How does wheelchair mixed doubles work?
I · Intermediate · Sticks, mixed doubles and eligibility · 3 of 3A wheelchair mixed doubles team is one man and one woman, with no alternates; a team without both players for the whole game forfeits it. It follows the mixed doubles rules, except that there is no sweeping. Electric wheelchairs are allowed only for athletes who use one every day. Each team has 26 minutes of thinking time.
How it works
- Team: one man, one woman.
- Alternates: none.
- Missing player: forfeit.
- Rules: mixed doubles, R17.
- Sweeping: none.
- Electric chairs: daily users only.
- Thinking time: 26 minutes.
- Mid-game break: 7 minutes.
The glossary has the wheelchair mixed doubles, the wheelchair mixed doubles play, the electric wheelchairs, the power play break, the thinking time and the delay in starting.
Tricky cases
Can a player use an electric chair for the game only?
No.
How many delivery sticks may a pair bring?
Two.
How long is an extra end's thinking time?
4 minutes.
Is there a power play?
Yes, as in mixed doubles.
Why the rule exists
Allowing electric chairs only for daily users stops players choosing one for advantage.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Team | Two players | R R15(a) |
| Sweeping | None | R R15(b) |
| Electric chair | Daily users | R R15(c) |
From the rule book
World Curling, The Rules of Curling and Rules of Competition (1 September 2026), rules R15, R17 and C6. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: World Curling Rules, Wheelchair Curling Policy and Classification Rules.