Lease Deal Group Hyvinkää Open 2026 - Rules

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

following information for the tournament:

1. Rules: The rules for competition are the current World Curling Federation’s ‘The Rules of Curling and Rules of Competition’. Any deviation from those rules will be indicated in this Document or by the Chief Umpire before the start of the tournament. In case of extraordinary circumstances, the CU will take the decisions together with the OC.

2. System of play: Round Robin + Quarter Finals + Semi Finals + Finals.

After Round Robin the ranking for teams will be based on their place in the group and DSC score only (not number of wins). (DSC of 1st place teams compared with each other for ranks 1-3, 2nd place for ranks 4-6, 3rd for 7-9). Please notice: 1st qualifies directly to SF! Higher ranked teams get to choose hammer or color in all play-off games. QF1: 2v7; QF2: 3v6; QF3: 4v5. SF: 1st ranked team plays the winner from game 4v5.

3. Games: All games will be scheduled for 8 ends. Extra end(s) will decide tied games. A minimum of 6 ends must be completed in all games. 

4. Pre-Game Practice: There will be seven (7) minutes of practice for each team before each game, followed by two (2) LSD shots (clockwise & counterclockwise). First practice starts 20 minutes before the scheduled game time. The team marked first in the schedule will have the first practice and use red stones. Second practice will start when the LSD-s for 1st practice are measured.

5. Last Stone Draw: At the conclusion of each team’s pre-game practice, two stones will be delivered to the tee at the home end, by different players – the first stone with a clockwise and the second with a counterclockwise rotation. 1 minute for each stone. Both players need to throw at least two with both rotations. Sweeping is allowed.

6. Draw Shot Challenge (DSC): The DSC is the average distance of all the individual Last Stone Draw stones (excluding the least favourable one), which were delivered by a team during round robin. If the DSCs are equal, then the team with the best non–equal counting LSD receives the higher ranking. DSC ranking will be shown in https://www.curling.fi/en/competitions/leagues/71928/dsc

7. Game Timing: Each team shall receive 22 minutes of thinking time. This time is recorded, and visible to the teams and coaches throughout the game. When extra ends are required, the game clocks are reset, and each team receives 3 minutes of thinking time for each extra end. In case of timing corrections, the teams and their coaches will be notified by the CU. The corrections will be made according to the WCF policy.

8. “Positioned” stones: For every round of games there are 2 stones from each colour marked with a mark to be used as “positioned” stones. The stone numbers used as “positioned” stones are rotating. These stones are to be put in place during the break 

between ends by the teams in positions A and B. Placement of Position A will be marked on the board in the arena. Break time 1:30. If the team is delaying with the placement of their stone, their game time will be started.

9. Spare stone: For every end there will be one stone for each team not to be used in that end. The spare stone may be changed for every end. 

10. Scoreboards: After every end the team who did not score is responsible for adjusting the score on the scoreboard!

11. Measures: Players may perform measures by themselves. Please signal if you need help from the umpire.

12. Time-Outs and Breaks during the Games: Time clocks will be used, and team time-outs and technical time-outs may be called. Travel time for the HOME end is 45 seconds. Travel time for the AWAY end is 70 seconds. When you are playing in sheet B, coach needs curling shoes to enter away end. 

Team Time-Outs – signal “T“ towards the timer and the umpire. 

Technical Time-Out – signal “X“ towards the timing bench. A technical time-out may be called by a team to request a ruling, for an injury, or in other extenuating circumstances according to WCF policy.

All breaks between ends are 1:30, no mid-game break. Teams can communicate with their coach or any other team official during those breaks. Coach bench is located in second floor cafeteria so there is no possibility to talk with the team while other team is throwing. Play may commence before the end of the break if both teams are ready.

13. Equipment/ Clothing / Kit Bags: No equipment shall be left unattended anywhere on the ice surface. Please place all items (i.e grippers) on the backboards/benches at the ends of the curling rink.Kit bags may be stored overnight at the curling arena.

14. Hog line violations: The current document is the only and final warning for the hog line violations. CU will observe the hog line at different times. Stones must be clearly released before the line. In case of a violation, the stone will be removed according to the WCF rules

15. Position stones
Round 1 Thu 18:00 1&2
Round 2 Thu 20:30 3&4
Round 3 Fri 09:30 5&6
Round 4 Fri 12:00 7&8
Round 5 Fri 14:30 1&2
Round 6 Fri 17:30 3&4
Round 7 Fri 20:00 5&6
Round 8 Sat 09:00 7&8
Round 9 Sat 11:30 1&2
Round 10 Sat 14:00 3&4
Round 11 Sat 17:30 Teams choose
Round 12 Sat 20::00 Teams choose
Round 13 Sun 09::00 Teams choose
Round 14 Sun 11:30 Teams choose