EAGAN, Minn. — The U.S. Curling team has taken their training to the Minnesota Vikings’ Training Haus, preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics slated to take place in Milan Cortina.

This cutting-edge facility, usually designated for professional football athletes, is now home to around 22 to 25 Olympic curlers, as stated by Mike Gulenchyn, who oversees sports science for USA Curling.

“Being in peak physical condition directly translates to improved performance on the ice,” Gulenchyn remarked.

Gone are the days when curling was seen as a leisurely sport. It now requires rigorous physical fitness, with team members lifting weights alongside NFL athletes to match their training intensity.

“They’ll be next to me and about to grab 100-pound dumbbells, and I’m like, maybe I’ll go up a little bit and grab a 50,” said Danny Casper of the U.S. Curling team.

Taylor Anderson-Heide, a member of Team Peterson, noted the size difference between curlers and football players. “They are just giant. You just want to get out of their way so you don’t get run over,” she said.

The partnership between USA Curling and the Vikings began after the U.S. men’s team won its first Olympic gold medal in 2018, bringing new attention to the sport.

“Minnesota is the place to be. The Midwest is the place to be for curling,” said Jenna Burchesky, director of marketing at USA Curling. “For athletes who are trying to push to the next level, the resources out here are unmatched anywhere else.”

The United States has already secured spots for its men’s, women’s and mixed doubles teams for the 2026 Games.