Heavy Stones Claim 5th Skillet Curling Title
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Every year, Chattanooga comes together for one of its quirkiest and most beloved traditions… Skillet Curling.
Inspired by the Olympic sport but played with cast iron skillets, the seventh annual tournament wrapped up this past Thursday through Sunday afternoon at the First Horizon Pavilion, drawing teams, fans, and plenty of friendly competition.
This year’s championship saw the Heavy Stones defeat the Kraken’s Kilts, claiming their fifth title in tournament history.
The final round made history itself, with the first matchup in the finals going more than 17 rounds and lasting over an hour, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
“It’s the friendly competition and the friends that we’ve made through this tournament the back-and-forth banter that we have of people you know bragging rights bragging right people putting a bounty on our head. You know if we lose, they’ll put up $500 in a donation to the food bank, so I know it’s just fun to come out here every year and support the cause,” (Heavy Stones Team).
Even with intense competition, the event remained a celebration of community and camaraderie.
“Everybody’s getting better and better too and seeing the community come out has been fantastic. You know the people around cheering,” (Heavy Stones Team).
The Heavy Stones once again proved why they are one of the most dominant teams in the tournament.
“Absolutely, come and try to beat us. We’re going for the 6th championship next year in nine years. There’s only been one year that we haven’t been in the championship game so come out support. Try to take us down,” (Heavy Stones Team).
The road to the championship was not easy, with strong competition from returning teams and new challengers.
“A lot of teams have been in this for multiple years now the competition gets harder and harder. We faced a lot of teams this year in the tournament that we have not faced in the tournament years past, so I mean it was very different this year for us to come through and to get where we are,” (Heavy Stones Team).
Fundraising for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank was another major highlight.
Organizers said every beer sold provided 15 meals, and teams also raised additional funds throughout the tournament.
Altogether, those efforts brought in nearly $90,000, enough to supply approximately 200,000 meals for local families in need.
The top fundraising teams, the Skillet Slingers and the Eggheads, teamed up to raise $10,580.20, making a big impact alongside all the other participants.
The tournament continues to be a beloved Chattanooga tradition combining friendly rivalry, record-breaking competition, and support for a vital cause.
Looking ahead, the next Skillet Curling event is a post-tournament party on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Barrelhouse Ballroom.
The evening includes awards, a taco bar dinner, and a benefit concert by The Retrophonics starting at 7:30 PM. A $10 donation is requested at the door, and the event wraps up at 9:00 PM.
