The event was originally scheduled to be held in Thunder Bay, Ontario.[5] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, it was announced that most Curling Canada championships still being held in the 2020–21 curling season would be moved to a centralized "bubble" (similar to that of the NHL as in Edmonton) at Canada Olympic Park. All events were held behind closed doors with no spectators permitted.[6] In addition, due to COVID-19 restrictions and logistics, most provincial playdowns were cancelled, with teams being selected by their respective member associations.
In previous years, a wild card game was played between the top two teams on the Canadian Team Ranking System standings who did not win their provincial championship; the winner of this game was usually granted the final spot in the tournament. However, with many provinces cancelling their provincial championships due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, thus not allowing many teams to compete for a chance to play at the Scotties, Curling Canada opted to include three wild card teams instead of the usual one. These teams directly qualified and did not participate in a play-in game.[20]
For selection, teams must have 3 of 4 returning players from the previous season.
The Northwest Territories vs. Canada match was rescheduled to Monday, February 22, at 8:30 am, as Jo-Ann Rizzo of Team Northwest Territories was experiencing food poisoning symptoms. The three other games took place as regularly scheduled.[22]
Manitoba's win against Newfoundland and Labrador was Jennifer Jones's 153rd career Scotties win, surpassing Colleen Jones's previous record of 152 wins.[23]
The top four teams from each pool advance to the championship pool. All wins and losses earned in the round robin will be carried forward into the championship pool. Wins in tiebreaker games are not carried forward.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many provincial playdowns were cancelled, with member associations electing to send their 2020 champions to the Scotties.
Saskatchewan Scotties Tournament of Hearts: Not held. Saskatchewan officials blocked a proposed bubble. To account for changes in teams between seasons, teams were selected based on both 2019–20 and 2020–21 season performance.[27]
^ abTeam Canada's alternate Krysten Karwacki threw second stones for the last end of Draw 7.
^ abTeam Alberta's alternate Dana Ferguson threw lead stones for the last end of Draw 5 and the last three ends of Draw 17.
^ abTeam Manitoba's alternate Raunora Westcott threw lead stones for the last end of Draw 14 and the last three ends of Draw 16.
^ abTeam Newfoundland and Labrador's alternate Brooke Godsland threw second stones for the last three ends of Draw 16.
^ abcTeam Northern Ontario's alternate Kira Brunton threw lead stones for the last two ends of Draw 7, third stones for the last end of Draw 13 and lead stones for the entire game during Draw 17.
^ abcFor the last end of Draw 15, Nova Scotia's alternate Kim Kelly threw second stones, Jenn Brine threw lead stones and Emma Logan sat out.
^ abTeam Ontario's alternate Danielle Inglis threw lead stones for the last ends of Draws 5 and 21.
^ abTeam Quebec's alternate Florence Boivin threw lead stones for the last seven ends of Draw 10.
^ abTeam Saskatchewan's alternate Amber Holland skipped the team during Draw 20, as Anderson sustained a hip and leg injury prior to the game.
^ abIn the eighth end of Draw 12, Nunavut's Sadie Pinksen only threw one stone during her third rocks, with Lori Eddy accidentally throwing the second. Due to this, Pinksen had to throw the last stone of the eighth and ninth ends to make up for her missed shot.
^ abNunavut's Sadie Pinksen and Alison Griffin swapped positions during Draw 2. Griffin threw third rocks while Pinksen threw second.
^ abTeam Yukon's alternate Darlene Gammel threw lead stones for the first five ends of Draw 17. Regular lead Laura Williamson than threw lead stones for the remaining three ends.
