. These two types are the most resistant to heat and humidity and to the cracks and condensation that form thanks to the 28 meters of ice that the stones slide during competitions.

The stones used in the Olympics, as well as the World Championships, were made by Kays in Scotland. Many curling stones also come from Canadian Curling Stone. (The sport has seen a recent surge in popularity in Canada.) Both companies manufacture the stones using a painstaking process of grinding and polishing.

Broom Boom

In addition to stones, the main tools needed for curling are brooms and shoes—this is where the improvements in grip tools really come into play. For one, there are many sensors and microchips that allow players to manage the power of their throws.

For another, there are new and improved brooms that allow sweepers to maximize their skills. Above all, what curlers need to work a broom is agility, physicality, and coordination. But more than that, good tools don’t hurt.

“Broom technology continues to be a major goal because the physical demands of the sport continue to evolve, and one of the biggest challenges is finding the right balance between weight, strength, and effective energy transfer,” said Dale Matchett, general manager of curling equipment company BalancePlus.

As with any type of sports equipment, the quality depends on how much a team or player is willing to spend. Carbon fiber brooms are best for their combination of strength and lightness. Composite fiber is good for midrange players. Fiberglass is the cheapest option. The broom’s handle and handle factor in its weight and sweeping efficiency.