If the event is able to proceed, the Manitoba men's and women's provincial championships will certainly have a different feeling to it.

Curl Manitoba has announced that the Viterra Championships (men's event) will be played with 16 teams compared to the normal 32. The Scotties Tournament of Hearts (women's event) will be played with just eight teams, down from the normal 12.

Both events will also join forces as the Selkirk Recreational Complex will play host to both the men's and women's events.

Craig Baker is the Executive Director of Curl Manitoba and he explains the decision to trim the number of teams.

"By reducing from 32 to 16, we're still able to keep the double-knockout format," said Baker. "By reducing from 12 to eight, we're also able to keep the regional representation and that's important on both the men's and women's sides."

The format for the women's event will be a full round-robin leading up to the playoffs. The event will run from February 2-7 and the winner from each event will automatically earn a berth to the national championships which will take place in Calgary in a "bubble". 

Although there may be some fans in the stands, attendance will without a doubt be down from previous years, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to catch the action. Curl Manitoba has said there will be additional live streams and coverage of the event.

"We want to make sure Manitobans have the ability to watch this event, even if they're not in the stands," ended Baker. "We will release more details in the near future when we get the green light as far as hosting the event."